[speedkar9]

Here's how to replace the strut or strut mount using spring compressors on a Toyota or Lexus with MacPherson strut front suspension. I made a short DIY video on the process:

While quick-struts are available for these cars, not all of them are made to the same quality and specifications as the OE spring or strut mount. Depending on which component you want to replace, using spring compressors to take apart the strut is an effective way to save some money and maintain the spring/strut/mount combo you want.

In my case, the struts were already replaced at some point, but the bearing in the strut was binding, so I opted to replace just the strut mount.

I diagnosed the bearing was bad by turning the wheel, and noticed the spring was sticking and clunking. I also had an alignment issue with the vehicle pulling to the left and having memory steer:

Here are some of the bolts you need to loosen up, sway bar link nut, two knuckle to strut bolts, and the ABS/brake line bolt.

Also helps to remove the ABS sensor out of the way so it doesn't get damaged, if yours isn't rusty:

Next, reach under the hood and unbolt the three top strut mount bolts and remove the strut:

Next up, you'll need spring compressors. Make sure you get the ones with the locking pins and not some cheap ones that will slip.

Install the spring compressors at 180 degrees apart. Compress each one a little at a time so the spring compresses evenly. If it does start to slip, back it off and try again. Keep the strut pointed sideways away from your body in case the pretension in the spring suddenly releases.

Remove the strut and bellow from the assembly. Check that the strut rebounds when compressed. If its very slow, it needs to be replaced:

My strut mount bearing was mangled, there was no grease, and the bearing plate had a hole in it:

I installed a new Mevotech strut mount:

When assembling the mount, ensure the spring seats properly in the bottom and top seats when releasing spring tension. Tighten the strut mount center bolt (loosely, not crazy tight). Final torque once installed on the vehicle:

I hope this helps someone, enjoy!

 

[Kingdom934]

Very nice DIY!

I feel like sometimes you nearly gotta go all way down to compress it. It's kind of scary.

Might want to add picture on the strut spring upper plate. They need to be facing a certain way. OEM ones has an arrow on which way they need to be facing out. So much corrosion on the parts!

I'll be doing this rather soon. Handling in my 2004 SE is getting very scary.

 

[scubacat]

Might want to add picture on the strut spring upper plate. They need to be facing a certain way. OEM ones has an arrow on which way they need to be facing out. So much corrosion on the parts!

I bought 2 new OEM upper spring plates along with mounts and bearings because I couldn't figure out some of the "rubbing" noise I was getting and got sick of it. It turns out that when I replaced the struts a couple of years ago, I missed that little arrow on the upper plate and had them almost completely backwards. D'oh. What a dumb mistake. I had the top mount arrow correct, but it's that spring seat plate arrow I just totally whiffed on. Fortunately the only expense was buying some parts I didn't really need, but I guess replacing the mounts with new OEM after 16 years isn't the worst thing. Even though the previous bearings seemed OK, I swapped them out since I already had the new ones in-hand and running a couple of years at the odd angle could have begun to wear them down. I also sprung for the OEM struts and changed them because the aftermarket KYBs are just too frikkin rough and the wife complained about it all the time. (I can't say I particularly enjoyed the bumpy ride, either, though.)

I've been through suspension changeouts not only on our Toyotas but also an older Ford minivan and unfortunately none of the aftermarket stuff is anywhere near OEM ride quality. The Monroes come close..... for about a year until you're just bouncing around on the springs again.

 

[SFCamry]

A good thing to do is to break the top nut (shock) with the strut still bolted into place via those three mount nuts. It is...fun...to try to break that nut loose when you have the strut compressed on the ground. Soooo much easier to just break the nut loose (do not take it off) while you have it tight and secure in the mount. In reverse the same is true: torque it to value when you have already bolted in the three mount nuts. If you have an air compressor and the impact tool it is not a big deal, but when you don't... yeah.

Loads of people out there concerned with the spring clamps. I rented the one from AutoZone and had no issue at all. Was super easy in fact, and saved a bunch of money to DIY it and re-use the spring instead of the quick strut.

 

[Kingdom934]

A good thing to do is to break the top nut (shock) with the strut still bolted into place via those three mount nuts. It is...fun...to try to break that nut loose when you have the strut compressed on the ground. Soooo much easier to just break the nut loose (do not take it off) while you have it tight and secure in the mount. In reverse the same is true: torque it to value when you have already bolted in the three mount nuts. If you have an air compressor and the impact tool it is not a big deal, but when you don't... yeah.

Loads of people out there concerned with the spring clamps. I rented the one from AutoZone and had no issue at all. Was super easy in fact, and saved a bunch of money to DIY it and re-use the spring instead of the quick strut.

I would re-use the factory spring just because I don't feel the quick struts keep the OEM factory damper settings. I would go KYB struts over OEM/Monroe just because I like them to be a bit firmer, although if the price difference between the KYB to Monroe is significant, I might go with Monroe. My 2004 XLE V6 I believe will need struts eventually but they are not dead yet. Just getting soft.

For those who are reading this, I also have pictures describing this job as well.

https://www.toyotanation.com/forum/...2004-camry-se-suspension-work-kyb-eibach.html


I used this spring compressor

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SX5RSA4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Don't seem to have it anymore. Not not it has just the nut on top, but you can fit a 1/2" extension and loosen/tighten it up. worked great removing the factory struts/springs and installing the Eibach.

 

[thirteenthcor]

Now for the million dollar question:

What way are the arrows supposed to point?

I'm about to do struts on a '95 Camry and this is the only crucial piece of information I can't find.

 

[vibeusa]

I used this spring compressor

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SX5RSA4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have two of these kits which allow even compression of the coil spring (closely resembles the SST in the FSM):