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Toyota Camry Suspension Questions

146 messages,  Last post on Mar 25, 2012 at 10:14 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Camry, Suspension, Sedan

Messages Page 1 of 15

#2 of 146 Struts for '96 Camry by hallage

Jan 30, 2005 (4:49 pm)

I have 113,000mi. Thinking about replacing the struts. Do you think I should replace the front only? Or would I notice a big difference replacing the rear also. Also would the KYB GR-2 give a stiffer ride compared to genuine Toyota replacements?
 
Thanks.

#3 of 146 Re: Struts for '96 Camry [hallage] by loucapri

Jan 31, 2005 (9:47 am)

Replying to: hallage (Jan 30, 2005 4:49 pm)
is there any leak from the struts or you just think it's about time to replace them since it has over 110K miles?
 
I have a 97 with 103K miles, no leak from the struts and didn't really give me a reason why I should replace them.
 
Unless you want a stiffer ride? If you decided to replace them, I think you should replace them all (4). Please let us know the outcome too.

#4 of 146 Re: Struts for '96 Camry [loucapri] by jbkennedy

Feb 02, 2005 (4:47 pm)

Replying to: loucapri (Jan 31, 2005 9:47 am)
I have a 97 also with 80K miles and it rides ok when I am alone but when I have a car full of people, I bottom out over speed bumps and driveways.
 
Do you think new struts would help?

#5 of 146 Re: Struts for '96 Camry [jbkennedy] by loucapri

Feb 03, 2005 (12:49 pm)

Replying to: jbkennedy (Feb 02, 2005 4:47 pm)
I usually drive by myself (once a while with my baby and wife) but don't have the buttom out issue but I do see other carmys riding "low" on the rear end when there are people in the back.
 
i don't know if a new set of struts will help when riding with 4-5 adults but it probably might help.
 
I just notice this morning when I made a big loop turn to get into the freeway ramp, my 97 felt a little lose and bumpy. lot's of body roll. I should chk my struts too, I guess

#6 of 146 Re: Struts for '96 Camry [loucapri] by hallage

Feb 05, 2005 (2:54 pm)

Replying to: loucapri (Jan 31, 2005 9:47 am)
Felt that ride is softer than it used to be. The car bounces a couple of times after going over railroad tracks or a speed bump. And not as definite a feeling cornering, than it used to. I just had some work done on the engine - replaced the front seals, engine mount, etc. and now the engine feels like new. Just thought if I replaced the struts I'd feel like I had a new car again and ready for keeping it another 10 years.

#7 of 146 Re: Struts for '96 Camry [hallage] by peterpan

Feb 06, 2005 (2:50 pm)

Replying to: hallage (Feb 05, 2005 2:54 pm)
Struts are worn by about 100K -120K miles.
 
If any tire has unusual wear, that's the sign of bad struts. The shop can inspect and determine which struts are bad and need replacement, usually by finding oil leaks.
 
Bad struts can cause loss control of cars in emergency lane changes or tight turns, esp. in FWD cars. Can be very dangerous.
 
New struts prevents unusual tire wear and improve both tire and gas mileage. Some brands offer lifetime warranty.

#8 of 146 Re: Struts for '96 Camry [peterpan] by hallage

Feb 06, 2005 (9:13 pm)

Replying to: peterpan (Feb 06, 2005 2:50 pm)
Are you saying that there wouldn't be a deterioration of function in a strut even though there was no leak?
 
Do you know if the KYB GR-2 gives a much stiffer ride compared to genuine Toyota replacements? I think it would be best if I tried to match the original ride quality. What would you recommend?

#9 of 146 Re: Struts for '96 Camry [hallage] by peterpan

Feb 07, 2005 (12:57 pm)

Replying to: hallage (Feb 06, 2005 9:13 pm)
Hi Hallage,
 
If there is no leak, the struts should work OK.
 
You should not rely on your feels to determine whether the struts are working properly or not. Chances are you cannot feel it. You should rely on hard evidences, such as oil leaks or unusual tire wear patterns, i.e. scalloping or feathering etc...
 
I has 2 bad front struts that wore out tires prematurely but the ride was OK. When replaced with new Japanese gas struts with lifetime warr (forgot the brand), I felt no difference in the ride and handling of the car, but the tires stopped wearing unevenly and made less noise.
 
With the bad struts, I got into a very scary loss of control of the car on freeway when I did a quick lane change to avoid merging traffic while cruising at about 65MPH. The car wobbled very hard from left to right and careened on 2 highway lane for about 30 sec. I really thought it would roll over. Luckily there was no traffic at night or I would have wiped out many cars, or crushed in a big multi-car accident. I am not easily scared but was very scared in that incident.
 
Dealer said bad struts are known for causing lateral instability in FWD cars.

#10 of 146 Re: Struts for '96 Camry [peterpan] by purrformabvspc

Feb 10, 2005 (12:54 am)

Replying to: peterpan (Feb 07, 2005 12:57 pm)
If you are replacing your struts with KYB , you'll need new strut mounts too. These are wear & tear items. It cost $55 to $65 for both front s. mounts (KYB mounts).
  
  I have 2001 Solara with new KYB struts with old mounts, and there was struts rubber fiction noise coming from the back. I replaced it, and problem is gone.
 
 Now the front strut mounts are giving me problem.
I have 215 55 16 tires not OEM 205 60 16 with 4 KYB GR2 struts. It handles good, and ride good with Michelin Pilot.
 
 Most European & Japanese touring (coupe)cars have 55 aspect ratio, and there's more tire options.

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