Sagging rear springs or front too high?

[Yuko]

I just installed new Monroe Quick-Struts up front and of course the front sits high than the original 27" fender height. After 12 miles of driving, it has settled down to 27.5" (better than the 29" when I lower it from the lift ) But the rear fenders sits at 26.5" unloaded. After reading online, people say the rear fender height should be at 27.75" with 205/65-15 tires. (Give or take 1/4") A thread on TN, said that the 4-cly rear springs on Gen4 Camry were cheap and will sag. I have overloaded the Camry a few times in the past years. I notice I can't put my foot in the rear wheel gap to tie my shoes anymore like before. So either the gaps got smaller or my shoes got bigger.

Here's how it stands now. Looks weird and appear as if the trunk is loaded down.


Hopefully the front will settle down some more. As for the rear, I'm thing of swapping just the springs out for a set of Moog stock replacement; about $120 for the set. (I have spent $260 on the front already.)

I'm going to Harbor Freight quickly and put some more miles on the front and see how it settles. Dose the Camry look normal or is the back sagging? Will the front settles more or do you think the original 27" was a sagged height?

[pmesfun]

I would let the front springs settle a little more, the rear will probably even out. How are the rear struts anyways, have you done the bounce test?

[fenixus]

give the front spring no less than 500 miles to settle in. my quickstruts (2.2L and 3.0L models) were all sitting too high initially on both cars too, I wouldn't worry about it, just give it some time/miles and it will be normal.

after that when all levels back to normal, re-check the rear clearance, it could be that struts are going bad back there or springs are sagging already.

[Yuko]

Originally Posted by pmesfun

I would let the front springs settle a little more, the rear will probably even out. How are the rear struts anyways, have you done the bounce test?

I have done the bounce test and the rear struts still good. No squeaks, leaks, or clunks. The springs, struts, and boots look good too. There's no bend, rip, or rust. I don't want to spent more money for the rear and that's why I was thinking of replacing just the springs if they have sagged.

Originally Posted by fenixus

give the front spring no less than 500 miles to settle in. my quickstruts (2.2L and 3.0L models) were all sitting too high initially on both cars too, I wouldn't worry about it, just give it some time/miles and it will be normal.

after that when all levels back to normal, re-check the rear clearance, it could be that struts are going bad back there or springs are sagging already.

It will take me 2-3 week to rack in 500 miles. The problem is I'm impatient. Usually I want to see result right away. I’ll try to wait til it levels out then I can do the alignment. On Monday, I can get spec from All-Data about the fender height and ground clearance and compare.



Also, I'm going to replace the front sway bar bushing with new OEM. They are 16mm (weird) and get a new FR end link. I still think there's a faint knocking noise on the right. (Maybe it's in my head)

[fenixus]

yeah, it takes time it helps to have lifetime alignment from Firestone, so you can re-check it always when you need it (right after struts replaced and then again after things settle in).

I would suggest replacing both OEM bushings or go with Moog bushings, but then which part number are you getting when checking against Federal Mogul catalog?
if same as mine then (both my solaras use same one in front - K90025) then you could be getting 17mm ... are you 100% sure it is 16mm from factory?

double check Moog part numbers here:
http://fme-cat.com/PassengerCarLightTruck.aspx

oh, and replace both front sway end links at same time, it helps to have things even on the steering axle.

[pmesfun]

Originally Posted by Yuko

I have done the bounce test and the rear struts still good. No squeaks, leaks, or clunks. The springs, struts, and boots look good too. There's no bend, rip, or rust. I don't want to spent more money for the rear and that's why I was thinking of replacing just the springs if they have sagged.
It will take me 2-3 week to rack in 500 miles. The problem is I'm impatient. Usually I want to see result right away. I’ll try to wait til it levels out then I can do the alignment. On Monday, I can get spec from All-Data about the fender height and ground clearance and compare.
Also, I'm going to replace the front sway bar bushing with new OEM. They are 16mm (weird) and get a new FR end link. I still think there's a faint knocking noise on the right. (Maybe it's in my head)

I wouldn't worry about it if there is no extra bouncing, struts are probably showing their age a little. Sometimes I do 500 in a week, haha, but I would check the torque on the center nuts after that long.

[Yuko]

Originally Posted by fenixus

yeah, it takes time it helps to have lifetime alignment from Firestone, so you can re-check it always when you need it (right after struts replaced and then again after things settle in).

I would suggest replacing both OEM bushings or go with Moog bushings, but then which part number are you getting when checking against Federal Mogul catalog?
if same as mine then (both my solaras use same one in front - K90025) then you could be getting 17mm ... are you 100% sure it is 16mm from factory?

double check Moog part numbers here:
http://fme-cat.com/PassengerCarLightTruck.aspx

oh, and replace both front sway end links at same time, it helps to have things even on the steering axle.

I have done the alignment myself at my old high school auto tech so that is free. I'm getting the sway bar bushing from the local Toyota dealership and they are 16mm. The sway bar measured to 16mm, the bushing has 16 stamp on it, and Camry without ABS has 16 FSB for this model year as I was told by the dealership. I was going to use the Moog thermoplastic bushings K93092 but cost the same as OEM.

I might replace both links if they're less than $20 through the school's discount.

Originally Posted by pmesfun

I wouldn't worry about it if there is no extra bouncing, struts are probably showing their age a little. Sometimes I do 500 in a week, haha, but I would check the torque on the center nuts after that long.

Forget about that; I should have checked the center nuts when I installed it. I'll do that Monday when I get hold of a torque wrench. Hopefully the ride soften out quickly too.

[redgtxdi]

It's the Monroe quikstruts. They sit much higher than stock. I actually prefer it myself but if you don't do the rears too, you'll never match. Trust me......I know.

Reason I like them which may not be the popular opinion here is that I remember when I bought my camry brand new and the stock ride height meant my original front air dam below the front bumper lasted all of 6 months before it got ripped right off the car. Not to mention that it always had a saggy rear end if you had more than 2 people in it. Load it up with 4 and a full trunk and you could forget about it.

I, for one, like the increased ride height of the quikstruts.....though if you don't know my opinion of Monroe quality by now, you won't have to search long to find out.

[Yuko]

Originally Posted by redgtxdi

It's the Monroe quikstruts. They sit much higher than stock. I actually prefer it myself but if you don't do the rears too, you'll never match. Trust me......I know.

I, for one, like the increased ride height of the quikstruts.....though if you don't know my opinion of Monroe quality by now, you won't have to search long to find out.

I kinda know. The Gabriel complete strut appears to be built better and closer to OEM. But cost was a factor and the Monroe saved me over $100 for the set. If the front doesn't drop down another 1/2"-3/4", I'll swap the old spring back in. (Kind of defeat the perpose of "quick" strut. )