Strange rattle

98 Camry, 4 cyl, 180K

Almost like a vibration going over rough rode. New struts and strut mounts
did not clear it up. Sounds like its coming from A pillar and forward.
Strange anomalies: More pronounced with a passenger. Pretty much disappears
with a good weight in the trunk.

Suggestions?

RD

"RD" <dosvader2061@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:e37sik$a3t$1@tribune.usask.ca...[color=blue]
> 98 Camry, 4 cyl, 180K
>
> Almost like a vibration going over rough rode. New struts and strut mounts
> did not clear it up. Sounds like its coming from A pillar and forward.
> Strange anomalies: More pronounced with a passenger. Pretty much[/color]
disappears[color=blue]
> with a good weight in the trunk.
>
> Suggestions?
>
> RD[/color]

If its a light rattle, its more likely to be a component of the suspension
which is not under a lot of load, such as the roll or sway-bar connections.
These are rubber shock-insulated small ball-joints IIRC. A proper inspection
shuld not be difficult in locating them as the fault.

If its a heavier sound, considering the struts have been replaced, I'd be
examining the lower-arm bushes, the lower ball-joint which supports the
lower end of the strut, and the upper rotaional mount of the strut.

Other culprits could be the brake-caliper slide-pins rattling (check caliper
for rigidity in its mounts). Loose brakes pads can rattle due to too little
residual line pressure in the brake's hydraulics (master cylinder) or a
warped disc upsetting the pads restposition,..or the wheel itself ie
bearing, hubcap etc

The rear weight effect tho, tends to point to the rollbar or the strut's
mounting hardware.

Jason

I have a 99 Camry that is in need of rear struts. I was just curious
what did you end up spending on the struts and mounts?

"Jason James" <Cleveland@351.factory.4v> wrote in message
news:445794c8$1@news.comindico.com.au...[color=blue]
>
> "RD" <dosvader2061@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:e37sik$a3t$1@tribune.usask.ca...[color=green]
>> 98 Camry, 4 cyl, 180K
>>
>> Almost like a vibration going over rough rode. New struts and strut
>> mounts
>> did not clear it up. Sounds like its coming from A pillar and forward.
>> Strange anomalies: More pronounced with a passenger. Pretty much[/color]
> disappears[color=green]
>> with a good weight in the trunk.
>>
>> Suggestions?
>>
>> RD[/color]
>
> If its a light rattle, its more likely to be a component of the suspension
> which is not under a lot of load, such as the roll or sway-bar
> connections.
> These are rubber shock-insulated small ball-joints IIRC. A proper
> inspection
> shuld not be difficult in locating them as the fault.
>
> If its a heavier sound, considering the struts have been replaced, I'd be
> examining the lower-arm bushes, the lower ball-joint which supports the
> lower end of the strut, and the upper rotaional mount of the strut.
>
> Other culprits could be the brake-caliper slide-pins rattling (check
> caliper
> for rigidity in its mounts). Loose brakes pads can rattle due to too
> little
> residual line pressure in the brake's hydraulics (master cylinder) or a
> warped disc upsetting the pads restposition,..or the wheel itself ie
> bearing, hubcap etc
>
> The rear weight effect tho, tends to point to the rollbar or the strut's
> mounting hardware.
>
> Jason
>
>[/color]
Unfortunately, rattles are difficult, if not impossible, to diagnose without
actually hearing them.

Aftermarket brake pads sometimes rattle.

If the noise is more pronounced with a passenger in the front seat and is
less pronounced with a load in the trunk, there is an obvious remedy...
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

First of all I'm in Canada:
$84 x 2 - Munro struts 'coz the previous Toyota ones failed after only 30km
and only a one year warranty.

Labour - $50 / strut (private mechanic)
Typically, however, it usual works out to $200+ / corner.

As for Ray O suggestion, I like that one best!

"Grump" <grump_78@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1146599417.349033.323930@u72g2000cwu.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
>I have a 99 Camry that is in need of rear struts. I was just curious
> what did you end up spending on the struts and mounts?
>[/color]