Strut Rod Bushings 2001 Camry V6

[msd58]

(Placed this wrong section before, sorry for duplicate post) My struts rod bushing a making noise. Fronts and rears. Struts themselves are fine even with 330,000 miles on them. Is it possible to replace just the bushings without replacing the while strut? I would rather not have to replace whole strut. I have found what I think are the parts online. Pretty cheap. I just want to convince my mechanic to do the job

[chronoti]

yes, there is a bearing in the top it's a 2 piece part.

KYB Part # SM5179 Front right
KYB Part # SM5180 Front left
KYB Part # SM5175 Rear (same for both)

good luck in convincing, but get a quote to install the mounts and then compare that to getting a set of monroe quick struts installed, labor will be less and it comes with all new parts

[Entrical]

Monroes are crap. Dont get Monroes. Just get some new KYB GR2's, strut mounts, and strut bearings. I can guarantee that with 330,000 miles on a set of struts, they are NOT good

Edit: and if you have to convince your mechanic to work on your car, find a new mechanic. You shouldnt have to persuade him to do his job.

[chronoti]

he will have to convince him to put bad shocks back in it becomes a liability issue if they put a non working part in and he gets in an accident

i think i did my kyb gr2 with new everything(minus springs i went with drop springs) for around 400 from rockauto

[JohnGD]

There are three brands selling entire new assemblies: Monroe, Gabriel and KYB.

Some have used Monroes here and seem to be happy. I personally don't like the "grooved piston rod" design. I prefer the Gabriel Ultra as in their ReadyMount assembly. The newer Ultras are slightly softer, but soak up road irregularities well. The KYB is closest to the original Asian ride. I find it too harsh.

Both Monroe and Gabriel (Autozone) offer lifetime warranties. KYB does not warranty against normal wear and tear.

[fenixus]

Gabriel Ultra struts are very good. I've been having them since 45k miles on '00 Solara 5s-fe. I would suggest using ReadyMounts though, makes the job easier and quicker (not sure about difference in shop labor charges, if any).
I only made one mistake with them, I let the local shop handle the job and those guys re-used all old rubber parts, mounts, and springs ... and part of my original problem was worn out rubber insulator under passenger side spring

anyways now car is at almost 80k miles and those struts are still good and dampen pot holes really well.

I need to figure out what struts and parts (or which set) to use on my V6 at 125k miles ... I'm fed up with clunking, squeaking and walking suspension on this car...

one thing bothers me ... Gabriel Ultra strut price is $64 each at autozone, so even with new spring (about $70 each new, Eibach lowering spring price used) it's hard to believe the whole ReadyMount price reaches ... $224 each ... are those all rubber parts THAT expensive (almost $100) ???

EDIT: all right I have just realized the mount itself (by Gabriel) is like $70, plus cushion set around $22 plus insulators ... well that makes over a $100 ...

It makes me want to complete my own whole "ReadyMount" set ...

then if you choose to go the route with making your own set, then you might like to consider getting Tokico HP (made by Hitachi) so called "blue" struts with LLT warranty as well. they made for lowering springs actually, but you could use them with OEM springs as well ... if that makes sense... decisions, decisions ...

[fenixus]

on a side note, you could get Monroe QuickStrut ($202 each REAR) from Advance Auto Parts, with 15% off coupon the total may get as low as around $343+tax ($170+tax each).

I doubt you can actually beat that price with anything (all new parts), considered that you can order online with internet discount and pick up locally after 1 hour and tackle the job in another hour or two

Somehow I cannot find QuickStruts for my V6 front (they say it's incompatible??, but they have those part numbers $223 each minus discount), but they have i4/5s-fe fronts at $210 each (minus 15% off discount).

Applied Promotion: JNY4
Get 5% off $25 - 10% off $75 - 15% off $100 or more!

with QuickStruts and/or ReadyMounts you could easily replace them by yourself with some basic (or loaner) tools.

just shooting some options/ideas.

reason why we keep informing you about replacing all stuff in there is that any struts at 339k miles are a joke. decoration only as some member described it politely

[JohnGD]

According to Monroe's e-Catalog, "Camry Solara" 02 V6:

Front left: 271679, $147.79 rockauto.com
Front right: 271678 $147.79
Front left: 171681 $128.79
Front right: 171680 $128.79

Even if I don't like the "grooved piston" design, at those prices and LLT warranty just can't beat them.

However, Hitachi's Tokico Gas Struts are still the performance gold standard. It's said Toyota TRD struts are Tokicos, while the cheap OEMs are just KYB. Not really sure however.

Originally Posted by fenixus

on a side note, you could get Monroe QuickStrut ($202 each REAR) from Advance Auto Parts, with 15% off coupon the total may get as low as around $343+tax ($170+tax each).

I doubt you can actually beat that price with anything (all new parts).

Somehow I cannot find QuickStruts for V6 front, but they have i4/5s-fe fronts at $210 each (minus 15% off discount).

with QuickStruts and/or ReadyMounts you could easily replace them by yourself with some basic (or loaner) tools.

[pmesfun]

Vogtland Suspension has kits, which includes the Tokico struts and Vogtland Lowering Springs. The have 2 drop kits, 1.4in and 1.8in(which I'm getting). They cost ~$600 and come pre-assembled, so you just have to swap the old ones.
http://www.vogtlandsuspension.com/p4...duct_info.html

[fenixus]

Originally Posted by JohnGD

According to Monroe's e-Catalog, "Camry Solara" 02 V6:

Front left: 271679, $147.79 rockauto.com
Front right: 271678 $147.79
Front left: 171681 $128.79
Front right: 171680 $128.79

Even if I don't like the "grooved piston" design, at those prices and LLT warranty just can't beat them.

However, Hitachi's Tokico Gas Struts are still the performance gold standard. It's said Toyota TRD struts are Tokicos, while the cheap OEMs are just KYB. Not really sure however.

wow, great prices @ rockauto.com, wondering how much is shipping... but then advantage of Advance Auto is almost instant local pick up (and easier return if something is damaged)...

right, Monroe catalog gave me same numbers, but for some reason Advance auto website says they are incompatible (that's why I couldn't see them on my selected car), anyways their website is wrong hehe, manufacturer is most likely right

anyways, thanks for reminding me about rockauto
also they still have 5% off discount for TN members
might be the cheapest choice ... only "problem" is shipping.

and KYB, I would say stay away. if that's OEM then it's crap ... unless you live in a super flat roads area with no Winters and pot holes. I have a minefield around here. ... no Toyota OEM struts are good for here ... not for long at least...

I heard same about TRD struts being actually Tokico, but same thing I have no 100% confirmation on that.

I might get Quick Struts eventually. Nothing wrong with Gabriel Ultras, I actually think they are better than OEM, at least last (so far) almost same miles and feel almost like new (while OEM were done already by then).

EDIT:
rockauto doesn't list ANY quick struts as compatible with my car, WTH ... retailers seem to have some serious trouble with keeping up with application verification over manufacturer catalogs ...

their price is good though
Total $296 for both front Quick Struts (V6 compatible per Monroe catalog) including shipping and 5% off discount it makes $148 each (grand total) !
I think I WILL eventually take this route

Originally Posted by pmesfun

Vogtland Suspension has kits, which includes the Tokico struts and Vogtland Lowering Springs. The have 2 drop kits, 1.4in and 1.8in(which I'm getting). They cost ~$600 and come pre-assembled, so you just have to swap the old ones.
http://www.vogtlandsuspension.com/p450/Toyota-Camry,-type-V2,-V6-Suspension-Kits-|-97---01/product_info.html

I am jealous of your climate and flat roads as much as I love Hitachi Tokico stuff, I just don't dare to lower my cars in this area ... unless you have a Body Shop owner friend nearby

anyways good luck with your project. that pre-assembled Tokico stuff sounds perfect post some pics when done

EDIT:
do you know anybody who actually purchased anything from that store? Their price seems a little fishy to me ... $600 for all 4 corners? with Tokico and lowering spring, mounts and all?? are you sure it's not a plastic replica or so?

I don't like stores that do not disclose publicly their location nor phone number.

[pmesfun]

Originally Posted by fenixus

I am jealous of your climate and flat roads as much as I love Hitachi Tokico stuff, I just don't dare to lower my cars in this area ... unless you have a Body Shop owner friend nearby

anyways good luck with your project. that pre-assembled Tokico stuff sounds perfect post some pics when done

EDIT:
do you know anybody who actually purchased anything from that store? Their price seems a little fishy to me ... $600 for all 4 corners? with Tokico and lowering spring, mounts and all?? are you sure it's not a plastic replica or so?

I don't like stores that do not disclose publicly their location nor phone number.

IMDiaster installed them on his avalon.
Just got done installing new rear struts and springs. What a PITA!!!

I'm pretty sure that is where he got them from, he mentions it in the thread. I'll have to ask him to make sure, but he isn't on that much anymore.

[fenixus]

heh, sorry to bring this up again, but for folks who prefer getting strut assemblies locally the Advance Auto Parts offers even better deals then I mentioned (someone also mentioned those codes elsewhere, but can't find it now).

I was able to beat Monroe Quick Strut price down more with 20% off code off entire order (code P20) or there is another option code BIG50 and make two orders for each strut alone and save total of $100 off their retail price.
there is also one more magical code, but it appears to be working on weekends only and not always (code FF25) giving 25% off entire order.

I am truly fascinated with the way online ordering process works in Advance Auto and Local Pickup option

... only problem that since all this info was posted in this thread all Advance Auto stores around me (like 20 mile radius) are clear, no more Monroe Quick Struts for me over there

still Rockauto.com pricing is truly unbeatable!