Improving handling on 2003 Camry -- struts recommendation

Just replaced the struts with KYBs on my aging 98 Corolla and it handles great, though the ride has stiffened up a lot. The lack of body lean and excellent cornering control is amazing.

Now I am looking to perhaps install aftermarket struts in my 2003 Camry LE to reduce body lean and swaying. Very soft, Buick like handling that is fine over bumpy roads, but "floaty" on normal roads. I would like stiffer struts than OEM for better handling, but maintain ride composure over bumpy roads. Any recommendations? Perhaps installing SE struts in my LE ?(the Toyota dealer does show different part numbers) Monore Sensatracs? KYB GR2s?

Reply to
Ron
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instead of focusing on the struts - why don't you focus on the stabilizer bars aka sway bars - they limit body roll in corners with minimal effect on straight ahead ride quality. If both wheels move up or down, no effect, it does stiffen the straight ahead ride when one wheel moves though, but less than stiffer struts which make every bump feel harsher. Perhaps start with stiffer bushings in the stock sway bars, (cheap, simple and easy to change) then go to larger diameter bars front and rear if needed. Search the Internet for additional information on sway bars - there are sites geared for racers that get into the detais of suspension tuning - for example how to correlate front and rear sizes for best handling, and which to change first. Some found stiffening the rear bar first made the greatest improvement but you will need to preserve a balance. That's why I suggested firmer bushings in the stock bars first. I think that's what Toyota does to differentiate the SE model from the LE. You might check the Toyota parts counter to see if you could just retrofit SE suspension components to your LE. SE being "sport edition" and LE being "luxury edition."

Reply to
Daniel

Excellent advice. You dont have to sacrifice ride quality to stop a car body-rolling. You simply add a stiffer roll-bar (sway-bar).

If you wnat to limit "pitching" and wallowing,..then the springs and shocks will need attention (they have to be matched other wise stiffer shocks with a much weaker spring, will overload the shock and give a horrible ride)

.

Jason

Reply to
Jason James

That was going to be my recommendation. It's already got the KYBs. Only springs and sway bars remain.

Reply to
Hachiroku

Reply to
ma_twain

The SE model also has a strut bar --- a bar that connect the struts on either side to reduce body flex.

Reply to
Wolfgang

Sounds like a good plan. I crawled under the car and studied the stabilizer bar. The rear bushings look easy enough, but the front looks tough. The bolts for the front stabilizer bracket are on the hidden upper side and held on with square nuts underneath. The bushing seems to be held in place along the bar by a crimped metal clamp. Clearance is tight. How do you replace these easily?

Reply to
Ron

Ummm, KYBs (Keep Your Bilsteins) are used as OEMs these days. The bargain basement OEM struts should be changed around 50K miles before too much of the damping goes away and leave you with a boat to handle as you have found out.

But the GR-2s are cheap struts without modern valving and priced accordingly. If you want to stick with KYB, get the Gas Adjust if it's available for your model. But they have only 3-stage valving, not very advanced by today's standards.

Bilstein HD or Sport are excellent choices if you are for handling. But these are fairly stiff but you can crank it over like you are on rails. I like their softer Grand Touring class.

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Monroes Reflex is now becoming available. These will replace the Sensatrac line which has older position-sensitive damping. Monroes are softer struts than Bilsteins but are good choices if you like a softer ride. Get their Quick-Strut for faster replacement.

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Gabriel Ultra is similar to the Reflex with inertia sensitive damping, It's got 9 stages of variable valving and they deal with road conditions better than the Reflex or KYB. With your preference, do check these out at

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Just about all aftermarket struts come with lifetime warranties today. If you are lowering, use only those approved or they'll wear out in no time.

Reply to
johngdole

Thanks for an excellent reply!

I think I will stay away from the KYBs. The GR-2s on my Corolla are stiff and a bit bouncy. I have read very little good things about Gabriel struts/shocks, but the Ultra looks very promising. Some folks are saying that the Bilstein Grand Touring shocks are also somewhat stiff. Overall I am looking to maintain much of the Camry's feel on bumps and smooth ride, but better handling and body control.

Reply to
Ron

Yes, even the Bilsteins' softest GTs are somewhat stiff compared to what many consumers like. But they sure offer the state of the art in terms of suspension engineering. These guys know how to build struts.

I personally don't care much for KYBs (Keep Your Bilsteins). The bargain basement KYBs are bouncy because they don't have much of a piston valve to let oil through compared to the other smart valving inertia sensing struts taking the main stream today.

Monroe Reflex, was introducted in 1999. The Gabriel Ultras, introduced in 2003 won the Popular Mechanics's 2003 Editor's Choice Awards. True, like the Reflex, the Gabriel Ultra is not the class of Gabriels that we used to know (or don't want to know). I've read both good and bad reviews for both companies, depending on preference I guess. But the smart valving technology sure is in the right direction.

Reply to
johngdole

Unfortunately for the late model Camry, the only aftermarket strut choices are the KYB GR2s and Monroe Sensatracs. Cannot find any supplier who carries Bilsteins or Gabriel Ultras for this car. Are you aware of any sources?

Reply to
Ron

You're right. The Gabriel Ultras only goes up to 2001, which is the previous generation. Bilsteins only goes up to 1996. That's what their online catalogs showed.

The Monroe Reflex is only now becoming available for the previous generation of Camrys. But may take a while to become available for the current generation of 2002+. The Sensatracs are on their way out, replaced by Reflex with the new impact sensor as Monroe phases out the older struts.

napaonline.com, shockwarehouse.com and rockauto.com only have the Sensatracs for now. Tirerack.com and rockauto.com didn't even carry the KYBs or 2003 which they usually do for earlier years, only partsamerica.com carries for your 03. I can order Bilsteins at local Autozones but not for the 03.

Do check for the periodic free shipping or the buy-3-get-1-free deals. Might want to check with Monroe/Gabriel directly to see if they plan on releasing Reflex/Ultras for the 03 any time soon.

Reply to
johngdole

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