Struts? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

gfryhtsn · 11-17-2005, 01:25 PM

I have a 1998 Camry XLE (V6 if that helps at all), and I was told by my Toyota dealer that it is my struts that are going out, but they werent sure because their strut guy wont be back for 2 weeks. What the problem is after i first take off, or after i go around a corner first my RR wheel begins to make a vibrating noise, then my RF begins to make a vibrating noise, and by this time the whole car starts to vibrate somewhat, them the LR chimes in. Ive read that when a strut goes out the whole car starts shaking, and u can tell the strut is dripping oil, but its not doing that. Anyone else know what this might be? It also doesnt seem to do it as much when its cold out. Also my aunt has an older honda, and she said hers started doing this when her CV joint went out, but would that make any sense it also making the noise in the back? Thanks for your input!

jhbhatia · 11-17-2005, 01:39 PM

take it to midas for their free evaluation. If they recommend new struts (as one or more are worn out) consider changing in parirs (fronts and rear). If your going for OEm feel and comfort, then go with monroe, or else do a search here and see if tokico's or something else pleases you!

amerikim · 11-17-2005, 01:49 PM

When struts/shocks begin to fail, you will notice bottoming out and sloppy handling, kind of like trying to drive a waterbed. What you describe is more like wheel bearings.

gfryhtsn · 11-17-2005, 04:50 PM

also my breaks squeal for no reason, toyota has checked them, cleaned them, and cannot find out why they squeal...could that have anything to do with anything? probably not, but ya never know. Are their wheel bearings in all 4 wheels, or could the noise just sound like its coming from all four

leasaunce · 11-17-2005, 04:52 PM

sounds like you need new struts. youve checked all the bolts around the struts??

stir_fry_boy · 11-17-2005, 06:33 PM

Miles?

gfryhtsn · 11-17-2005, 08:07 PM

no i havent checked anything, because at the toyota dealer he said the strut guy would be back next monday, (but he told me that 2 weeks ago, and im thinking about switching places), and ive never had a car with struts, so i dont really know what to check for with them..it just barely rolled over to 83K, mostly highway, never think its been down an alley or hit a pot hole or anything...also jhb, u said "consider changing in parirs (fronts and rear)." why does it ride rough after you first get them changed like shocks, or price wise, or why do them in pairs? thanks

nodrogkam · 11-17-2005, 09:42 PM

83K does sorta draw the line to where new shocks would be a good idea anyways.

I'd get em replaced anyways. got our 98 camry replaced at 88k. Feels much better.

if anything get a bit stiffer than oem...i dont like so much body pitch and roll.

JMSinMD · 11-18-2005, 08:33 AM

I have a set of springs from my 99 LE V6 Camry with just a few miles (i.e. 12,000 miles) on them. I'm willing to sell them for $100 plus shipping for all 4 struts and all 4 springs. I changed to a high performance setup. Let me know. Jon.

Cyorke · 11-18-2005, 10:16 AM

the vibration you are feeling is possibly due to the struts. The struts themselves will not cause a vibration. Having said hat though if you have a vibration or are driving on rough roads and the struts are not working the way they are supposed to be because the are worn out then they can not dampen the vibration and it will be more pronounced. IF you have ever seen a car drving down the road and it looks as if the tire is actually bouncing, that is typically because the shock or strut at that particualr location is shot. From what you are saying and my experience yes the struts need to be replaced. I would do like someone else said and take it somewhere like Midas.

I have never heard of a dealership having just one person that is their strut guy. Seems like a screwy way to run a shop since they are farily easy diagnose and replace.

Gary_602Z · 11-18-2005, 04:39 PM

Maybe the dealership is actually refering to their front end alignment guy as you should have it set after struts. Anybody can replace the struts.

Gary

Cyorke · 11-18-2005, 04:54 PM

yeah but even then everyone should be able to do alignments. Every shop I ever worked at everyone unless they were an oil tech or something liek taht could do alignments. It is not rocket science and if you are working at a dealership especially for the most part all of the car manufactured by a particualr company are going to be aligned the same way.