how often you replace struts?

[5thgencamryJ]

I have to replace every 60000 miles I think. Is this normal for this generation?

I drive many bumpy roads (city). Not smooth freeways.

[pmesfun]

Mine were done around 120k, and my dad had my car before and he drove M-F on one of the worst roads in Dallas. What surprised me is my cousin's 06 CTS with 140k miles still has original suspension in Houston(absolutely terrible roads) and it rides like new, saw with my other cousins 04 Accord, same mileage, original suspension, same city. I wonder if the struts learn to tolerate the bad roads.

[fenixus]

all depends on area you are driving. I just posted it in other thread, will just copy and paste here

in my area (NJ, not far from Lincoln Tunnel to NYC) struts do not last long. I replaced OEM struts on wife's car at merely 35k-40k miles or so? all miles were driven mostly in NJ and also on some interstate highways down to North Carolina (prev owner was traveling there a few times a year as he said).

on the other hand I have another Toyota from Florida which still had original front struts at 122k miles when I bought it over there ... had to replace them soon after coming to NJ though , they got bouncy (were all fine back in FL yet) to the point I was almost having sort of sea/road sickness when going at speed limits on bumpy highways around my town

[JohnGD]

For front MacPherson designs maybe 50K miles the manufacturers suggest is about right. For shocks (like on Honda SLA systems) they seem to last over 100K without problems.

[Doug S]

I live in NJ and have 170K on the fronts and 60K on the rears, if they are not leaking then ussually they are OK. The rubber is going on the rear ones but my ride is not affected, tire wear is normal and handling is fine-for a family sedan type of car.

60K sounds excessive to me but it's your ride and wallet. What Kind are you installing?

D

[zb420]

This might be a good thread for this question.

Not sure if my struts have been changed or not...I tend to think they have being that I had to replace a rear axle because I was living at one time deep in a canyon, with 20 miles up and down to get to civilization. That was in about '02.

This is not a new issue but I'll ask it here. When I go over city made humps and bump I take them slow. I still hear a little squeaking coming from the rear, I think from one side.

My first thought is that is is a strut?

...am I correct?

p.s. thanks to whomever has been putting a little money in my gambling account... I had another bad run...

[pmesfun]

probably sway bar bushings.

[zb420]

Originally Posted by pmesfun

probably sway bar bushings.

we talking big bucks here?

[pmesfun]

Yeah about 20 bucks.

[fenixus]

^
or around $15 if you buy Duralast bushings from Autozone or Moog bushings from Advance Auto online (with P20 code for 20% off). to replace you raise the whole axle off ground, remove wheels and unbolt 2 14mm bolts holding bracket on each side (do them one side at a time),swap the rubber bushing (super easy) and then bolt back on 14ft-lbs and done

other possibility is the exhaust or muffler hanger is rubbing metal to metal, I had such noise coming from V6 car in rear (passenger side) while sway bushings were making a squeak coming kinda from middle rear or something...

[pmesfun]

Bolt size is 12MM IIRC.

[fenixus]

yeah, probably it is. I can't remember well.

Originally Posted by pmesfun

Bolt size is 12MM IIRC.

[zb420]

Originally Posted by pmesfun

Yeah about 20 bucks.

Originally Posted by fenixus

^
or around $15 if you buy Duralast bushings from Autozone or Moog bushings from Advance Auto online (with P20 code for 20% off). to replace you raise the whole axle off ground, remove wheels and unbolt 2 14mm bolts holding bracket on each side (do them one side at a time),swap the rubber bushing (super easy) and then bolt back on 14ft-lbs and done

other possibility is the exhaust or muffler hanger is rubbing metal to metal, I had such noise coming from V6 car in rear (passenger side) while sway bushings were making a squeak coming kinda from middle rear or something...

Problem is guys is that I am not as mechanically inclined as you all. I wish I was but I'z ain't... so I have my mechanic do it... sounds like it will take him less than an hour if that's it?

[redgtxdi]

I'm really tired of this apple ios5 safari crash thing.......so before it crashes again.....

Try getting under there yourself and spraying tho bushings with some silicone spray before dropping off with your mechanic. Might work. Since I've found silicone spray, I've silenced almost everything except the dog!

[zb420]

Originally Posted by redgtxdi

I've silenced almost everything except the dog!

lol, ah, OK.... a bushing you say... I'll have to use ''the Google" as Duba used to say. Say hi to you dog for me....

just occurred to me that silicone might be better than W-D40 for squeaky doors?

EDIT: actually my mechanic does the work where I live... and he's real good. He probably would come over and check it out.
I've dealt with him now a bunch of times and I'm beginning to like him more and more...

*My last mechanic before he left to go home to Thailand I had for about 17 yrs. Before he left he told me my alternator was going out and had me listen to the screwdriver. All I heard was a part working, a year later it's still working just fine... BASTARDO!