HELP! Dealer charges over $1000 replace strut mount/strut on Gen4 Camry

[kiddoy2k]

I have a 98 Camry. There is a clunk or clank sound coming from front suspension. Well, I bring it to Toyota dealer for repair. Here is lists that he wants me to pay.

Heard humming noise (left side)- possible wheel bearing = $340+TAX
Strut mounts/strut = 1080+TAX

What ?? Total is $1420 ??
I rather go for aftermarket strut for better performance. I believe it is mcuh cheaper than Dealer. I need your guys professional advice on which strut should I get, Tokico, Tein????

Thank you , guys!!

[wormhole]

That is a big joke. I had the same problem and order kyb gr2 for mine cost about 140 and about another 120 to install them. Dealers are a rip off

[ASG14]

How many miles you have on it?

[karugs]

That's why they call it the stealerships. Walk away. Go to some mechanic you trust. The clunking sound could be ball joints or caster bushings.

[EKam]

Possible wheel bearing...?

You actually know if it's broken right away if you lift the car up on a jack, and try to move the wheel to see if there is any free play.

I wouldn't get the struts from a dealer.

Camry Springs & Struts Guide

Where are you from btw?

[Davee]

Originally Posted by kiddoy2k

I have a 98 Camry. There is a clunk or clank sound coming from front suspension. Well, I bring it to Toyota dealer for repair. Here is lists that he wants me to pay.

Heard humming noise (left side)- possible wheel bearing = $340+TAX
Strut mounts/strut = 1080+TAX

What ?? Total is $1420 ??
I rather go for aftermarket strut for better performance. I believe it is mcuh cheaper than Dealer. I need your guys professional advice on which strut should I get, Tokico, Tein????

Thank you , guys!!

Your "stealer" is a rip off Have an independent check sway bar bushings & attachments. I was noisy particularly in very cold weather -- was bushings only . Shocks lasted 120,000 km on back & 150,000 on front . Went to simple Monroe replacements. Ended up with noisy in back that Can tire claimed were worn shock mounts. $120 later found out it was loose linkage on sway bar.

[dna59]

Yeah the clunk sound could be from worn bushings.

[shuluke]

Where can we get new bushings from? Also, what kind of an install job is this? I have some squeaking and bumpy ride now, i was wondering if changing the bushings will fix it.

Shuluke

[Neon]

Originally Posted by shuluke

Where can we get new bushings from? Also, what kind of an install job is this? I have some squeaking and bumpy ride now, i was wondering if changing the bushings will fix it.

Shuluke

put some white lithium grease on bushing will cure the squeaking.
i don't the bushing would have anything to do with bumpy ride, may be tires are over inflated.

[karugs]

Bumpy ride may mean the shocks are gone. Put pressure on each corner of the car and press down repeatedly. If the car snaps back to original position after 1 or 2 bounces it's OK. If not, the shocks are gone.

Like Neon said, the tires could be overinflated. But that would be more of a floating feeling than a bumpy ride.

[BLUEMEANIE]

Originally Posted by kiddoy2k

I have a 98 Camry. There is a clunk or clank sound coming from front suspension. Well, I bring it to Toyota dealer for repair. Here is lists that he wants me to pay.

Heard humming noise (left side)- possible wheel bearing = $340+TAX
Strut mounts/strut = 1080+TAX

What ?? Total is $1420 ??
I rather go for aftermarket strut for better performance. I believe it is mcuh cheaper than Dealer. I need your guys professional advice on which strut should I get, Tokico, Tein????

Thank you , guys!!

My wheel bearing replacement... $50 for an entire low milage knuckel from a salvage yard, replaced it in an hour or two with hand tools and a scissor jack.
...and just cause the strut mount is bad doesn't mean the strut is bad. You can get a new mount at AutoZone or PepBoys or the like for cheap.
As for struts, I'd go with Tokico.

Originally Posted by dna59

Yeah the clunk sound could be from worn bushings.

endlink bushings are prolly shot.