3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
Makes a thumping sound when going over rough roads. The spare tire is secure and so is the exhaust. Nothing is hanging from the under side. What might the problem and fix be?
It could be worn bushings on the suspension system causing the metal to clunk together, that'd be the easiest thing to check first. Check for cracks and hardened or broken rubber on any moving parts/joints and replace as necessary.
Jack up the rear of the car and support it safely on jackstands. Now get under the car and check the sway bar bushings by trying to move the sawy bar up and down. See if you can reproduce the noise. Next check the sway bar end links for tightness and see if one of them is making the noise. Next grab hold of each tires at 3:00 and 9:00 and try to move them side to side. If you hear the nosie you have a bad rear lateral control rod. If it's one of the rods, it's most likely the rear one of the two on each side. If you still can't reproduce the noise, then it is most likely the upper strut mounts. They are a common problem area on 97-99 Camrys.
I have a same problem on my 99 camry... my mechanic said i needed new struts in the back
That could be true on the needing struts, but don't think that's gonna fix the problem/noise for sure. I've replaced mine all the way around, and the bumping noise is atrocious. Toyo service guy I know told me something about the tow link might have slop in it. I know it's on the drivers side, just haven't had the time to really get in there and take a really good look at it. So, with that said, if the mechanic says it's the struts, ask for a guarantee that the struts will fix the noise.....
That could be true on the needing struts, but don't think that's gonna fix the problem/noise for sure. I've replaced mine all the way around, and the bumping noise is atrocious. Toyo service guy I know told me something about the tow link might have slop in it. I know it's on the drivers side, just haven't had the time to really get in there and take a really good look at it. So, with that said, if the mechanic says it's the struts, ask for a guarantee that the struts will fix the noise.....
Also ... new struts = big money, new shocks = less money, does your mechanic mean struts or shocks?
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85 LE 2SE 500K km - died trying to push a semi off the road
95 LE 5SFE 530K km, 530K km changed engine, 549K km second engine died, now 554K Km running with a 98 5SFE block and head
01 XLE V6 310K km
Also ... new struts = big money, new shocks = less money, does your mechanic mean struts or shocks?
The 99's take shocks?? To the best of my knowledge, they all take struts front and rear. My '99 Solara and both '00 Camry's have struts in the rear. The CE has shocks?? Or replaceable cartridges?
The 99's take shocks?? To the best of my knowledge, they all take struts front and rear. My '99 Solara and both '00 Camry's have struts in the rear. The CE has shocks?? Or replaceable cartridges?
Gen 3 & 4 all use struts front and rear regardless of sub-model. Also if you replace any of them, it's highly recommended you replace the mounts too so the cost will go higher for parts. Rear mounts are the same for left and right while the front are different for left and right side, also rear mounts are cheaper than the front.
The 99's take shocks?? To the best of my knowledge, they all take struts front and rear. My '99 Solara and both '00 Camry's have struts in the rear. The CE has shocks?? Or replaceable cartridges?
Doesn't the strut include an internal shock (cartridge) that is serviceable by removing and replacing it? The strut housing, spring, boots, insulators, etc. may not need replacing - just the shock.
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85 LE 2SE 500K km - died trying to push a semi off the road
95 LE 5SFE 530K km, 530K km changed engine, 549K km second engine died, now 554K Km running with a 98 5SFE block and head
01 XLE V6 310K km
Doesn't the strut include an internal shock (cartridge) that is serviceable by removing and replacing it? The strut housing, spring, boots, insulators, etc. may not need replacing - just the shock.
Nope, struts have the spring seat welded onto it and for the camry the endlink mounts are welded on too. The front struts itself has the "steering knuckle" welded on and turns with the wheel. Rear has something similar that the whole wheel and brake assembly bolts onto. So it's all one piece for these struts.You're probably thinking about cars that have the strut designed like a shock where the bottom mounts like a shock would.
There are two different names for these parts because of the different design. Struts are designed to have the spring installed onto it, so it's like a single unit and replacing the strut requires removal of the spring. On the other hand, cars with shocks don't have the springs mounted on it and can be removed leaving the spring in the car.
The rubber boots and insulators and spring you're right about.
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