Another clunking suspension thread

[Jimmyjames]

Howdy all.
I recently bought a 99 Camry Conquest with almost 100,000kms on it. It was a company car and well looked after but the only thing that was not quite right was some clunking sounds from the front suspension. More obvious on one side that the other.
I had a bit of a read about these sounds and have found a lot of people are having the same problems with their Camrys especially around this age and mileage. It appears that at least 4 different threads have specified replaced the Front Strut mounts and this seems to sort out the problems. I would do this only I then read that this doesn't always seem to be the case and I have also read that
"1997–1999 models: a missing rubber bushing in the front upper strut mounting can cause front suspension knocking."

Question 1. I am fairly technically minded and I have access to most tools. How difficult is it to replace the strut mounts?

Question 2. How confident can I be that this will solve the problem.

Question 3. Anyone ever heard about replacing these rubber bushings and did it solve their clunking problems?

I know it's not CV noise as I know that noise. The sound would be best described as a hollow clunking sound that mainly happens if I go over speed humps or potholes. It really does sound like something (heavy) is loose. I have done a basic visual and all looks OK.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated by this newcomer.

[terrastrife]

the strut mount is $20 from the dealer and itll take about 20 minutes or less with a rattle gun

jack up the car
take the wheel off
3 upper and 2 lower sturt bolts
change
process backwards.

just remember, dont pull downards too hard on the hub when you tak the strut out, youll pull the shaft out of its joint.

[steve97]

Must ask yourself the question, "if I am going to the trouble of changing the mounts, is it time to change the struts too? And how about the top and bottom insulators? And the strut bearing? What about the spring? Then you must think about the other side as well...So you see, it quickly gets out of the $20-30 range.

[Aussie Ed]

the solution depends on what you want to do and how far you want to go with it.

are you planning on modifying your camry?

if yes, i'd get sports shocks and lowered springs in the process of fixing the noise problem. to improve the overall handling of the car.

if no, just fix what needs to be fixed. if it ain't broke don't fix it.

[leasaunce]

its not that difficult to change the strut mounts if you have the right tools. I when my mechanic did it for me, i watched him do it and took him less than 10mins on each strut mount.

But i have experienced this problem before and changing the strut mounts will not clear the clunking sound. It will reduces the clunking sound. The problem is not with the rubber bushings, its the bodypanel.

You can replace all of them but trust me you will still hear some clunking noise.

hope this help.....

[RedPhoenix]

Originally Posted by terrastrife

the strut mount is $20 from the dealer and itll take about 20 minutes or less with a rattle gun

jack up the car
take the wheel off
3 upper and 2 lower sturt bolts
change
process backwards.

just remember, dont pull downards too hard on the hub when you tak the strut out, youll pull the shaft out of its joint.

$20?

[Jimmyjames]

Thanks for all of your help people.
I will jack up the car this weekend and have a look at what tools I need and then will try this during my lunch hour at work some time next week. Interestingly all of the company cars are Camrys (around the same age) and a few of them have this problem. Some of them have had the struts replaced and the sound has gone away temporarily only to return soon after (although not as loud).
Also interesting is Leasaunce reply which suggests that a body panel is the main cause of this noise. I'd love to hear exactly what panel and if there is anything that could be done.

I don't intend to keep this car for more than a year so I don't want these sounds happening when someone is taking it for a test drive. I also don't intend lowering it or spending too much money on it.

Cheers

[Ranger X]

Originally Posted by leasaunce

But i have experienced this problem before and changing the strut mounts will not clear the clunking sound. It will reduces the clunking sound. The problem is not with the rubber bushings, its the bodypanel.

The body panel?? Expalin, please! I just don't see how a body panel could be the cause of such a noise, when there is no noise at all until around the time that the strut assemblies wear out. I'm having the same exact problem, so I'd like to know what's going on.