looking at new tokico struts - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

avengeffaf · 10-01-2005, 09:29 AM

my 1998 camry is approaching about 90k and the ride quality has gotten really bad. it's gets bumpy on roads that don't look *that* bad. i also hear a loud squeak, coming from the rear, whenever i go over even slight speed bumps.

after reading through the forums, i wasn't sure what would be the best option for me. i will be definitely investing in new tokico struts, as many people said that improved ride quality drastically. (am i right in thinking that the tokico hp struts that fit the lexus es300 97-01 are the same ones that fit the camry 97-01?)

but, not knowing too much about cars, i wasn't sure if the struts alone would fix the squeak in the back, or if this was an entirely different problem. (i read somewhere that strut mounts might be the culprit, but i may have misunderstood what i read)

also, are most mechanics willing to install new equipment that you bring *to* them?

thanks for any help you can provide. (i'm sorry if this was all covered in another thread. i have searched several times, but haven't been able to get all the information together).

CDub LXi · 10-01-2005, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avengeffaf

my 1998 camry is approaching about 90k and the ride quality has gotten really bad. it's gets bumpy on roads that don't look *that* bad. i also hear a loud squeak, coming from the rear, whenever i go over even slight speed bumps.

after reading through the forums, i wasn't sure what would be the best option for me. i will be definitely investing in new tokico struts, as many people said that improved ride quality drastically. (am i right in thinking that the tokico hp struts that fit the lexus es300 97-01 are the same ones that fit the camry 97-01?)

but, not knowing too much about cars, i wasn't sure if the struts alone would fix the squeak in the back, or if this was an entirely different problem. (i read somewhere that strut mounts might be the culprit, but i may have misunderstood what i read)

also, are most mechanics willing to install new equipment that you bring *to* them?

thanks for any help you can provide. (i'm sorry if this was all covered in another thread. i have searched several times, but haven't been able to get all the information together).

On the es300 I'm not sure..

The squeaking could be coming front your tops of your struts (the part that holds the spring down....

Most mechanics will NOT install parts you bring to them if it's a large company. A lot of smaller companies (read mom and pop shops) will. You're going to be looking at some money to get them installed. Do them yourself.. it isn't that hard. Just go to autozone and rent some spring compressors (you get refunded 100% even tax after you return them).

keylogger · 10-01-2005, 11:26 AM

The repair is pretty easy. All you need is a jack, maybe a spring compressor, a few good wrenches, and goog ol Wd40 or another type of penetrating fluid. When I first started tuning with my friend, it took us about 4 hours to change both his front stuts and testing them on the road. now that i look at it, i think i could have changed them in 2 hours alone because of experience i gained. Im still new at tunning so, try to read up on how to do it on those handy dandy repair manuals. Also if you want, get some beer or coolaid. try to relax, dont get that buzzed and be patient. This self install will will save you more than $ 100 USD in installation. Just read up. Its easy, you have us to back you up. And maybe you can do a step by step installation guide hopefully with pictures. to help other people out.

Just be patient with the install, the experience will pay off.

AVL92CAMRY · 10-01-2005, 11:33 AM

Sometimes the "squeak" in the rear suspension is caused by the rubber sway bar bushings. Give them a shot of rubber lube and see if that helps.

Karl

CDub LXi · 10-01-2005, 11:36 AM

http://home.comcast.net/~cdub01/teinjob/page1.htm

If that dumbass can do it... anyone can

oh wait, that's me

avengeffaf · 10-01-2005, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Body LX

http://home.comcast.net/~cdub01/teinjob/page1.htm

If that dumbass can do it... anyone can

oh wait, that's me

haha thanks, that's pretty easy to follow.
i just have to get the balls to go ahead and do this myself now.
i'll report back in a week if i haven't lost an eye from a spring.

brink · 10-01-2005, 12:19 PM

If you're going to DIY, my advice is as soon as you get the wheels off, make sure you can loosen the swaybar endlinks all the way around. The whole install is super-easy -- except for that particular part. If you can't get the endlinks off, you're going to be dead in the water and it sucks to have to reinstall a half-uninstalled strut or three.

rusty9 · 10-01-2005, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avengeffaf

haha thanks, that's pretty easy to follow.
i just have to get the balls to go ahead and do this myself now.
i'll report back in a week if i haven't lost an eye from a spring.

you'll lose more than an eye (read "you can die") from a spring thats released improperly. ive seen a spring fly off and shoot nearly 20 feet straight up and embedd itself in a solid wood rafter. sure is a scary thing to see.

seriously, its not that difficult if you work smart and follow directions.

keylogger · 10-01-2005, 05:10 PM

thats a good link. its basically just unscrewing a few nuts and bolts. have fun. its a good saturday morining project. it shouldnt take you that long.

skewe · 10-01-2005, 05:22 PM

think u need to change besides the struts.

strut mounts / bumper stop. cos those things would go and would always give u problems, like clunking / squeaking sound.

look into changing and also greasing the sway bar links as those things on gen 3-4 have been known to cause the sound.

Big Body LX is a good start.

avengeffaf · 10-01-2005, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skewe

think u need to change besides the struts.

strut mounts / bumper stop. cos those things would go and would always give u problems, like clunking / squeaking sound.

look into changing and also greasing the sway bar links as those things on gen 3-4 have been known to cause the sound.

Big Body LX is a good start.

ah the mounts. thanks for pointing that out! i saw that in some other threads, but wasn't 100% positive. but hey, if i'm going to be getting in there, i may as well replace some other stuff too.

Constantday · 10-01-2005, 06:49 PM

Not meaning to hijack your thread but I'm curious about the danger with the springs when you are removing the struts.

When you remove the strut the spring is compressed with the spring compressor, but what if you want to put new springs on? How do you remove the springs without blowing your arm or head off? What is the procedure?

I tried searching but does anyone have any links to this procedure for a Camry (or even anothe make/model of car)? I have downloaded the manual that is "stickied" here on the board but it doesn't deal with removing the springs after you take them off.

BTW - my rear noise was mainly strut mounts also...

skewe · 10-01-2005, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Constantday

Not meaning to hijack your thread but I'm curious about the danger with the springs when you are removing the struts.

When you remove the strut the spring is compressed with the spring compressor, but what if you want to put new springs on? How do you remove the springs without blowing your arm or head off? What is the procedure?

I tried searching but does anyone have any links to this procedure for a Camry (or even anothe make/model of car)? I have downloaded the manual that is "stickied" here on the board but it doesn't deal with removing the springs after you take them off.

BTW - my rear noise was mainly strut mounts also...

same thing.
use the spring compressor to put on the springs.

i think the major problem is removing the bolts that hold the strut mounts and the shcoks..

FYI, u might want to use toyota strut mounts and KYB strut mounts might have some fitting problems. i read one on the thread.

CDub LXi · 10-01-2005, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Constantday

When you remove the strut the spring is compressed with the spring compressor, but what if you want to put new springs on? How do you remove the springs without blowing your arm or head off? What is the procedure?

You compress the spring, then disassemble the strut (take the top off). After you take the top nut off you take the strut assembly apart. You take the spring off. You uncomress the spring using the spring compressors.. you'll do a little of each side the same way you compressed them.. don't just uncompress one side (it's not only dangerous to do one side completely and then the other but it's also harder than doing each side a little at a time) Then you compress the aftermarket spring, put it on the strut, reassemble the strut, put the top nut back on, then uncompress the spring keeping it in the footing (you'll know what I'm talking about when you're doing it).

So basically, COMPRESS the spring before disassembling the strut. UNCOMPRESS the spring AFTER it's off the strut. COMPRESS the new spring before putting it on the strut. UNCOMPRESS the spring ONLY once the strut is reassembled...

If you do it out of this order, prepare for bad things to happen.

avengeffaf · 10-01-2005, 10:47 PM

can anyone recommend any discount online retailers for strut mounts? they seem kind of pricey