Do i need new struts or shocks?

[desicamry91]

Really a noob question, i looked in FAQ no help.

I have a 91 Camry 4WD. have had this problem for a while.

anytime i hit a strech of bad road, damn thing bounces up and down like crazy. while making turns wierd noises too.

does this point towards struts??

anyway i was checkin the web for new struts i found

Pair of BRAND NEW " Front Gabriel Gas charged struts on EBAY for $49 US

my local partsource carries GASMATIC pair for $172 canadian

any help and feedback on the part appreciated!

[cam2Xrunner]

If you get a clicking,clunking sound when you turn and accelerate most likely your cv axle(s)needs to be replaced. it's very common on high mileage camrys. if you've got over 100k on your stock struts it's prob gonna need struts too. you dont neccesarily need new springs but if you want to lower it, now is a good time to replace them. gabriels are pretty shitty struts i wouldnt rec them, go with kyb or tokico or if your looking for a stock like feel and not a stiff strut go with a monroe sensa-trac(pretty inexspensive, and lifetime warr.) Also now would be a good time to replace your front upper strut mounts. You prob notice a clunking noise when going over speedbumps, even if you don't get that replace them anyways.

[desicamry91]

when i bought it it had 170k on it

now it has 270K on it. never had a engine problem.

trdcamry2003, i am really short on cash, and in CANADA. are these even available in canada?? the guy selling the gabriels is across the river in detroit, i just need to get from point A to B, they are good enough for that ?

here is the short bio of my rusted out camry iwill try to post some pics
spent money on mufler pipes etc.. a year ago.

not sure if i should spend money on CV axle,struts, strut mounts

last time i went in for a oil change the mechanic told me to consider the following: replace gas/brake line, get a muffler, brake rotors, timing belt.

anyway, i have ordered both chiltons and haynes repair manual and plan to do most of this stuff myself even though i am a complete noob and don't have a lot of repair equipent

[cam2Xrunner]

the gabrial will work fine if your not looking for something for performance, the gabriel are struts not shocks, you dont have shocks on your car. the timing belt is a good idea considering you have at least 100k on it, also it would be a good idea to change the waterpump while doing the timing belt because it is right there once you have the belt off. you might not need axles, they might have been changed before. look at the front axles and see if the rubber boots(cv boots) are torn open. If they are its a good probability that you need to replace the axles. Im almost 100% sure you need axles at 270k, unless of course the previous owner has changed them. but a good way to tell if they are bad is to come to a stop and turn your steering wheel all the way to one direction and accelerate. if you hear a continuos clicking sound that is your axles. What i would do is call some of the local parts stores in detroit like autozone,kragen,pep boys, or whatever they have there for these parts, and remember that they will usually price match each other to get your business. As for doing the work yourself, definitly get a haynes manual. The timing belt can be complicated for a begginer. You can probably do the brakes and axles yourself, you might need an air gun and big socket for the nut holding in the axle. I know autozone and kragen will lend you the tools you need. they wont lend out an airgun but maybe a breaker bar to get that nut off. I would have a shop repair the brake hoses and fuel lines. good luck

[cam2Xrunner]

also make sure you let the parts guy know exactly what kind of car you have ie. alltrac(4wd) v6 or 4cyl, 5spd or auto, wagon or sedan.

[captainzib]

Hmmm, I have a 2002 Camry with about 52k miles on it, and I'm getting a clicking/clunking noise from the front/right wheel well when i go over speed bumps, or make left turns. Should I consider changing the same parts?

[jokelana]

when i got my 94 camry with 134k on it there was clicking when i turned any corner.. struts were replaced no more clicking