Jim-0000

On 6/23/2022 at 4:40 PM, Ed. said:

 

Put the front end on jack stands, ensure wheels are off the ground. Turn wheels left and right. If the spring rotates with the strut, you have fixed seats. If they don't, you have rotating spring seats.

KYBs are pretty good, well suited for everyday driving and even a bit of thrashing if you like to have a bit of fun. I know you're not looking for performance, but if you or anyone else still has a camry and want a bit of performance struts...look for tokico blues. HB3179 and HB3180 for right and left front struts respectively. Had them installed on my old camry and man that thing stayed planted around corners. Tokico no longer make shocks though so your only option is hunting on ebay or something.

If you have a spring compressor and a powerful cordless impact to remove the struts from the vehicle, you can save yourself a fair bit of money doing everything yourself. Just don't use the impact with the spring compressor. The job isn't terribly difficult, it just takes a lot of time, longest part would be compressing and decompressing the springs.

Ed,

Thanks for the reply with good information.

I have had the suspect strut out of the car and we fitted a new top mount. Removing and re-fitting the strut itself was a simple enough task.

Replacing the top mount did nothing to the noise, which is still occurring.

I replaced this top mount after two mechanics suggested that was the problem. It is now fairly clear that the strut itself needs replacing.

I will follow up on the KYB struts and probably order a pair of them for the front. Not sure yet, but that will likely fix it.

More later..........

Jim.

Ever since hitting a big hole in one of our bad bitumen roads, a occasional knocking noise emanates from underneath my car.

It sounds something like the exhaust hitting the body now and then. But it is not that; the exhaust mounting is all sound.

My mechanic put the vehicle up on his hoist and diagnosed faulty sway bar link pins. I failed to see what was wrong with them, but I did replace them anyway. This did not fix the problem.

He has subsequently advised to fit new sway bar bushes, so I bought some. I now have the car elevated on stands, but the bushes look perfectly sound to me. I am unable to make the bar deflect up or down by levering with a large screwdriver.

Accordingly, I am not swapping them out, at least not yet. I am beginning to wonder if it is the strut or struts. The damping action of them appears to be fine when I move the car up and down by pushing on a guard etc.

Is it possible for the suspension struts to make a loud clunking noise when deflected suddenly? This noise is most apparent when driving slowly over rough ground.

Ideas and suggestions will be most welcome.

Jim.

I have a 5 speed manual transmission in my 1993 Toyota Camry.

I would like to know where I find the model number of this transmission.

Can someone please direct me?

Jim.

29 minutes ago, Jim-0000 said:

It does appear from your reply that I should look elsewhere. I will see if my local dealer stock Gabriel or Monroe struts. More when I have done that.

My local spare parts shop stocks two brands: Sachs and KYB.

They ask me to find out if mine are rotating spring seats or fixed. Mine appear to be fixed, but I am not sure.

Jim.

Thanks for the prompt reply Hiro.

I am not looking for performance or lowering of my already low Camry. I live in a country area with bad road conditions. If anything, I would prefer to raise my car, not lower it.

It does appear from your reply that I should look elsewhere. I will see if my local dealer stock Gabriel or Monroe struts. More when I have done that.

Jim.

My 1993 Camry requires replacement suspension struts. It has done 200,000klms.

I am trying to find identification details before purchasing new ones online.

There are a set advertised here on ebay.com.au:   https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/275255982841?hash=item401688faf9%3Ag%3ADEMAAOSw-5dgERns&fits=Year%3A1993|Model%3ACamry|Make%3AToyota

On my vehicle, the front and rear are slight different.

Are the ones shown suitable for both front and rear?  Or do I have to look for two fronts and two rear separately?

Jim.

I have had damage to wiring in the engine bay which I have now controlled. Air cleaner element was partly eaten and High Tension plug leads damaged.

However, I have the smell of mouse urine coming through the air ventilation system in the cab of the car when first driving off.

I am having difficulty finding where the mice might be gaining entry and making nests etc.

Can someone direct me to a description of the air ducting to assist me with tracking down this problem please?

Jim.