So... I Got a Real Car, and I Really Have No Clue

[Busryder]

Hello all...

So after having driven Buses for the last 20 years, I now find myself in a modern vehicle... and I don't know anything about it at all.
I recently inherited my father-in-law's second car. He bought this car brand new in back in 98'.... it's a 1999 model year Toyota Camry LE.

It is very nice inside and out, and I am pleased. My FIL religiously kept up maintenance during the time he had it, oil changes, tune up's, timing belt changes, and whatnot's. The problem is that he did not keep a log of routine maintenance and he is no longer around to ask. So far, I've changed out the plugs and wires, oil and filter, and new tires... I have all of the owner's manuals but no repair manual.

Anyway, let me get to the point here....

I want to change out the 'consumable' suspension parts. I've done a little research on how to swap the f/r Struts/springs. but I can't seem to find the complete units. All of what I've found is components to rebuild the struts, not complete units. The Camry has 310,000mi on it and it needs all four strut towers, and I feel like I'm trying to read Japanese with this 'new to me' modern car.

So, I ask my fellow Sambanista's for some guidance here...

Can you guys point me to where I can find the right complete set-up for this car? I don't want the "top of the line" and most expensive shocks and struts, but I also don't want the cheapest Chinese crap either... I'm searching for complete towers, front and rear... and I'd like to find them online somewhere.


Thank you in advance for any advice or direction.

-Damian
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[bugger101]

you can find them online at

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php

they seem to range from $70-$180 each

and here is a diy guide i found
front
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/103-3rd-4th-gene...truts.html

rear

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/107-camry-solara-lounge/276024-diy-rear-strut-r-r.html\


YOU MUST GET A ALIGNMENT AFTER OR YOU COULD HAVE UNEVEN TIRE WEAR ON YOUR NEW TIRES
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75 west deluxe http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5270450#5270450

2010 ford focus

[Busryder]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

That's exactly what I needed man!


I ordered a whole new set of Monroe's.... and the shipping wasn't bad either (like just under $70 for everything, ships in 3 to 5 biz days).

I'll update this if I run into any weirdo 'Japanese' problems with this strange (to me anyway) job I have in my near future.

Thanks again bugger!
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[Major Woody]

RockAuto is excellent

[wbrown45]

justsuspension.com is hard to beat on KYB's for price. That brand is more than likely original equipment. Besides the ease of replacement, why do you need complete towers? I assume you mean the spring, and strut bearings in one unit, and not the sheet metal in the body, correct? You can rent the compressor tool at AutoZone, etc. for free.
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OK Thang

[bugger101]

[norcalmike]

[Bobnotch]

[Busryder]

Hey everybody... thanks for all the comments!

I was kind of surprised at how huge that site was, massive selection of parts, well organized, and even better... offered a wide range of manufacturers set in a price scale. I easily found what I was looking for too...

As for "why?"... well, it has 310,745mi. And you can feel it too. No new metal is requierd for this car, as per my research. I found several 'How2's' out there... some good ones on youtube!


And upon second thought, I probably should have waited to make my purchase until you guys had had a chance to respond. I kinda jumped the gun I spose. Too late now.

Any tip's? They ship in 3-5 business days...



Thank's again!
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[Busryder]

[doubledoor64]

Wash your hands before you pull the back seat

[Busryder]

^^^ That's a real good idea! ^^^

Will make sure that happens....
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[djkeev]

[bugger101]

[Busryder]

Hey guys!


I was able to get this done over the weekend, without incident.

The front's came in on Friday, and thr rear's came in while I was finishing up the front swap. FedEx!

I plan to get an alignment this evening, but.... I have one last question and I'll let this thread die:


Should I get both, front and rear end alignments?


And thanks Samba Crew... very helpful, you all are.
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[bugger101]

[andk5591]

Not related to parts, but something we preach here - get yourself a good service manual. Modern cars are a lot less forgiving than our VWs. I wont even touch our 2 07 model cars, but will do pretty much anything on our 94 Ranger because I have the manual.
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D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them...

[Major Woody]

If you live in or near a town of any significant size, get yourself a library card. When you have an upcoming repair, go online and have the service manual reserved for you. Bring it home, scan or copy the pages for the operation that you're doing (along with the pages that list capacities, service intervals, and other common tune-up operations, and staple them together and keep them on file.

You can also often pick up a used service manual on Amazon for super cheap. Shipping is also cheap==USPS Media Mail.

[Busryder]

So we had a 'sick kid' situation yesterday and I was unable to play with the Camry, other than to drive it around. I am VERY happy with the fruits of my labor/$$! It feels like a completely different car now, and I am almost shocked at the differences in braking and turning. Highway speed ride performance is very noticeable too.

Anyway... MW & andK, a service book is high up on my to-do list.

While do this job I did run into a few 'bumps', but no real incidents... I stripped the two securing bolts on the l/r strut bottom. I had a "beer-drinker/finger-pointer" friend that thought this was a real problem: I just cut them out with the ol' angle grinder. We went to P-N-Pull and I found replacements. While there, I noticed that some other Camry's had disc brakes on the rear, Mine has drums, and the hub housing looks to be exactly the same on both cars.

I want to upgrade my rear drum brakes to disc's now!

Does anyone have any mechanical experience with these cars? Are the components interchangeable? Can this be done without replacing the entire stub axle/bearing/strut cast iron housing thing? (it looks to be the same, just a different hub and backing plate with an added caliper)

^^Good Grief^^


Thanks you guys, for the tips... they really are helpful.


And, I am going to start the hunt for the best deal possible on the alignment now... but it really felt straight on the freeway, though it does sit about 1.5 higher now.

I'll ask for spec's of how far out it is, if that's even possible...
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[bugger101]