Size matters...FRONT sway bar bushings '98 avalon xls

[avalonian98]

first post/reply here...i'm a newby and it's my first foreign car. i've got a 98 toyota avalon xls and need to do some front end suspension work. i've searched the forums and seem to have found one reply about front sway bar bushing size. can someone please confirm (or re-confirm) the size bushings i need to buy for the FRONT sway bar??? is it 18mm????? thanks.

also, i'm going to replace my struts...keeping original coil springs. thinking of going with kyb gr2's....mounts, insulators, spring seats, bellows. any thoughts? lastly, links too. thanks again!

[The Digital MagE]

my thoughts are that replacing the coil springs after 12 years of pounding will give much more, in the way of return, than buying fancy stuff...

[avalonian98]

yes, it's 12 yrs old (1998 avalon xls)....but it has 52,000 miles, which isn't to say the springs are perfect. maybe i'm making a mistake by NOT installing new springs??? it doesn't seem to sit low and doing a bounce test seems i get a good response. but, i'd welcome more input on the subject of replacing springs along with struts/mounts.

as to "fancy stuff", i'm not trying to be fancy...rather, i'm looking to eliminate clunking and rattling noise in the front suspension....and to improve the overall ride. seems it has little or no cushioning when going over bumps. actually, the front drivers side is quite solid. initially, i thought my problem is the strut mount causing the rattling and that the strut itself is good. but, as i decide to replace the front struts and mount...why not do the sway bar bushings and links as well.

i still don't know what size sway bar bushings i need for the front. it's the original front sway bar ....as installed by the factory when the car was built

[The Digital MagE]

i'm sorry to say i don't know what size the bar is. do you have a caliper? autozone might lend one out the front door...

i just did what you're planning. i bought "safety struts" - so called because they come new in box, ready to install, with all parts new (including springs, mounts, struts, etc.) they're a LOT cheaper than buying the struts and other parts separately... but still cost over $700 for a set of four.

as you install the struts (while the old one is out) is the easiest time to do the bushings. takes patience and an open end wrench... grrrr also, the links between the sway bar and the strut housing can make noise. wiggle it violently, up and down. if it clicks, replace it (autozone - $25).

you should be seeing 3-4 inches between the top of the tires and the lip of the fender. i know you're not. the springs on these things were crap. in fact i think the whole car was not up to toyota's standards, at all. now i have tie rods that are rusted so badly the damn nuts will not turn so i can set the toe... it never seems to end and, if i knew then what i knew now, there would be no avalon in the drive and a lot more $$$ in the bank!

[Jigg007]

Before I replaced my struts/coils, you could not fit a finger between the tire and fender, after, the whole hand just slips in tight, no problem. (hurrr)

Even if it has 50K on it, id imagine over a decade of supporting 2 tons the springs eventually compress. When I actually relieved the strut from the spring, the spring fell into pieces.

Once removed, I was able to collapse a strut with the force of my pinky finger. Now Id imagine my struts had more miles than your 50K, but are not 12 years old, to where yours may be leaky over the years giving poor performance.

Clunking rattling noises, bushings! check the control arm bushing too, that made a lot of noise for me. Strut mounts too.

Alignment? S:

EDIT:

Originally Posted by WetOne

Excuse me Boogie 17mm for the rear, 18mm for the front.

Context 97 Avalon

[golfinator]

Think you'll find the GR2's will give you more of a performance/ stiffer ride for more responsive handling. If you like a cushy ride or do long distance rides, I'd stick with an OEM.

[avalonrider]

I have a 98 Avalon. The front is 17mm and rear is 16mm. I would definitely use a caliper to measure.