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I have a gen 4.5 (2000-2001 car) and there is definately a problem with the strut mount, or the front suspension assembly. Starting since I owned the car at 70k this year, there is definately a defect with a strut component.
Sounds from:
squeaking to rattling
or
according to chesstompowell "The best way to describe the sound would be to bounce a small plastic water bottle against a hard surface and roughly that's the sound I hear from my front right suspension.".
There are other sound also besides that which comes from the front suspension.
Mike Gerber of TN mentioned, The customer service person said that there is no recall currently on this, but "if enough people call and complain, then maybe Toyota will do something about it." The corporate number is 800-331-4331 for anybody who is interested in complaining.
I am just getting a sign-in to see if there are anybody interested. I think we should call toyota and complaint. Hopefully, with enough calls, we can get this fix via recall. Please post if you are interested in making a call.
I had this problem and Toyota diagnosed it to lower control arm bushing. They replaced it under warranty and that did cured the problem for six to eight months and than it started again. I still do have this problem. But what the hack I already have 175K on this car.
I've done this already (well the result was a new part number for the strut mounts was issued). Use the NEW part number to avoid the noice. I've tried and test this, and thus far, it seemed to have worked. I got the part number from TN.
I've done this already (well the result was a new part number for the strut mounts was issued). Use the NEW part number to avoid the noice. I've tried and test this, and thus far, it seemed to have worked. I got the part number from TN.
meaning you called toyota and they paid for your suspension repair?
^^ yes, all under extended warranty, I am currently on their 4th setup. The last one, i insisted they use the part number i acquired from tn. All 4 strut-assemblies (at they termed it) were replaced all 4 times. The last time i insisted on the part numbers knowing that my extended warranty would be out. Currently on 20K miles on that last setup and now i'm satisfied. The strut mount problem has existed and there was a new mount number that pretty much 'FOR ME' solved the problem which other part numbers didn't.
I called Toyota corporate again this morning on another issue and mentioned the strut mount problem to the customer service rep again. There is still no recall, but let's all call and see if we can get all our cars recalled.
In 1999 Toyota posted a notice to all dealers that if anyone complained about the noise in the front of the car, similar to yours, that the dealer replaces the front struts under warranty. Tried to get my replaced and Toyota stated that since my car was no longer under warranty that I did not qualify to have my front structs replaced.
Great company, knew about the problem but waited for buyers to complain. They should be ashamed of themselvers.
Yeah there were some front suspensin noises inthe very first Gen4's/ We had a few come in right before I left Toyota but they had not come up witha fix for them yet. I did hear afterward that they were replacing strut assemblies or mounts but only if the customer complained because it was limited to a very low number of vehicles since it was caught early enough for them to do a retooling to correct it.
As for them not being a good company because they waited for the suctomer to complain, not all of them had the problem so why would they recall them. It was not a safety issue because it did not affect the steering or handling of the car. It was mor of an annoyance than anything. Recalls are almost always for safety reasons not for noises and things of that nature. Things like taht are why TSB's are sent out to the dealers. That way if you go in and the car is still under warranty the techs can diagnose it quickly and get your car repaired as soon as possible.
Skewe, good luck getting Toyota to replace the strut mounts. You are more than likely going to have to pony up nad pay for it to be repaird since the car is out of the 3 year or 36k mile warranty. Those parts are not considered powertrain so they dont go up to the 5 year 60k mile. Even if it did it wouldnt matter for you since you said you already ahve gone over 70k miles.If you know someone that works for Toyota they may be able to get you the part numbers that someone else mentioned so you can get the updated strut mounts for your car.
__________________
Chris
PLEASE DO NOT GET RID OF THE OLD TN AS WE KNOW IT.
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Strut problems - call toyota to fix problem???
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