99 Camry V6 Strut bumping/banging.... replacement part questions

[99camryWV]

So I bought a 99 camry v6 with 134k on it.. It runs great is clean, but I have the apparently very common bumping noises from the struts.. The struts are very bad and need replaced anyway.. I have done the suspension on my prelude and have access to just about anything I might need, but I found these pre assembled struts on amazon and from a-1 auto for somewhat cheap.. Its way more than I had hoped to have to spend to fix this, but if I am going to do it I want to do it right.. Here are the links to what I am looking at..

Amazon

Amazon

and

http://www.1aauto.com/1A/shocks_stru...tm_content=SSP

http://www.1aauto.com/1A/shocks_stru...tm_content=STS

I would love to have some nice suspension on this thing, but I really don't have the money to spend and I just want to keep this car running as good as possible for as long as possible..

Any suggestions/omments/critiques? Are these parts ok?

[BMR]

Those Monroe quickstruts are good. The other, I have no idea. Lots of folks have used Monroe's quickstruts and like 'em. Are they worth the extra money?... depends. If you're going to replace all the parts; spring upper & lower insulators, bumpers, springs, and mounts, buying the quick struts costs less. They're also way less work to install, of course.

But if you're trying to replace struts as cheaply as possible, and don't need/want to replace all the other parts, then buying bare struts is the way to go.

Buying bare struts also gives you more choice. There's only a couple of brands that offer quick struts; Gabriel and Monroe come to mind. Might be others, and it depends on model year too, I think. KYB & Tokico, to name a couple brands, don't offer quickstruts. And they're arguably better. KYB is the OEM supplier to Toyota, BTW. So if you want the OEM ride, they're about as close as you'll get without going to a Toyota dealership ($$$).

HTH

[99camryWV]

Thanks.. I think I am going to order the monroe quick struts.. From the sounds/looks of it most of the strut/spring pieces need to be replaced.

[WaxonWaxStillOn]

Front Right, $83

Front Right, $83

/edit#2: N/M! That's the wrong P/N.


Front Left, $157

[Luc]

KYB has been an OEM replacement which offers similar ride comfort. Tokico offers a stiffer ride than KYB. Not sure of Monroes, but all these 3 will be MUCH softer than the TRD/Bilstein.

[99camryWV]

Waxon, Those are for the 4 cyl model right? All the 6 cyl ones are new only.. Just to buy the MOnroes I am spending near $600 so to get the Kyb struts and mounts its almost that much without the springs and strut bearings and isolators..

edit: Also in the description it says this:

Product Features

Bearing Plate
Upper Spring Isolator
Upper Spring Seat
Coil Spring
Boot Kit


Does that mean it does not actually come with the strut bearing? If so then thats another $25 each.. They definitely make it out like its a complete slap in type replacement, but it just says bearing plate.. Sorry if we were talking honda suspension I would know what these meant, but this is a new set of terminology for me..

[WaxonWaxStillOn]

Originally Posted by 99camryWV

Waxon, Those are for the 4 cyl model right? All the 6 cyl ones are new only.. Just to buy the MOnroes I am spending near $600 so to get the Kyb struts and mounts its almost that much without the springs and strut bearings and isolators..

edit: Also in the description it says this:

Product Features

Bearing Plate
Upper Spring Isolator
Upper Spring Seat
Coil Spring
Boot Kit


Does that mean it does not actually come with the strut bearing? If so then thats another $25 each.. They definitely make it out like its a complete slap in type replacement, but it just says bearing plate.. Sorry if we were talking honda suspension I would know what these meant, but this is a new set of terminology for me..

Sorry, my bad...I searched for 271678 etc., but the result was 171678 and I didn't notice the difference.

I was under the impression it was everything you need, just swap the whole units, but I haven't purchased them before so can't say for certain.

In case you're not aware of this, there's also a $125 rebate from monroe...buy 4, get $125 back. (thru 10/31)

[BMR]

I'll be damned!... I just checked, and Rockauto.com shows KYB quickstruts for your 99 V6 Camry! They call 'em "Strut-Plus". They're about 50 bucks more than the Monroes.

SR4032 = Front Left $180.79
SR4031 = Front Right $195.79
SR4035 = Rear Right $181.79
SR4036 = Rear Left $181.79
Add shipping, and it's prolly close to $800.

...Just so you know what your options are.

[Luc]

You should still be able to use the original "companion" parts if you go with only struts and springs. I haven't had to change those parts even at 163k miles. But you may want to check to see if the boots are torn or not. If so, dirt can easier creep into the actual shock area.

[JohnGD]

Definitely get the complete assemblies. Either Monroe or KYB. However Monroe has lifetime warranty but KYB do not warranty against normal wear and tear.

Borrow a 250 lb/ft torque wrench from Autozone's free loaner program.

[99camryWV]

What is a torque wrench that big for? Anybody have any torque specs for reinstall of these? I have one for my honda, but nothing for this toyota. Anything else I need to do to make sure they last for a while..

[pmesfun]

Front
*Steering knuckle x Strut-156 ft.lbs
*Suspension support(Strut Mount) x Body- 59ft.lbs
*Suspension support x Piston rod- 36 ft.lbs
*ABS speed sensor set bolt- 71 in.lbs
*Flexible hose bracket and ABS speed sensor wire harness x Strut bracket- 22 ft.lbs
*Stabilizer bar bracket x Suspension member- 14 ft.lbs
*Stabilizer bar link set nut- 29 ft.lbs

Rear
*Strut x Rear axle carrier- 145 ft.lbs (Reused nut-apply engine oil the threads)
*Flexible hose x Strut bracket- 22 ft. lbs
*ABS speed sensor set bolt- 71 in. lbs
*ABS speed sensor wire harness x Strut- 48 in. lbs
*Suspension support x Body- 29 ft. lbs
*Suspension support x Piston rod- 36 ft. lbs
*Stabilizer bar bracket x Suspension member- 14 ft.lbs
*Stabilizer bar link set nut- 29 ft. lbs

[99camryWV]

Wow. I think the highest torque rating on my prelude is 59ftlbs. Thanks for all the info and fast response..
Is there anywhere where I can see pictures for what these describe? How much will I have to take apart to change these struts? I remember reading on here somewhere that there was something special you had to do with the abs sensors...

[BMR]

Originally Posted by 99camryWV

I remember reading on here somewhere that there was something special you had to do with the abs sensors...

There are DIY threads with pics for both the front and rear struts in the sticky'd threads at the top of the Gen 3 & 4 page.

The ABS cables bolt to a bracket on the struts; just unbolt 'em and leave the sensors in place.