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The rear end was literally falling apart on my 93 camry and I've done a little work on it but its still not perfect. I need some help.
I knew for sure that one strut mount was gone, and both struts were shot so I decided to put new struts and mounts on both sides. While working on this I realized one wheelbearing was also shot, replaced that. Still had a rattle on small bumps so I decided to replace one of the swaybar links which had a torn boot. It still seemed tight but it did eliminate most of the rattle.
Still has a tiny bit of a rattle. The swaybar link on the other side wasnt replaced. The boots are still good and the ends dont seem to have any play by hand at all. But they havent been replaced as long as I can remember.
I'm pretty sure that other link is most of my problem but just want to know for sure. Is there anything else in the rear suspension that can cause a noise other then struts, mounts, swaybar links and swaybar bushings? Anything else to look for?
You said you did the swaybar link on one side, but have you done the bushings themselves yet? It was unclear from your post, that's why I ask. I'll bet that's the source. Both my '87 and my '95 Camrys had the exact same problem. After new busings were installed, no more problem.
Steve
PS the bushings are cheap, but be careful taking the bolts out that hold teh busings in place... since you're in Canada I'll guess you've got some rust up there, I'd hit those bolts with some kind of penetrant and let 'er sit before you take them out.
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'08 Camry LE 5-speed. Traded for an '04 Mustang GT.
Had a similiar problem on our 98. I replaced the swaybar bushings and the noise completely disappeared. One quick test for the bushings is to jack up the rear of the car and try to move the swaybar back and forth with just light pressure. If it moves easy, the bushings are shot. I was surprised at how much smaller the hole in the new bushings was when compared to my old bushings with only around 75,000 miles on them. As mentioned above, the bushings are cheap. Good luck with the noise.
I have a rear suspension rattle to, whenever i go over bumps and shit...but i was told the bushings can only be bought from a toyota dealer. is that tru? how much should they cost??
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Bagged 1995 Toyota Camry LE I4 92k
1999 Lexus SC400 153k
The sway bar bushings go and they don't cost that much to replace. Mine, I could wiggle the sway bar in the bushing. My car had a lot of rear end noise rattle going over bumps.
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85 LE 2SE 500K km - died trying to push a semi off the road
95 LE 5SFE 530K km, 530K km changed engine, 549K km second engine died, now 554K Km running with a 98 5SFE block and head
01 XLE V6 310K km
Yes, by moving I mean from side to side or toward one rear tire and then the other rear tire.
Durrby,
The bushings from the Toyota dealer should be around $12 each. I'm not sure if you can get them aftermarket, but you could shop around if you want to. I just bought them at the dealer.
I know that the most common is strut mount but I plan to lower my car + change out strut when I have the money, and then change the strut mount at that time. So doing the mount is not a good idea at the moment.
What are some of the procedures that I can take to isolate /identify the problem ?
One quick test for the bushings is to jack up the rear of the car and try to move the swaybar back and forth with just light pressure. If it moves easy, the bushings are shot.
Just tried this today. I gave it a little more than "light pressure" but it did move without applying too much force. Plus when I had all 4 struts replaced like a year ago the guy told me that I needed the bushings too but they needed to be ordered from a dealer. So i'm gonna call the nearest toyota dealers parts department i guess tomorrow and see how bad they try and rape me on the parts. Do you think i'm better off having toyota just replace them or just go to a local mechanic and have them do it? I say this because this type of job is outta my league.
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Bagged 1995 Toyota Camry LE I4 92k
1999 Lexus SC400 153k
Aren't these swaybar bushings easy to replace? You just jack up the rear end of the car and there's one bushing on each side. It takes a socket wrench to remove either one or two bolts and it comes right off. Also, apply a layer of lithium grease around the inner part of the bushing. Repeat for the other side. I attached a picture but I'm at school and I don't have anything to circle the swaybar bushing and sorry it's kinda big because I can't resize it here. The picture is taken sideways. If you see the grey colored strut, it's right on top of it in the picture.
Aren't these swaybar bushings easy to replace? You just jack up the rear end of the car and there's one bushing on each side. It takes a socket wrench to remove either one or two bolts and it comes right off. Also, apply a layer of lithium grease around the inner part of the bushing. Repeat for the other side. I attached a picture but I'm at school and I don't have anything to circle the swaybar bushing and sorry it's kinda big because I can't resize it here. The picture is taken sideways. If you see the grey colored strut, it's right on top of it in the picture.
What's nice is the silence from the rear end after you change them. What a difference.
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85 LE 2SE 500K km - died trying to push a semi off the road
95 LE 5SFE 530K km, 530K km changed engine, 549K km second engine died, now 554K Km running with a 98 5SFE block and head
01 XLE V6 310K km
I know that the most common is strut mount but I plan to lower my car + change out strut when I have the money, and then change the strut mount at that time. So doing the mount is not a good idea at the moment.
What are some of the procedures that I can take to isolate /identify the problem ?
Sometimes the rubber boot covering the shock breaks, then it rattles within the coil spring. You can check that visually.
Also a bad ball joint can produce a rattle.
The sway bar links (on GEN 3 and later camry's) can rattle too.
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85 LE 2SE 500K km - died trying to push a semi off the road
95 LE 5SFE 530K km, 530K km changed engine, 549K km second engine died, now 554K Km running with a 98 5SFE block and head
01 XLE V6 310K km
Just got off the phone with a local Toyota Parts Department...they want $16.50 per bushing. Isn't that a little much, shouldn't it be around $11-12?? Should I just shell out the extra $4-5 per bushing?
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Bagged 1995 Toyota Camry LE I4 92k
1999 Lexus SC400 153k
www.1sttoyotaparts.com ... $7.70 per bushing, +10% for shipping.
Not a plug... I took the price they gave and ordered them from a local dealer at the same price.
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--- Procrastination ---
"Hard work pays off over time, but laziness always pays off now."
I'm having the same problem. over every bump I hear a rattle. In that picture can someone please circle which bushings I need to change. I'm leaving for florida in a couple of weeks and would like to do it before the long drive. Thanks
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