1998 Avalon front strut mounts

[samsquared]

I've read a number of messages posted here about the front strut mounts but I haven't seen any opinions about whether or not this is a safety issue. Several shops have told me the same diagnosis about what is causing the noise from the right front. I asked them this question and no one suggested that it was a safety problem. They did say that the car would not stay aligned and unequal tire wear would result.

I see no reason why they would turn down the possibility of doing some work if this weren't true. The car has 135,000 miles on it.

Any opinions?

[sickwilly]

I had my front struts and strut mounts replaced, but I still have a front right end suspension noise. I now think its a bushing or control arm. Oh well, I have done all I am going to do for the noise.

My point is to be sure that is what is making the noise. I assumed and was wrong.

[ImDisaster]

From my experience, and talking to a well regarded shop, worn mounts should not cause safety or tire wear issues. They should be able to do an adequate alignment. It will cause noise and slightly sloppier handling, however...as will the other worn parts...sway bar bushings, control arm ball joints. When you get up in the 80-100K range the Avalon will show a lot of wear in all the suspension and steering components. The only way to quiet it down is go through the lot and replace them. If you do it yourself you can save some serious money. If you have a shop do it...a reputable one, it can cost $1000 or more. A dealer might cost twice that.

Ours was making some nasty hard knocking noise over every little bump. Ended up costing $950 dollars to replace a all kinds of steering and suspension components and that quieted that down but we still get a clunking from the strut mounts themselves which will end up being the next "project"...along with a strut replacement...and probably new springs.

By the way, if you check Consumer Reports you will see the one area the Avalon gets dinged is the suspension.