Stupid strut questions!

[DLW]

Hey all!

My 98 4cyl with 246000 miles is in the shop for some tranny work.

My parents were kind enough to let me use their 98 6cyl with 68000 in mint condition.

On that 6cyl I am borrowing it has a few issues I would like to fix so they do not take it to a local shop and over pay and just to help them out as a little suprise so the car rides nicer-quieter.

1- needs rotors bad. I will replace the front pads and rotors.

2-lots vibration noise in the front. Worse now that it cold out. More noticable at slow speeds just cruising over small bumps. I think its the strut mounts that are bad. I forgot how annoying thta is. In my 4cy I replaced the entire struts with Monroe quick struts. Not sure what to do for this one since it rides nice but just noisy. It is 13 years old but only 68000 miles. The springs do not appear to be sagging too bad.

With coupons and discounts I can get 2 front Monroe quickstruts for $119 each.

I can get 2 strut mounts for about $45-50 total. So about $190 less than the quickstruts.

Ihave replaced quickstruts before. I really do not know much about replacing just the mounts. Will I need a spring compressor? If I remove the struts-springs on the car will they stay intact likea quickstrut or will they fall apart on my garage floor while I cuss and cry? If they stay together does the mount just slip of the top and I put a new one on then just tighten all the bolts back up?

Like I said, stupid strut question, but I think you can see what I am getting at. If its just simple to do but hard physical work and I can save 190 bucks by only replacing whats absolutely needed I would like to do that. If I have to put it all together and use a spring compressor and have a fit in the garage I may be betterof with the quickstruts.

Any guidanance appreciated. Thanks!

[Skiermang]

Yes, you will need to use a spring compressor to pull off the strut mounts. A local auto parts store may be able to loan you one for the job.

[dorifuto.boi]

take the strut out of the car (the damper and spring and mount together as one peice)

then u compress the spring w a spring compressor (u can rent one from autozone) and then take off the top nut. then put the new upper mount on. then put the nut back on. uncompress spring. then put the strut back into the car.

make sure that the grove on the damper's rod lines up with the grove in the top mount. if it doesn't, then ur gonna rip ur top mount apart in days.

[mujtaballa]

What struts would u guys recommend for lowering? I have a 00 camry v6

[Handsonmaxima]

Originally Posted by mujtaballa

What struts would u guys recommend for lowering? I have a 00 camry v6

KYB makes some of the best lowing struts around.
but you would get many more answers by searching the forum and not derailing this thread.

Back on track.
part number 14& 15 will be your strut mount, but if the car is noisy over bumps do not forget to check the quality of their ball joints, as that will most likely be the problem if the car has so few miles.

[carsrus]

Its a crap shoot to only change the mounts. Supposedly the top of the strut wear with the mount and even if you replace the mount it will clunk. Easy trick it to take a 19mm socket and turn the upper bolt about 180 degrees. It should quiet down for a bit.

Check everything before replacing struts. Sway bar links and bushing have a tendencies to make some weird noises. They cost way less then struts and mounts.

[hardtopte72]

Def sounds like bad mounts or a bad sway bar end link. It could also be ball joints as stated earlier BUT I havent seen them wear out often in Camrys but anything is possible. I would check the end links first as they are almost always the first to go. If it does need strut mounts.....


Check rockauto.com for a KYB replacement assemblies. Most Camrys will come with Either KYB or Tokico as original equipment and having personally used KYB's in serveral cars they are awesome. And just buy the mount from a good quality manufacturer.

[DLW]

I sprayed some PB Blaster penetrating-lubricating spray on the strut bolt on top under the hood.(the big bolt surrounded by the 3 smaller bolts). The PB Blaster saturated the bolt and sat in the rubbber cup. I let it siyt there for 5-10 minutes and soaked it back up with paper towels.

I turned the bolt several times. Probaby somewhere between 180-360 degrees. I took it for a drive and litteraly no noise. Its gone. I cannot believe it. From total noise to nothing.

The weird thing is I am not sure if turning the bolt actually moved it further down the threads or it the post and nut stayed locked and just the post turned. It seemed tight then would loosen up. More like it pinched the rubber when I applied force then loosened up. Who knows.

So either my turning the nut or the PB Plaster softening up tyhe rubber? Anyways, quiet now. May return again.

Thanks for the suggestion.