Ugh... gotta dump more money into the ol' jalopy

Well, I suppose it's time for round I-lost-count of the game called "Let's dump a ton of money on the Camry." My brake booster seems to be on the way out, as I checked the vacuum line and there aren't any cracks or pinholes in the line. Has anyone ever swapped boosters on a gen2 (or just about any Cam for that matter)- if so how hard was it and how much money did you spend on the booster? Also I'm going to need front and rear motor mounts, both are busted (age, not the driver)and because of that now I'm the grand master of granny-shifting. (You should feel the motor rocking as the powertrain loads and unloads) I'd definitely love to try Ratko's polyurethane jobbers, but my car can't be out of commission for 24 hours so the polyurethane can dry. The font brakes are going to be redone (not so bad), and this last part is what really gets me- the LF wheel bearing might need to be replaced. I have a strange thump in the left front that isn't going away. I'm to understand that a) the bearing is press-fit into the spindle and b) this job REALLY, REALLY sucks! Just felt the need to vent, on my salary this car's gonna have me in Chapter 11 by the end of the summer!

[phat91camryLE]

what does the thump sound like...i think i have the same problem...it only thumps when i take turns...and it happens with my LF wheel as well. I just started happening today. arg...are you taking it to a shop? let me know...later

[88 LE]

Originally posted by 87Camry5Speed
Has anyone ever swapped boosters on a gen2 (or just about any Cam for that matter)- if so how hard was it and how much money did you spend on the booster?

I've never swapped one before but, it can't be that hard.

Its probably just a matter of unbolting the master cylinder from the booster then unbolt the booster from the firewall.

Also I'm going to need front and rear motor mounts, both are busted (age, not the driver)and because of that now I'm the grand master of granny-shifting. (You should feel the motor rocking as the powertrain loads and unloads) I'd definitely love to try Ratko's polyurethane jobbers, but my car can't be out of commission for 24 hours so the polyurethane can dry.

Hit up the junkyards and see if you can find a set of motor mounts.

I filled in the front and rear ones on my gen 2.

http://trd.gotnet.net/motor_mounts/1.jpg

Change the 1.jpg to 2.jpg and so on. 6 pics total.

the LF wheel bearing might need to be replaced. I have a strange thump in the left front that isn't going away. I'm to understand that a) the bearing is press-fit into the spindle and b) this job REALLY, REALLY sucks!

Jack up that corner of the car and see if you can rock the wheel back and forth. If it rocks you have a bad wheel bearing.

The bearing is pressed in and its a pain in the a** to replace. I heated it up with a torch and pounded on it with a hammer, it wouldn't come out. I ended up replacing the entire spindle.

Phat91: It's hard to describe the noise in writing but I'll give it my best shot. I used to hear it only at highway speeds, but now all the time; it's a whump-whump-whump noise and you can kinda-sorta feel it in the steering wheel. I wonder if it might even be a CV joint but since the boots aren't cracked I don't think they're hurtin' any.

88LE: Thanks for all the tips; if memory serves me right the brake booster bolts from inside the firewall but i'm not 100% sure on that. I don't recall seeing any bolts except for the master cylinder outside. I hope the bolts are outside; going in from under the dash on these cars for almost anything is a b#%^!! (I know, I had to replace the hood cable after the end of it got busted off and getting it around the fuse box was a pain in the ass!) Also, I haven't tried jacking up the car yet, but I notice that if the car is stopped in a parking lot and I turn the wheel, I get a little freeplay then when the wheels start to turn I can plainly hear a clunk. Is that indicative of a bad bearing or a balljoint going south? I dont want to have to replace the control arm too if at all possible; already did the other side and it ain't much fun!

Thanks guys