hm my driver wheel does that, there was a thread about suspension noise, but i'm not sure if its the one you describe.

check ur strut bolt, i had someone from pepboys gun it down for me but its significantly not as far down as the one on the other side, so there's prolly somethign wrong wid my bolt or the strut teeth but yeah, check that center bolt on ur strut (check to see if the one ratteling is like higher than the other one (not as tight))

 

I have a 98 camry and I have the exact same problem. As mentioned in previous posts, I believe it is the strut mount problem. Toyota has this TSB some time ago regarding gen4 strut mount.

 

Hey thanks guys. So you guys are pretty sure it's the strut mount huh? I'll definately check that centre nut as was mentioned. Just by curiosity, if the problem were with another component of the suspension, such as the stabilizer bar or sway bar etc, what sort of sounds would I be hearing? Thanks.

 

Hey thanks guys. So you guys are pretty sure it's the strut mount huh? I'll definately check that centre strut bolt as was mentioned. Just by curiosity, if the problem were with another component of the suspension, such as the stabilizer bar or sway bar etc, what sort of sounds would I be hearing? Thanks.

 

welcome to the life of a defective strut mount for gen 4.

i have it also.. toyo should have done a recall but they do not care

 

I once talked to Toyota corporate about this very problem. The customer service person said that there is no recall currently on this, but "if enough people call and complain, then maybe Toyota will do something about it." The corporate number is 800-331-4331 for anybody who is interested in complaining.

Mike

 

I once talked to Toyota corporate about this very problem. The customer service person said that there is no recall currently on this, but "if enough people call and complain, then maybe Toyota will do something about it." The corporate number is 800-331-4331 for anybody who is interested in complaining.

Mike

I think we should. We should start a poll and ask all gen 4 owners to call.

 

Hmmmm.............I don't have any rattles per se, but I do have that *squeakin/wrenching* (???) sound from my suspension somewhere.


I realized that sounded really dumb so here's a slightly better analogy to describe it.......

Imagine rubbing your finger over a balloon filled with air. That sound. Every time I go over any undulations in the road, I get that sound.

I've heard strut mount..............then I've also heard people getting new struts w/ new mounts, etc. & STILL having the sound. So then I've heard sway bar bushings, but nobody tells how to lubricate those.


I've got a can of WD-40, Starret M1, Dry Silicone lube, etc..............ready to stop that squeaky/wrenching sound but no directions as of yet where to spray!!!

:dunno:

 

i'm getting the rattle on my right driver's wheel. Same bullshit. Has anyone taken this to be fixed? How much did it cost?

 

nope, toyo dealer is closed today

i say we get all the people who had/has this problem to complain, cause this sucks ass

 

So it seem to be unanimous. It's the strut mount. If it was my sway bar or stabilizer bar what type of sounds would I be hearing?

 

so what should I do?

Should I just keep driving with the rattle?, because it certainly sounds(as I'm sure all you guys are aware of) like there's something loose down there.Will I be doing more harm if ignore the sound and just keep driving? or should I have it repaired?

 

Well, I dunno if this'll help or not since I'm still not positive of what mine is, but.........


I found another good analogy for my noise. It's like a creeeeeeeeky old wooden floor. When you walk slowly it kind of creeeeeeeks as you go. That's what my '98 sounds like when I go up/down driveways, speedbumps, etc.

It also sounds when you go over bumps, but it's rather quick.


And to help you isolate the sound.........I would say that mine is definitely not a sound as if something's ***loose***, but more that something's just getting old.

 

Hmmmm.............I don't have any rattles per se, but I do have that *squeakin/wrenching* (???) sound from my suspension somewhere.


I realized that sounded really dumb so here's a slightly better analogy to describe it.......

Imagine rubbing your finger over a balloon filled with air. That sound. Every time I go over any undulations in the road, I get that sound.

I've heard strut mount..............then I've also heard people getting new struts w/ new mounts, etc. & STILL having the sound. So then I've heard sway bar bushings, but nobody tells how to lubricate those.


I've got a can of WD-40, Starret M1, Dry Silicone lube, etc..............ready to stop that squeaky/wrenching sound but no directions as of yet where to spray!!!

:dunno:

WD40 will do nothing.
Get marine grease cos WD40 will literally dry out in 1 day and is not sufficient for the friction.

 

i think i may have the same problem now but coming from my rear passenger wheel well...

 

If you are interested in calling toyota, please post in this thread.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t112562.html

 

I had the same problem w/ my '99. Luckily, it arose while the car was under warranty and the dealer put new front struts in it for free.

The problem never came back (knock on wood).

 

Here's what my mechanic told me about the problem. First of all, he have fixed A LOT of camry gen 4-4.5 with the same noise. The faulty strut mount will not cause any problem in a short period of time. But it may cause the struts to go bad. When this happens, it will be a safety issue.
Cost to fix it? The cost to fix the strut mount only is about $120 per side(front only). This includes labor and parts.

 

In 1999 Toyota posted a notice to all dealers that if anyone complained about the noise in the front tof the car, similar to yours, that the dealer replace the front struts under warranty. Tried to get my replaced and Toyota stated that since my car was no longer under warranty that I did not qualify to have my front structs replaced.
Great company, knew about the problem but waited for buyers to complain.

Replaced struts with Tokina Struts, (new bearings) and a plus one wheel and tire package. Huge difference. It now handles like a different car, tight and responsive, much better than new. Highly recommend.

Make sure that whomever does the installation that they torgue the damper shaft nut when the car is cold in order to eliminate any possible chance of noticing a noise and or ratteling sound. Had the problem, torged the damper shaft nut when cold and the noise in the suppension went away.

Good Luck.

 

Strut Mounts.

I Have A 99' Camry With 117,000 Miles,about Few Thousand Miles Ago. I Also Replaced The Strut Mounts At The Same Time Replaced The Struts With Tokico Blues.im Sure The Mounts Are Your Problem.

 

So I've been driving with this rattle in my front end for like 1 and a half yrs and have learned that it's likely my strut mounts. The thing is, I can get used to the annoying sound but at what point does it or will it become a safety concern? So far the condition has not affected the steering or handling of the car in any way. Can I just drive with it like this and not worry?

 

rattle fixed!!!!

Hey i see someone posted that they cranked down the center bolt on the strut to settle the ratling strut mount.I pulled my 97 in the garage,poped the hood, and used a half inch breaker bar.I torqued the center bolt real good. Test drive: ratlle gone! that rattle drove me nuts for months and i didnt have the extra cash for new mounts @ 70 a piece. Try this first, it 100%cleared up that annoying as F*** rattle and cost will only be the 5 minutes to get your drive or wrench (it is a 19mm bolt/nut. if not MAKE SURE you have the center bolt)

Use caution not to break it when using an impact wrench or breaker bar. I was able to get about 1/3 of a turn and that did the job.

hope this helps someone like it did me, let me know i would be curious

 

I tried the center bolt thing, and it didn't work out for me. In my case, the center bolt only reduces the frequency of the occurance, but did not do any good of fixing it. Yes, I was careful to not break anything. The noise really annoys the crap out of me.

Anyways, I just got a set of brand new KYB GR2 struts and mounts for a bargain price. Have a buddy that knows the seller and apparently seller willing to take a loss to buy a new "allignment machine" (anyone knows how it looks like?) for his shop. :naughty: . I am a happy camper. Anyways.......I hope, it will get rid of the problem. Planing to install it anytime soon, probably tomorrow. I will let you guys know the outcome after my installation.

Andy, thanks for hooking me up (if you're still in this forum).

 

You may have to replace your sway bar link kit some times if they have leaked or worn out they can make sounds that you hear, it attaches to the strut and the sway bar, Good luck

 

Well guys, here's my baby.She's still rattling on the front end but hey, she's got 235,000km behind her.