Shocks 1999 CSI V6 Australia.

[ednik]

Hi,

I've had my Camry CSI 1999 V6 (Aus) since December 2009 and it's got 192000km on the clock.

I put it in for a Major service in January 2010 and one of the items on the vehicle report was "Shock Absorbers Due For renewal".

For the past month or so I've noticed that the Front Driver side "squeaks" or "crunches" a little over road bumps. Also I notice this first thing when reversing out of the house each morning for the work drive.

I've bounced each corner of the car and all seem to stablise after one bounce, but the squeaking does come from the driver side.

I've jacked up the car and spun front wheels in both direction and they spin freely with no crunching so I kinda ruled out bearings for the crunching noise.

Can I get away with just replacing the two front shocks (or just just driver side) ? Should I get this done asap or can I ride it out for a while with no harm ?

Thanks
N.

[jordan84]

I have the same problem with mine, 99 camry v6 with 206k. It comes from the driver front and happens only in the morning and soon goes away. Curious as what it is, waiting for responses from people.
Thanks,
Ryan

[rusty9]

You are better off replacing them in pairs. the squeaking could be caused by old spring insulators or mounts, which should be replaced along with the struts considering the milage.

[2win2rbo]

You have to change the shocks if they are leaking. If you have to you must change both as stock shocks are usually fluid filled and aftermarket ones are usually gas filled.

Monroe GT Gas for the Camry is a popular trans-Tasman replacement due to the value for money. If you want to lower the car, you can go with the GT Sport.

I'm not sure if Gabriel has shock absorbers for your Camry. Supercheapauto Australia has a promo for Gabriel shocks currently.

[ednik]

Hey Jordan84, thanks for the post, was thinking that it could only be me in the world with my camry front driver squeak problem!! Lately though Im sure I heard the left squeak too.

Thanks for the heads up on the shocks info too rusty9 and 2win2rbo.

I've been googling around on this one and apparently the upper strut mounts are a known problem on the camry 97 up but its a bummer that I can't prove that without getting hit hard with expensive labour.

I've checked my struts too and there are no visible oil staining either. But then again I dont know if they have been replaced since new.

I'm not sure where to go with this one guys - Im tempted to replace the front struts and upper mounts but this wont be cheap and I obviously don't want to replace something I don't need. I also dont want it all to get worse either and end up with a big headache on my hands.

[AfterBurner_1]

as a precution I'd take into a workshop and put on a hoist and check all of you front suspension. ensure that all your bushes are nice and tight, with next to no movement. ensure that they ar e also not cracked or damaged.

have a close look at your strut tower enure again that all applicable bushings and such are in order.

by the amount of km's it done I'd say also have a look at the CV's as they be up for replacement soon.

also check out the innerguard trim some times he clips fails and the guard can catch or be rattled around thanks to the movement of air under and around your car whilst driving.

I'd also be going to the local version of coventry fasteners. to see wat they have. I think Subarus and Nissan/Nismo use KYB's as stock fitment.

[eevee11]

Yes, the upper strut mounts are a weak spot and it sounds like they are bad on your car. Especially if noisy when cold only. Keep in mind people drive with bad mounts for months even years, the primary concern with this particular defect is the noise. If front end handling starts to get loose or tires start to show premature or unusual wear then you want to get right on it, but honestly this is unlikely to become a problem from bad strut mounts. Usually they are just noisy.

The reason I say all this is because it sounds like the struts are still in pretty good shape. But replacing the mounts is exactly the same amount of labor as the entire strut. So my advice would be (unless you do labor yourself) whenever you go in there, do both the struts and mounts, as well as insulators etc - do a complete strut tower refresh. Don't replace just one part, you'll be in there for the other soon enough.

If you don't mind the noise in the morning and the car handles well, wait it out. But do check all the other bushings etc as suggested above, at 190k and 10+ years keep an eye on suspension.

[jordan84]

Thanks to all who responded, from forums and other research, the culprit seems to be the upper strut mounts as this is a common problem in gen 3 camry's. I will be replacing them myself here within the next month or so, I will update as to how or if it solved the problem. Recently replaced blower motor resistor and almost all new exhaust on car, hoping after I do the strut tower mounts and some bushings, the car will be good to around 350k.
Thanks,
Ryan

[ednik]

Thank's for the heads-up on this one eevee11, some nice info. Dont forget to come back with the results Ryan, be interesting to see if your strut job smooths this one out if I get in anything back in the meantime I'll post up.

Cheers to all!

[ednik]

Update - replaced front struts and top mounts last week and crunching/squeek doesnt seem to be there now. Id normally here it at least twice a week. Any news on your strut job Ryan ?

[jordan84]

Went to Napa and got two quickstruts and new sway bar end links for around $330. Installed myself and front end feels much better, much firmer but rides great. No more squeaks or crunches, only thing when I go over a speed bump I get a small thud from both sides, not super loud but assuming bushings somewhere?? Anyone in similar scenario?