OK, ready for springs/struts, advice:

[kenratboy]

I have decided that CT Motorsport, Eibach springs and Tokico struts will do the trick. Those two parts (group of parts) will be $750 shipped.

How much for installation? $200, $400, more?

I probably need an alignment, so $200, $400, more? Included?

This is a lot of money, and I hope it will be worth it.

My other choise is to just buy the OEM struts, keep the stock springs, and just get my dead struts back to life. Anything to say to that?

Thanks!

$1000+ for suspension work seems like a lot.

[Hamsterman]

man on ebay- eibach pros- 180. tokico's 330... 330+180=less than 750

buddy w/ a spring compressor and knowledge= free install

allignment- not sure on cost but hey i would say that a pro should do that since it is very important

my 2 cents

if i am outta line- somebody else give better advice

[Your Uncle Moe]

Alignment should run you around 65 bux. Thats how much it is here in NYC.

[IBAID]

sounds like a good setup... but why not eibach struts?... i mean whatever u want man...its all personal pref.

if u want something done right, u might as well spring the money for it so u dont get bs...i dont know if u know this, but atleast u have about 2-4weeks after u install ur new suspension till u need an alignment...

[dj14901]

I paid about $65 for an alignment, I think the install was around $250-300 here in CT. Camry's take longer to change the struts, the rear seats have to be removed to get at the rear struts...

HTH -

DJ

P.S. I think you'll be very happy w/your setup, don't forget to add Whiteline F&R bars when you can afford them :-)

[kenratboy]

I am so damn tempted...

I'll keep the steel wheels, so not only will no one 'see' my car, I can smoke ricers and make them feel sad

[italia490]

Your choice of products look good although a little on the pricey side. You should check ebay or other places on the internet. As far as installation goes, if you want to save money, do it yourself. I have a gen 5 and I lowered my car myself and later had it aligned for $56. The install took three hours using standard tools and a jack. If you are changing the stuts and springs, I don't believe you'll need a spring compressor, but if you need to compress the new springs to fit on your new struts, you can rent a pair of spring compressors from an autoparts store. Let me know if you have any questions. In my experience I have lowered and lifted vehicles.

[luisitol]

do the install yourself, save the money and buy yourself a Whiteline Rear Sway Bar and get int aligned somewere for a lil under $75 to get a good job.

You can either rent a spring compressor from Autozone or Strauss, or just buy one to own. I saw it at Sears last weekend for somwhere between $30-$40. I'm sure you'll get enough use out of it for you money's worth.

[gaak]

I agree, i just did the same suspension setup that ur talking about doing, and the instal was nice and smooth, did it myself with very few kinks, a couple of things to think about, the sway bar links can be a pain, and you might need new strut boots. also u might wanna check out new strut tower mounts... mine were fine but it's just something to check out. if all goes smoothly u should be able to do it in a day or two. any more questions feel free to IM me on AIM

[italia490]

Bringing up the sway bar links was a good idea. Once you have your new strut assembly installed on the car, chances are the sway bar end links will not be aligned properly. Install your wheel and lower the car to the ground very slowly until you see the holes align and then reach from underneath and push the link into the hole and finger tighten the nut. Then re-raise the car, take off the wheel and finish tightening the nut to the specified torque rating.

[gaak]

actually, i can tell you from experience, i've done a few suspensions, and that alignment issue you bring up is not even really an issue. the amount of strength required to flex the sway bar to line up the links is minimal, the issue with the sway bar links really resides in the tendancy of the hex fitting inside the bolt to rust and strip out. due to the layout of the links, they require a wrench on the bolt and there is a hex fitting on the bolt. In order to remove the torqued nut without spinning the bolt through the link u need this hex and it's a real pain in the a$$. oh, and if u strip one out the dealership is gonna charge you somewhere in the vicinity of 100 bucks per link, but they're available on the web for around 60, so take a look at the condition of them and plan ahead.....same thing with the strut boots. The last thing you wanna do is put the struts in with bad boots or no boots, becuause dirt and dust will damage the strut piston rod ruining the seal and overal incapacitating the strut, negating your new investment.

another issue that i just remembered, if you put the wheel on and then try and get to the bolts on the sway bar link you'll find that it's nearly impossible due to thelack of room for a wrench, and if you can get in there, it's a real pain in the a$$ and besides the alligment from the sway bar won't be that far off because it's still attached on the other side...and besides, why raise and lower your car any more times than you have to.....doesn't make much sense really...

[soundlzrd]

Kenrathboy, Thanks for you support! Email me or call and we¡¦ll talk.
Everyone else, Yes my prices are more than what you can get on eBay. What do you get from eBay though? Is eBay trying to get suppliers to make more products for you? Are they a Camry enthusiast themselves? I am! I started CT Motorsport because I didn¡¦t like my lack of choices when it came to Camry parts. I want more, I am greedy. I have yet to make a dime of CT Motorsport. Everything I do is out of pocket. I understand I have yet to bring anything unique to market, but it¡¦s due to lack of support and money. I make enough a year off of CT Motorsport to break even, nothing more. If you want to save money eBay is great, but if you want more options, give me a chance.
To everyone who has supported me, Thanks! I have much planed in the upcoming months. I think everyone will be pleased ļ
Sean
www.ctmotorsport.com

[gaak]

yeah soundlzrd, the suppliers on ebay are putting out first quality products and their eibach springs are 86 bucks cheaper than yours.....i have to tell you that while i appreciate the custom camry theme of your online store, my wallet is really appreciating the whole ebay thing....sorry dude

[dj14901]

Gaak -

You're entitled to your opinion, and I can see where you're coming from. If price is the entire equation for your purchases, it's tough to beat eBay. However, the other part of the equation that's very important to me is customer service. What happens if you have a problem w/the part? Sean puts his reputation on the line each time someone on these forums orders something from him. And you know what, I've never seen a "Soundlzrd screwed me!!!" post

Sean offers a lot more than just products, he offers a lot of support and advice on this (and other) Camry forums, which you're not going to get from some guy on eBay. He's posted his phone #s and has offered to walk through a strut/spring installation for a member on this forum. How many guys on eBay will do that?

Sean goes the extra mile, and I appreciate that. For example, my parents bought a Toyota Echo (still can't tell you why), which is a decent car for the money, but has a ton of body roll. I saw that Whiteline has a sway bar kit for the Echo, so I emailed Sean to see if he could get me one. So, to make a long story short, he made a special order and I'm going to get the swaybar. Try emailing the guy on eBay and see if he'll do that for you!

Overally, it's a buyer's market and you're entitiled to use whomever you'd like, but to me the customer service that Sean provides is worth a few extra $$$.

Just my $0.02

DJ

[5spd V6 ClrTail]

It's not necessarily $65 for alignment in NYC. I've done 4 wheels for $45. Every year or so i do it for $45.