Camry suspension and CV problem

[iceburn]

Hello,

My camry 99' model V6 (MCV20R) suspensions are shot, pretty much it doesn't provide any shock absorbtion so i gotta get them replaced. I would like to do it myself, (I baught the Haynes repair manual), but not sure how difficult it would be, would you recommend me to try it or take it to a shop? Most of my experience is with the engine and brakes and still a novice.

Also, the CV joint and wheel bearings are dead, I hear clicking noises when i turn, and grind-pause-grind when I'm slowly moving. Should I attempt to replace/clean them myself?

Although i would prefer to do it myself, I'm rather terrified if something goes wrong whilst I'm on the road.

Cheers
David

[BeRad]

its not that hard id say they would have removable strut cartridges, (mc pherson struts)just a case of removing the strut, removing the spring and removing the cartridge, and putting it back together opposite to how you removed it.

youll have to remove the hub etc from the struts but its nothing to complicated just 2 bolts.

driveshafts are simple to remove also, the passenger one will need to be levered out of the gearbox, via the slit in the cv just lever a big screw driver in that and onto the box, i just use a breaker bar and lever it between the inside of the cv and box seems to come out easier. and the drivers side will have a mount that needs to be undone and it will just pull out of the box. to put them back in just bolt the drivers side one how you removed it, and youll have to push the passenger one back in youll have to use some force but dont flog it with a hammer or anything. not sure if the camrys have a sir clip that also can be removed from the drivers side to remove it from the mount, dont take that off its a pain in the arse to get back on so just undo the 2 bolts holding the mount on the block.

wheel bearings just remove the hub from the car youll have to remove the ball joints, tie rod ends in the front. go buy the wheel bearing kits from a shop and take the hubs and kit to a mechanic and get him to press out the old and in with the new, it will save you some money.

it mightnt be your wheel bearings that are shot if its just clicking etc thats a tell tale sign that the cv's need to be replaced. jack the car up and see if you can wobble the wheel if you can their probably on their way out.

if you have the haynes manual youll be fine, some things they go about some things the hard way but its still a good guide if you dont have much experience in pulling things apart.


youll need some spring compressors, a big shifter and a socket set, if you plan on removing the hubs and/or the driveshafts youll need a breaker bar to remove the driveshaft nut on the hub a rattle gun is easier though. to stop the shaft from moving while you undo the nut put a pole between 2 wheel studs and onto the ground to stop everything moving then just undo the nut.

youll be fine just do everything back up tight or to torque specs provided in the manual would be better.

remember to drain the gearboxs oil before you pull the shafts or youll have shit everywhere.

[iceburn]

Cool, thanks I'll give it a shot, gives me more confidence. Gotta start buying some more tools this week and source some parts.

Now I gotta find Tein coil overs or Koni coil overs to fit Anyone know of any? or anyone that sells them in NSW, Sydney area?

[BeRad]

dont think theyd make them for the camry off the shelf, but kits can be welded onto your struts, unless you can do it your self , welding etc i dont imagine it being cheap.

http://www.toymods.net/forums/showthread.php?t=11356

theres a little on the weld on stuff.

[iceburn]

Sorry, i dont want to sound dumb, but for the CV Joint, do i replace the 3 nobbly things? or the entire arm? Also where would one get a replacement, and boot covers?

Its not the sort of thing you get from repco?

Cheers

[horse]

just replace the cv boots that are broken. you can go to repco and tell them which car and they should have the correct boot in stcok. remember to pack that grease in too.

[iceburn]

BeRad - Thanks for the link, I'll have a look into it, hopefully its not too expensive (luckily i got some cash stored away for car repairs)

da_horse - hehe good tip, I'll keep that in mind.


I found some ss tein suspensions for the camry, but its American so not sure if they're the same http://www.upgrademotoring.com/suspe...sus_Toyota.htm

[Toysrme]

Personally, I would replace the entire axle half-shaft. Here in the USA, the cost differance between an outer CV joint and a complete axle is at most $25usd.

[iceburn]

Thanks for your help guys, after crawling under the car i found the two inner CV joints leaking, so they need to be replaced, but also saw that the head gasket at the back of the engine is leaking oil. (I was waiting for that since its got over 200,000 on the clock)

And the stearing boot cover is broke as well.

I guess i wont be driving it for a while

[urantia]

ice burn, here is my advice. you should have no problems replacingh the suspension yourself, followed by a wheel alignment afterwards. (make sure you torque all the bolts up properly)

The CV's can be changed while still installed in the car, CV's very rearly wear on the inner joints (closest to the Gearbox) it's usually always the outer joints yopu can get replacements on ebay for about $40 including new boot, grease, etc.
There is abit of a trick to getting the CV's off but it's real easy when you know how. If you want more info PM me.

As for taking the hub off to get new wheel bearings pressed in this part i'd recomend taking it to somewhere. Only becuase your likly to run into big pain in the ass issues separating some of the bolts from the hub especially the steering arm ball joints, these things can be extremly difficult to separate and you can garuantee the grease boot on them will rapture. The steering rack boots can be renewed while the hubs are out too.
Then again you might have the right tools for this and plenty of skills in which case go for it

Just read your post above, your inner CV's are leaking? well that's a bugger, but i imagine you wouldn't need to change renew the joints only the rubber boots for them.

The oill leaking from your head is most likely the cam cover seals. Could check all the cam cover nuts are tight.

[BigBadBenny]

Take it to a mechanic, if you've never done any of the jobs yourself then I would highly recommend to take it to a mechanic
Regards
Benny

[mrshin]

I'd suggest you replace the shocks yourself and see how you go, then have a go at the other stuff if you find the struts easy.

[Toysrme]

Its most likely the rear valve cover. Not the head gasket. Are you very sure? Feel down the back of the valve cover gasket & see if it's not somewhat oily.
I doubt the multi-layer steel gasket is leaking oil. I'd be the first OEM Toyota one I've ever seen, or heard of doing it. (Without being severly overheating & warping a head.)

[iceburn]

Thank you all for the response,

Sorry about my confusion, i think its the cam cover that is leaking.

Currently stuck on the driveshaft nut, its one tough nut to crack

As for the CV's I'm going to get the entire arm repalced (Saves me some trouble)

[urantia]

Yeah those big nuts can be a pain! (lol, anyway...) especially if they've never been off before! sounds like you will need someone to stomp on the brakes while you get a long pipe onto a breaker bar, you may even need a third person to make sure the socket stays on the nut so it doesn't round off the corners.