[JunkmanJim]

I just bought this 1998 Camry XLE 3.0, the rear suspension is squeaking. I pushed down on the back and the struts seem OK. I think the problem may be the sway bar bushings, the fresh rub spot on the bar doesn't look good. The lady who sold me the car said the squeaking got worse in cold weather. This is not a performance car, just a daily driver. Does it look like the bushings need replacing? And are there other bushings that should be changed if these two large ones are replaced?
Thanks for reading, Jim

 

[bdy0003]

Its normal for these to be replaced at this time. People have recommended getting Moog. Of course, you could always upgrade your rear sway bar and those come with the bushings. Most also replace the rear endlinks, but I guess that depends on the conditions of which you drive your car and how 'violent' you drive your car.

 

[zppeacock]

If the bar can be moved back in forth in the bushing its time for new bushings. There fairly cheap even the oem ones. They normally dont cause a squeek but more of a clunk.

 

[RU2CHKN]

You could minimize the squeaking using lithium grease. You can get at any hardware store, I personally heard that you could wrap the sway bar where the bushings sits with teflon tape and that could get rid of the squeaking.

 

[hzt30]

You could spray some silicone on the bushings. If the squeak subsides or goes away then you have located the source. I had a bad squeak in my Camry, you could hear it by bouncing the rear up and down. I replaced the sway bar bushings and now it is quiet as a Church mouse.

 

[fenixus]

http://hubpages.com/hub/90-01-Toyota-Camry-Sway-Stabalizer-Bar-Bushing-Replacement

gen4 camry FSM says torque on bracket bolts 14ft-lbs

Rockauto.com carries good and inexpensive Moog bushings.
search forums for a 5% off discount code.

according to my last search for 02 solara they were at $25 including shipping to NJ, all 4 (front & rear).

 

[glenpointe]

2001 Camry 3.0L. This may be old thread, but helpful.
I had a squeaking/creaking noise at the right rear suspension when rode over bump but I could not isolate the location. I replaced the sway bar bushings (because it's only few bucks), and the noise still there. I took the bullet and replaced the struts, and the noise still there. Then I spray the trailing arm bushing (the end mounted to the knuckle) with W40 and Lithium grease, to be surprised, the noise went away.
If you have this noise, watch this video. I had the identical noise, but did not replace the bushing. I sprayed with W40 and Lithium grease and it worked.

 

[norm356]

petroleum based lubricants will tend to attack the rubber and lead to its deterioration

Better to use something designed to work with rubber, like lithium glycol grease (Toyota Pink Grease / Toyota Rubber Grease, 08887-01206) / Nyglide RX (assy lube) or Honda Orange (Nyglide RM), or Sylglide (castor oil). These are used on rubber seals during assembly.

Another good option is to use a lanolin based undercoating spray, like Fluid Film, or Boeshield, or Woolwax.

 

[2019PDGM]

this sounds like my low speed wagon squeak. I await the warm weather to attack it