'97 strut and shock ??? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

dstroh921 · 03-18-2007, 10:16 PM

My '97 avalon needs new struts and shocks. I'm contiplating whether I should do it my self. Is there anyone that has done it and can give me feed back? Thanks

steve326a · 03-19-2007, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dstroh921

My '97 avalon needs new struts and shocks. I'm contiplating whether I should do it my self. Is there anyone that has done it and can give me feed back? Thanks

You will need obviously floor jack, jack stands, etc. But you will also need a spring compressor. What is happening that you feel you need new struts?

dstroh921 · 03-19-2007, 12:08 PM

I've taken it into two shops and they both told me that they need to be preplaced. I believe them. My car is feeling the bumps a lot more than it use to. Have you replaced them on your '97 avalon?

steve326a · 03-19-2007, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dstroh921

I've taken it into two shops and they both told me that they need to be preplaced. I believe them. My car is feeling the bumps a lot more than it use to. Have you replaced them on your '97 avalon?

I have the struts and mounts just haven't got to getting them changed yet. But I do know that once they are, the car will ride like a baby carriage. Right now, my struts are making my car ride like a tank. When the previous owner changed them before he used Monroe-matics.

My new ones will be KYB-GR2

fj40supraman · 03-20-2007, 12:08 AM

What makes you think it needs struts?
My last Avalon had 200K and it didn't need struts, but the strut bearings on this model (95-99) are designed wrong.

zirconx · 03-20-2007, 09:11 AM

What is a strut bearing? I've been reading a lot about Camry/Avalon suspension problems... mine makes noise, I thought it was the struts but the guy I bought the car from says they are pretty new.

Is the strut bearing the same as the strut mount? I believe the strut mount goes on top of the strut and has a rubber doughnut at the top that usually not replaced with the struts, and leads to noise. I don't know if it affects ride quality. My avalon is not as smooth on the highway as I thought it would be, and I thought it might be the struts. Maybe its the tires.

KeepItSimple · 03-20-2007, 10:10 AM

My '95 Avalon with 148k takes the bumps and RR tracks pretty hard also -- for an Avalon that is. It's downright embarrassing!
I previously owned a Celica so when I got the Avalon last year it was like riding on a cloud to me. However my mom's 2000 Impala is much smoother -- the bumps aren't bone jarring at all like the Avy and you don't feel the road nearly as much. I think it's time to replace the struts (KYB) and have those mounts checked.

dstroh921 · 04-04-2007, 07:55 PM

Does anyone recommend a strut that rides nice without costing a lot?

bobcrane · 04-04-2007, 11:10 PM

Monroe Quick Struts. Didn't need a spring compressor as they come preassembled.

Rides nice.