Dear experts,
I have a 97 Camry XLE with 125K miles on it.
I’m told that I should now change the front and
rear Macpherson struts.
Is it time to change them? Or, how can I tell
if the struts need changing?
What differences should I feel in the handling
after replacing them? If any?
Do struts wear out like brakes and tires, or
do they just work, or not, like an electrical part?
How much do they affect your wheel alignment?
Thanks a lot
condor_…@yahoo.com wrote:
> I’m told that I should now change the front and
> rear Macpherson struts.
Who says? A Toyota dealer, or some local Goodyear, etc. tire store?
I’ve owned a bunch of Toyota products and put more than 150K miles on
some of them. Never, ever have I found it necessary to replace a strut.
Comment by admin — December 31, 2009 @ 5:00 pm
Sears, where I got my tires. He says that he changed the struts
in his wife’s Camry and it made a big difference. That’s why I’m
asking for other’s experience, and second opinions.
And, the question, how can you tell if they need changing?
Some people say, "I never change my oil. But I’ve never had a
problem."
Duh.
Comment by admin — December 31, 2009 @ 5:00 pm
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
condor_…@yahoo.com wrote:
> Dear experts,
> I have a 97 Camry XLE with 125K miles on it.
> I’m told that I should now change the front and
> rear Macpherson struts.
> Is it time to change them? Or, how can I tell
> if the struts need changing?
> What differences should I feel in the handling
> after replacing them? If any?
> Do struts wear out like brakes and tires, or
> do they just work, or not, like an electrical part?
> How much do they affect your wheel alignment?
> Thanks a lot
No you don’t have to if they are still good
Comment by admin — December 31, 2009 @ 5:00 pm
On some cars like mine "1986 corolla gts" the strut is part of the spindle
also "its one piece for the front" SOO there is wear and tear on them
however the shock is an insert inside the strut on my car SO you can
replace the life of the suspension but not the life spindle . Your 97 camry
I think is a strut assembly meaning that the strut and shock are the same in
the front as far as the rear I think its a shock. Personaly I like stiffend
suspension not a soggy one that gives alot "I race my cars" I prefer tein
suspension. They make great aftermarket setups for my car’s that I own.
http://www.tein.com/. mcphearson struts are good struts however there are
better out there I think TRD might even have something for the camry.
–
Enorym
http://atomicinternet.homeip.net/xtra/myrone/
Eno…@gmail.com
<condor_…@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1108837006.908608.214680@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com…
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
> Dear experts,
> I have a 97 Camry XLE with 125K miles on it.
> I’m told that I should now change the front and
> rear Macpherson struts.
> Is it time to change them? Or, how can I tell
> if the struts need changing?
> What differences should I feel in the handling
> after replacing them? If any?
> Do struts wear out like brakes and tires, or
> do they just work, or not, like an electrical part?
> How much do they affect your wheel alignment?
> Thanks a lot
Comment by admin — December 31, 2009 @ 5:00 pm
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
condor_…@yahoo.com wrote:
> Dear experts,
> I have a 97 Camry XLE with 125K miles on it.
> I’m told that I should now change the front and
> rear Macpherson struts.
> Is it time to change them? Or, how can I tell
> if the struts need changing?
> What differences should I feel in the handling
> after replacing them? If any?
> Do struts wear out like brakes and tires, or
> do they just work, or not, like an electrical part?
> How much do they affect your wheel alignment?
> Thanks a lot
Depends on how you drive and what the road surface is like.
Struts have parts that move. Moving parts wear out.
The more they move, the faster the parts wear out.
You can find internal diagrams of them on the web.
Most struts have lost some dampening by 65k miles and
are worn out by 75k miles. Worn struts are bad. Replace them.
Comment by admin — December 31, 2009 @ 5:00 pm
I agree with Paul’s advice. While it is not absolutely necessary to replace
your struts unless they are leaking, it is still a good idea. You likely
will not notice any difference in handling but I believe you will experience
less tire wear on the front tires. If you are going to keep this car for
several more years I think you should replace the struts. Any tire shop or
auto repair shop can do this work so it is worth shopping around. Oftentimes
there are ads in the paper for strut replacement. Good luck.
jor
"Travis Jordan" <no….@no.net> wrote in message
news:VpLRd.2477658$B07.387800@news.easynews.com…
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
> condor_…@yahoo.com wrote:
>> I’m told that I should now change the front and
>> rear Macpherson struts.
> Who says? A Toyota dealer, or some local Goodyear, etc. tire store?
> I’ve owned a bunch of Toyota products and put more than 150K miles on
> some of them. Never, ever have I found it necessary to replace a strut.
Comment by admin — December 31, 2009 @ 5:00 pm
I replaced the struts on a domestic vehicle It had 50k miles noticed a big
difference in ride.Plan on replaceing mine in my Honda at around 60K.
Tom
"« Paul »" <"=?iso-8859-1?Q?=A0stayp?="@notsuoh.rr.moc> wrote in message
news:42178A31.A634C31B@notsuoh.rr.moc…
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
> condor_…@yahoo.com wrote:
>> Dear experts,
>> I have a 97 Camry XLE with 125K miles on it.
>> I’m told that I should now change the front and
>> rear Macpherson struts.
>> Is it time to change them? Or, how can I tell
>> if the struts need changing?
>> What differences should I feel in the handling
>> after replacing them? If any?
>> Do struts wear out like brakes and tires, or
>> do they just work, or not, like an electrical part?
>> How much do they affect your wheel alignment?
>> Thanks a lot
> Depends on how you drive and what the road surface is like.
> Struts have parts that move. Moving parts wear out.
> The more they move, the faster the parts wear out.
> You can find internal diagrams of them on the web.
> Most struts have lost some dampening by 65k miles and
> are worn out by 75k miles. Worn struts are bad. Replace them.
Comment by admin — December 31, 2009 @ 5:00 pm
<condor_…@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1108837006.908608.214680@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com…
> Dear experts,
> I have a 97 Camry XLE with 125K miles on it.
> I’m told that I should now change the front and
> rear Macpherson struts.
> Is it time to change them? Or, how can I tell
> if the struts need changing?
> What differences should I feel in the handling
> after replacing them? If any?
> Do struts wear out like brakes and tires, or
> do they just work, or not, like an electrical part?
If the struts have substantial wear either in the shock-absorbing part or in
the ram-bush your car will start to get unstable. Often the strut shock can
be deteriorated but not be obvious to the driver. There is a test rig which
involves a chart graph which records how many rebounds or ocillations the
strut shock allows. This a test for damping. In severe cases the road wheel
will have ‘cupping or scalloping" wear points on the tire concerned.
IME there has to be a fair amount of front and back shock wear before any
instability becomes apparent. This occurs at hiway speeds over shallow
undulations and causes the car to rock front to back.
> How much do they affect your wheel alignment?
Unless the shockram-bush is badly worn there will be little effect on
alignment.
Jason
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
> Thanks a lot
Comment by admin — December 31, 2009 @ 5:00 pm
On Sat, 19 Feb 2005 18:40:13 +0000, Myrone Bagalay wrote:
> On some cars like mine "1986 corolla gts" the strut is part of the spindle
> also "its one piece for the front" SOO there is wear and tear on them
> however the shock is an insert inside the strut on my car SO you can
> replace the life of the suspension but not the life spindle . Your 97 camry
> I think is a strut assembly meaning that the strut and shock are the same in
> the front as far as the rear I think its a shock. Personaly I like stiffend
> suspension not a soggy one that gives alot "I race my cars" I prefer tein
> suspension. They make great aftermarket setups for my car’s that I own.
> http://www.tein.com/. mcphearson struts are good struts however there are
> better out there I think TRD might even have something for the camry.
I use KYB’s in my ’85 "86". Nice and stiff and lifetime to boot!
Comment by admin — December 31, 2009 @ 5:00 pm
<condor_…@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1108837006.908608.214680@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com…
> Dear experts,
> I have a 97 Camry XLE with 125K miles on it.
> I’m told that I should now change the front and
> rear Macpherson struts.
Are they leaking?
> Is it time to change them? Or, how can I tell
> if the struts need changing?
Are they faulty >> do this — use your knee or knees, push the front or rear
bumper down abruptly!!! The chassis as it returns to resting position – Bounces
one time!!! Chassis bounces more than once– r/r struts!
> What differences should I feel in the handling
> after replacing them? If any?
If they’re faulty — you feel a tremendous difference!!!
> Do struts wear out like brakes and tires, or
> do they just work, or not, like an electrical part?
They are wear items, so yes they wear out.
> How much do they affect your wheel alignment?
?? Don’t know (tech explained this as work?) what you mean — r/r struts and do
a >wheel alignment< as a requirement!!!!
—
BBA
°?°
When Privacy Matters — http://www.epic.org
Comment by admin — December 31, 2009 @ 5:00 pm
condor_…@yahoo.com wrote:
> Sears, where I got my tires. He says that he changed the struts
> in his wife’s Camry and it made a big difference. That’s why I’m
> asking for other’s experience, and second opinions.
If they aren’t leaking and the car isn’t bouncing when you go over
bumps, don’t worry about them.
If you want a second opinion, try a local reputable Toyota dealer.
Unlike Sears, they haven’t been accused of selling hundreds of millions
of dollars in unnecessary auto repairs.
Comment by admin — December 31, 2009 @ 5:00 pm
Struts wear slowly so you don’t notice them becoming less efective. They
don’t have to leak to be bad. If one does leak replace both on that axels.
Does nose dive when breaking – Does your suspension bottom out when just
lightly loaded. Unless all you driving is on interstate, 60-75k is a good
time to replace them. If you wait longer ,the less effective strut will
cause the spring to become "worn". You will notice a big improvement when
you replace them – it also greatly affects safety – both braking and
handling.
<condor_…@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1108837006.908608.214680@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com…
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
> Dear experts,
> I have a 97 Camry XLE with 125K miles on it.
> I’m told that I should now change the front and
> rear Macpherson struts.
> Is it time to change them? Or, how can I tell
> if the struts need changing?
> What differences should I feel in the handling
> after replacing them? If any?
> Do struts wear out like brakes and tires, or
> do they just work, or not, like an electrical part?
> How much do they affect your wheel alignment?
> Thanks a lot
Comment by admin — December 31, 2009 @ 5:00 pm
Uneven choppy tire wear?
Oil leaking from the shock/strut?
Loss of stability over a bump?
At 125,000 miles they have cycled up and down millions of times, a
shock absorber (strut) takes the impact off of important items like
ball joints, frame mounts, things that matter.
Depending on where the car was driven during it’s lifetime plays a
large part on comparing mileage wearout to equate worn shocks.
A constant smooth road surface, I would imagine shocks would go double
the distance than constantly being made to perform over rough uneven
bumpy surfaces.
I know I personally have felt the difference before and after many
times as I have owned my own Auto Service for over 29 years now and we
never have sold something someone didn’t need but a new set of shocks
make the rest of the car live longer, ride smoother, less tire wear,
and better handling.
All a matter of personal choice ….unless of course they are leaking
or are so soft that the car bounces more than twice when someone (large
person) moves the front bumper up and down hard then lets go….and
counts. 1 2 3 4 …
Comment by admin — December 31, 2009 @ 5:00 pm
On Sat, 19 Feb 2005 18:47:01 GMT, "« Paul »" <"
stayp"@notsuoh.rr.moc> wrote:
>> Do struts wear out like brakes and tires, or
>> do they just work, or not, like an electrical part?
>> How much do they affect your wheel alignment?
>> Thanks a lot
>Depends on how you drive and what the road surface is like.
>Struts have parts that move. Moving parts wear out.
>The more they move, the faster the parts wear out.
Right. Many people don’t replace their struts when they should, since
the degradation in performance is so gradual. This is one of the
reasons that old cars drive like old cars.
Comment by admin — December 31, 2009 @ 5:00 pm
I have the same year and milage. Replace all four and get a 4 wheel
allignment. Car rides like new. Big difference.
On Sat, 19 Feb 2005 12:31:43 -0800, "Billy Bad Assr©"
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
<billybadausSOCKS@comcastSOC|KS.net> wrote:
><condor_…@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>news:1108837006.908608.214680@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com…
>> Dear experts,
>> I have a 97 Camry XLE with 125K miles on it.
>> I’m told that I should now change the front and
>> rear Macpherson struts.
>Are they leaking?
>> Is it time to change them? Or, how can I tell
>> if the struts need changing?
>Are they faulty >> do this — use your knee or knees, push the front or rear
>bumper down abruptly!!! The chassis as it returns to resting position – Bounces
>one time!!! Chassis bounces more than once– r/r struts!
>> What differences should I feel in the handling
>> after replacing them? If any?
>If they’re faulty — you feel a tremendous difference!!!
>> Do struts wear out like brakes and tires, or
>> do they just work, or not, like an electrical part?
>They are wear items, so yes they wear out.
>> How much do they affect your wheel alignment?
>?? Don’t know (tech explained this as work?) what you mean — r/r struts and do
>a >wheel alignment< as a requirement!!!!
Comment by admin — December 31, 2009 @ 5:00 pm
> Is it time to change them? Or, how can I tell
> if the struts need changing?
Eight years and 129k is getting up there for struts, though I
personally replace them on a functional rather than a schedule basis.
The do-it-yourselfer can replace them (observe safety precautions for
the spring/strut compressor as well as those generic to lifting a car
and working underneath it). However, I’ve done enough struts to file
this job under "dirty laborious chores that somebody who’s set up for
it, and who does more in a month than I would in ten years, will take
on for a modest amount of money." It’s quite a bit harder than
changing conventional shocks, which used to be one of the classic
beginner exercises for the budding shade-tree mechanic.
> What differences should I feel in the handling
> after replacing them? If any?
> Do struts wear out like brakes and tires, or
> do they just work, or not, like an electrical part?
They wear out gradually but can also suddenly lose it. Have you ever
seen (and dropped back from or very quickly passed) a car with one
wheel juddering up and down like a jackhammer? That’s a car that has
blown a shock or strut (whichever it has) and no longer has a damping
function to control that tire. Think of a shock as a time-release
anti-spring. A strut has more functions than a shock but damping is
usually the one that goes.
A symptom of gradual loss of damping function is best felt on
long-period undulating pavement. If you feel like a little kid in one
of those inflatable bouncy houses at a place and speed that your car
once would’ve taken in stride, that means your shocks or struts are
putting in their retirement papers. A lot more than the usual swaying
and jouncing through a series of lateral transitions is another.
A "cupped" wear pattern on the tires is another symptom, but by the
time you see *that*, things are pretty far gone.
> How much do they affect your wheel alignment?
Get an alignment afterwards. The strut directly affects some
parameters. In theory, I guess that if Scotty beamed the old one out
and the new one in without disturbing its surroundings, you could do
the job without affecting alignment, but in the real world it isn’t
quite that simple (besides which other things that affect alignment
might’ve gotten a bit out of place over the years).
If it’s been a while since your last wheel balancing and rotation,
might as well get that done too.
For more information, see
http://www.carcarecouncil.org/Steering_Suspension/struts.shtml
http://autorepair.about.com/cs/generalinfo/a/aa012201a_3.htm
Cheers,
–Joe
Comment by admin — December 31, 2009 @ 5:00 pm
In article <1108837006.908608.214…@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com>,
condor_…@yahoo.com says…
>Dear experts,
>I have a 97 Camry XLE with 125K miles on it.
>I’m told that I should now change the front and
>rear Macpherson struts.
>Is it time to change them? Or, how can I tell
>if the struts need changing?
You can do a visual inspection to see if any of the struts are leaking.
>What differences should I feel in the handling
>after replacing them? If any?
You should end up with a smoother more controlled ride.
>Do struts wear out like brakes and tires, or
>do they just work, or not, like an electrical part?
They slowly wear out. Sometimes they do completely fail if
you blow a seal. The wear is gradual so chances are you may not
notice the difference until you put new ones in.
>How much do they affect your wheel alignment?
Not sure what you mean. When you change them, you should get the cars
alignment checked.
—————
Alex
Comment by admin — December 31, 2009 @ 5:00 pm
Jason James <velli…@bigpond.com> wrote in article
<37pjquF5ilkq…@individual.net>…
> If the struts have substantial wear either in the shock-absorbing part or
in
> the ram-bush your car will start to get unstable. Often the strut shock
can
> be deteriorated but not be obvious to the driver. There is a test rig
which
> involves a chart graph which records how many rebounds or ocillations the
> strut shock allows. This a test for damping. >
The "test rig" that Jason refers to is known as a shock absorber
dynamometer…..and I own one.
Basically, it gives you a graph of the pressures produced as compared to
the shaft velocities at which they are produced when the shock is moved at
different speeds – ranging from a shaft velocity of one-inch-per-second to
20 i.p.s.
Basically, a shock that creates 200 pounds of resistance pressure while
moving at a shaft velocity of five i.p.s will better control a car than a
shock that only produces 100 pounds of resistance pressure at the same
shaft velocity.
We use these graphs a bit differently in racing applications to "fine-tune"
the suspension with shocks, but the above information is pretty much all
you need to know for standard passenger automobiles….more shock pressure
at a given shaft velocity controls better than less pressure at the same
velocity.
When internal valves and springs weaken and wear out (imagine how many
cycles a shock valve control spring experiences in 50,000 miles of
compressing to open and close the valving each time the shaft moves in or
out) , they allow fluid to pass more easily at lower pressures – usually
with no external leakage to suggest that any sort of problem exists.
The so-called "bounce test" only tells you if a shock will control a car
while negotiating "Mickey D" parking lot speed bumps at less than five mph
with a carload of rug rats and Happy Meals.
"Hand-testing" a shock off the car moves the shaft at a velocity of
approximately one-half i.p.s.
A shock can "feel" good at slow "bounce-test" or "hand-test" speeds of one
i.p.s. or less because it is only passing fluid through its designed,
low-speed, bleed orifices and/or bypassing the seals, but be a complete
failure at higher shaft velocities once it gets up onto the
valving….sometimes, actually providing less resistance at five i.p.s.
then at "bounce-test" velocities once the valves open up.
On a smooth road, the shocks will likely be working in the 2-6 i.p.s. shaft
velocity range….which simply cannot be duplicated by bouncing on the
bumper of the car.
Best test for a shock (short of dyno-testing) is to drive it fairly
aggressively – but carefully – over rough road. If the car remains under
control, then the shocks are, likely, okay.
If one end or the other tends to "wash out", then new shocks (or struts)
are indicated.
> > How much do they affect your wheel alignment?
>In severe cases the road wheel
> will have ‘cupping or scalloping" wear points on the tire concerned.
A shock that doesn’t help control the unsprung weight (basically,
everything that moves up and down with the wheel) will allow more than
anticipated suspension movement at the extremes, which allows excessive
camber/caster, gain/loss and bump steer….in addition to allowing the
wheels to bounce and create the cupping pattern.
It CAN contribute to tire wear.
–
Bob Paulin – R.A.C.E. <><
Race Car Chassis Analysis & Setup Services
Chassis Blueprinting Services (as in engine blueprinting)
Comment by admin — December 31, 2009 @ 5:00 pm
At that age and mileage you definately need new struts. Just did them
on my car and it had less mileage and all 4 were shot.
Comment by admin — December 31, 2009 @ 5:00 pm