93 Camry Struts and Strut Mounts

My second question of the day. My 93 Camry has the original struts on them. I am getting a noisy repeated clunk from the front which I believe is the struts or strut mounts. I plan on doing the work myself and I do have a coil spring compressor.

I don't want to spend $1,200 for four new struts and mounts from the dealer. So I am going to buy aftermarket. I am leaning toward Bilstein struts (which I have read on the group are good) and not sure which brand of strut mounts to purchase (maybe Monroes)?. Should I be replacing the strut mounts? I have read posts from the group where many have said they were a Toyota problem.

What aftermarket struts and mounts are the best to get?

Thanks again, Les

Reply to
les
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Bilsteins are very good struts. For $119 at AutoZone, I'd go for them. If you are hearing clunking noises, you should replace the mounts and bearings. It makes no sense to do all the work and leave old rubber parts (boots and bumpers as well) and bearings in there.

Some Bilstein models can be too stiff for the average driver. Their stiffest is Sports, then the HD, and followed by Touring.

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I have good experience with Gabriel Ultras for the average driver. These have 9-stage automatically adjusting valve system that gives you comfortable ride at low speeds and good control on the highways. These have a wider comfort zone than stock. With the occasional Autozone buy-3-get-1-free and a lifetime warranty they are good value at half the Bilstein price.

Check out the G-force story at Gabriel:

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Monroe has the QuickStrut assembly for the 93. This includes new spring, rubber seats, bearing, dust boot, strut bumper, and strut mount. Each of the assembly is about $220. There are cheaper online sources with occasional free shipping. But I am not a fan for the Sensatrac they put in there now (their Reflex is better and will be phased in).

The Monroe front mounts are 902926/902927 for $31.79 each at

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Check to make sure bearing is included (usually is). I'd swap out Toyota mounts for Monroe ones.

Monroe Quick Strut:

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I personally don't care for anything from KYB, "Keep Your Bilsteins". Their GR2 is primitive without any multi-stage automatically adjusting system typical of modern struts. So keep your Bilsteins.

les wrote:

Reply to
johngdole

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