Suspension

[haux]

I am interested in replacing my suspension stuffs before the end of the year. My car mileage is in my signature. After taking a ride in my car with my dad, he mentioned that he can definitely notice my bad shocks. I think I've just gotten used to them, so I don't even remember how my car felt at 70k miles.

If I wanted to replace both my front and rear shocks, what should I replace exactly? I know there are springs... there's also some steering bar? I've also heard of something called a sway bar, not even sure what that does. My car also makes a noise while turning at higher speeds. Such as ... 65mph curves on the highway. It sounds like a Podracer from StarWars, if you know what I mean. Does the front/rear axle need replacing?

Advice will be appreciated.

[SexieWASD]

I don't know what to tell you about the pod racer sounds, lol, maybe your car just gets too excited.

Anyway, if your just looking for replacements, some Monroe quick struts from your local auto parts chain store will do fine, but if your looking for an upgrade that really is a personal preference sort of thing. We would need to know how YOU want your car to handle, what you think is bad about the handling, then we can give you some suggestions. There isn't that much in the way of options for our cars without dropping them a bit though. It's sad I know.

The swaybars, one front, and one in the rear help control body roll in corners. When the strut on the outside of the turn compresses due to body roll the swaybar pulls the strut on the opposite side down a bit leveling out the car (just a bit, not completely).

The rear swaybar is a bit undersized in stock form which helps the car to understeer, this is for safety reasons, because people who know nothing about driving find understeer more easy to predict, and they tend to hit the brakes with a bit of oversteer, sending the car into a spin.

[haux]

As far as fully assembled shocks go, I'm seeing brands on eBay I've never heard of... KYC, Gabriel, Tokico. Are any of these good, or better than Monroe? The prices I'm noticing there appear to be better than RockAuto.

I'm not sure what you mean by what kind of performance I want. As you can see this car has some pretty high mileage. I wouldn't want to invest a lot of money into it. I'd simply want to replace the existing parts, not make any performance modifications. Unless it's something that there is already a setup for... and I would just need to buy the part and put it on? Are there brands that aren't much more expensive and provide for better performance?

[JohnGD]

The easiest is to swap them out with Monroe Quick Struts. These have all new components.

Rubber components deteriorate over time, so you need to inspect them and replace if necessary. The mounts may be defective from the factory and can cause clunking noises if they were never changed. Stabilizer bar bushings and links are easy to do.

I personally like Gabriel Ultras over Monroes for typical driving. But people tend to think Monroes are ok too.

Originally Posted by haux

I am interested in replacing my suspension stuffs before the end of the year. My car mileage is in my signature. After taking a ride in my car with my dad, he mentioned that he can definitely notice my bad shocks. I think I've just gotten used to them, so I don't even remember how my car felt at 70k miles.

If I wanted to replace both my front and rear shocks, what should I replace exactly? I know there are springs... there's also some steering bar? I've also heard of something called a sway bar, not even sure what that does. My car also makes a noise while turning at higher speeds. Such as ... 65mph curves on the highway. It sounds like a Podracer from StarWars, if you know what I mean. Does the front/rear axle need replacing?

Advice will be appreciated.

[JohnGD]

I get Gabriel Ultras (2003 Popular Mechanics Editor's Choice Award) at Autozone, they often run buy-3-get-1-free. These are ok for typical driving or I'll go Bilstein. The advantage of getting local is that you can easily take them back for warranty claims. Never tried it and not sure if these cover normal wear and tear.

http://www.gabriel.com/gforce1/eng/default.htm

I don't care for Monroe SensaTrac's "grooved piston rod". I think it's not a very good design, but some seem to like the ride.

I'd stay away from "Keep Your Bilsteins" aka KYBs. These old tech progressively dampened struts like to blow their seals under hard driving because of the old progressive design (not sure if they changed it).

Tokicos seem to get good reviews in tuner circles, but harder to locate in stores locally. Feel like progressively dampened as well but supposedly better than KYBs.

And I don't think the excellent Bilstein is available for this model year.

Originally Posted by haux

As far as fully assembled shocks go, I'm seeing brands on eBay I've never heard of... KYC, Gabriel, Tokico. Are any of these good, or better than Monroe? The prices I'm noticing there appear to be better than RockAuto.

I'm not sure what you mean by what kind of performance I want. As you can see this car has some pretty high mileage. I wouldn't want to invest a lot of money into it. I'd simply want to replace the existing parts, not make any performance modifications. Unless it's something that there is already a setup for... and I would just need to buy the part and put it on? Are there brands that aren't much more expensive and provide for better performance?

[JohnGD]

Find an empty parking lot with speed bumps. Taller the better. Go over them perpendicular and at an angle. See if the noise changes.

If more noise at an angle but less at perpendicular look at sway bar links/bushings.

Originally Posted by haux

I've also heard of something called a sway bar, not even sure what that does. My car also makes a noise while turning at higher speeds. Such as ... 65mph curves on the highway. It sounds like a Podracer from StarWars, if you know what I mean. Does the front/rear axle need replacing?

Advice will be appreciated.

[whip_cracker]

In Australia we typically use Monroe or KYB... then go for Coilovers.

I recommend looking into Boge struts (they come out on Audis, BMWs and Porsches etc stock). They sell them here in Australia through all the Fulcrum dealers - made much better than KYB and Monroe. Also when replacing suspension, can replace bushings as needed. The normal rubber ones are crap, should look into polyurethane bushings if you can get them over there.

I'm gonna be looking into Boge struts and king springs soon enough. There are Boge struts that are actually MADE for lowered springs.

[haux]

So, let's say I decided to get these -> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=110442276188

They are Gabriel, but doesn't mention anything about Ultra. So I'm guessing it's a different model?

These types of sets appear to be relatively inexpensive. But since they are just the shocks... I'm guessing I will have to buy other components as well. Such as the bellows.

Should I replace the springs as well? And the mounts? Do brands matter when it comes to those...

[carsrus]

Originally Posted by haux

Should I replace the springs as well? And the mounts? Do brands matter when it comes to those...

At that kind of mileage if everything is original the quick struts woudl be your best option. But if your doing all the work yourself and you cant hear any rattling noise coming form the suspension now just change out the struts and see how it goes. If your not not 100% satisfied with jut the strut change you can jsut change the parts later on, the job isn't to bad diy.

Sway bar bushing are easy, take off the rear wheels and 2 bolts are holding them down on each side. Theres a tutorial on here. The bushing only cost 12$.

[DAT RICE]

When do you know it's ideal to replace shocks? Also, i just changed the bushings, no clunking sounds now! It was hard to put them back on! When should i replace end links? I really just want to replace anything rubber, my Camry hasn't been updated at all till now. Btw thanks for the little cheap DIYs friends.

[JohnGD]

Heard Boge is good too. But those are hard to find. Right, I wouldn't compare Boge and Bilsteins with rock bottom KYBs.

Originally Posted by whip_cracker

I recommend looking into Boge struts (they come out on Audis, BMWs and Porsches etc stock). They sell them here in Australia through all the Fulcrum dealers - made much better than KYB and Monroe.

[JohnGD]

No, those are low end Gabriels. There are also low end Monroes called Monroe-matic. Basically you don't want anything low end or chain-store brand. Check out your local Autozone's ad. I think many places are running buy-3-get-1-free.

Now if you have more rubber components wearing out, the cheapest and fastest would be the Monroe Quick Strut. Otherwise when you add up all the parts you'll end up paying more. So even if I don't like SensaTrac I'd still steer people to Quick Strut for those reasons.

However, compressing springs is a good workout. And you can borrow the tools using free loaner tool programs at many parts stores.

Originally Posted by haux

So, let's say I decided to get these -> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110442276188

They are Gabriel, but doesn't mention anything about Ultra. So I'm guessing it's a different model?

These types of sets appear to be relatively inexpensive. But since they are just the shocks... I'm guessing I will have to buy other components as well. Such as the bellows.

Should I replace the springs as well? And the mounts? Do brands matter when it comes to those...

[whip_cracker]

Originally Posted by JohnGD

Heard Boge is good too. But those are hard to find. Right, I wouldn't compare Boge and Bilsteins with rock bottom KYBs.

Spose you have a point about availability - Sachs/Boge have teamed up with Fulcrum (one of the best suspension shops in Australia) and can get them through Fulcrum dealers.

My advice - if you can source them - get them

[haux]

So, I've done a little bit of research... Gabriel Ultra ReadyMount's from Autozone will run me $900 after tax. The buy three get one free rebate will probably be for one of the cheaper back shocks. After rebate, I estimate the total cost at about $720.

As for getting some better brands off eBay for example...
Tokico's, $402.03 shipped.
Eibach ProKit Springs, $250.88 shipped.

From RockAuto...
Raybesto front/rear strut mounts and bellows, $211.82 shipped.

For a total of $864.73.

Both estimates appear a bit high, although I suppose I could do one or the other.

I just called a local LKQ Auto Parts place, and they have all four struts/shocks off of a 2000 camry with approximately 80,000 miles. They're asking $50 for each. These are fully assembled right off the vehicle.

Whatever condition shocks may be at 80,000 miles, I can assume they will be in much better shape than mine at 333,000 miles.

What are your guys' thoughts about that?

[JohnGD]

That generation has problems with front mounts. (The next generation has noise problems with rear mounts.) They can cause clunking noises.

One would think 80K struts are better than 300+K mile struts. Unless the those have bad mounts or busted rod seals. You can buy just two to try out? But can be out $100 if those are leaking.

Say with Autozone Gabriel Ultras and their free loaner tool program:

1. Get two front mounts (2x $44 Raybestos on rockauto.com) and four struts. Repack your own bearings will save you up to $26 both sides (less grease, ~$5). But it may be best to get Raybestos mounts with bearings just in case. Get a $65 Autozone rebate on the struts. This option is about $283 (+tax/shipping).

2. (Basically #1 in stages.) Getting just the front mounts (2x $44) and front struts (2x$65). Then wait on the rears for now. Repack your own bearings will save you up to $26 both sides (less grease, ~$5). If other rubber parts are fine then this option is about $220 (+tax/shipping). Skip the rears if you find you don't have to change them (for now).

Add rears for another ~$130. A total of $350 (+tax/shipping) with above. You may not get the rebate this way. Not as good a deal as #1.

3. Or maybe get new ReadyMounts for the fronts (~$440), and just get struts for the rears (~$130)? Not sure if you'll get rebate this way, but if not then the rear struts can wait? This option is about $570 (+tax).

You'll have to add lower spring seat rubbers, strut bumpers, dust boots if those go bad. (The front/rear dust boots include integral upper spring seat insulators; the rear boots come with the mounts.) So take a peek into the wheel well and get an idea of the condition of the rubber parts the best you visually can. (But be prepared to buy new rubber parts if needed). If you need boots/upper insulator get the integral ones from the dealer. You're going to need an alignment swapping out the fronts, don't think you need one with the rears, not sure.

Originally Posted by haux

So, I've done a little bit of research... Gabriel Ultra ReadyMount's from Autozone will run me $900 after tax. The buy three get one free rebate will probably be for one of the cheaper back shocks. After rebate, I estimate the total cost at about $720.

As for getting some better brands off eBay for example...
Tokico's, $402.03 shipped.
Eibach ProKit Springs, $250.88 shipped.

From RockAuto...
Raybesto front/rear strut mounts and bellows, $211.82 shipped.

For a total of $864.73.

Both estimates appear a bit high, although I suppose I could do one or the other.

I just called a local LKQ Auto Parts place, and they have all four struts/shocks off of a 2000 camry with approximately 80,000 miles. They're asking $50 for each. These are fully assembled right off the vehicle.

Whatever condition shocks may be at 80,000 miles, I can assume they will be in much better shape than mine at 333,000 miles.

What are your guys' thoughts about that?