Correction - the bearing should be the opposite way.

Which way is the opposite way?

There is one face of the seal that has an red colored inner seal as seen on the picture and that faces down. The other side has an outer rubber seal facing up. Correct?

The seal in the strut mount should be flipped showing the red seal

My take is the red seal should face inward. As in when the strut is installed be closest to the strut nut that holds the mount together.

The bearing can only work one way. If upside down the edge of the outer race will ride on the or mount. The loading needs to be on the faces of the bearing not edge.

OK, Thanks

The suspension repair went well. Will be getting new tires and alignment soon.

Some comments are here. 1995 Toyota Camry V6 build 6/95

1. Never compressed a new spring before since the original broke. Very difficult to compress it straight down. I was 180 out of sync but required using different wrungs to make it work. Spring must be straight to seat properly. The compressing tools I rented at oreillys are great. No issues.

2. Had to drill two holes to allow lower spring pad o seat properly. The original one was still in good shape and had two rubber nipples that fit in strut holes but new strut did not have them.

2. A hammer drill though not recommended for compressing strut works well otherwise your arm will hurt using socket a wrench.

3. Take apart first, inspect,then buy to ensure you have all the parts you need.

4. The strut mates all in one are easy but more expensive.


Oh after I installed everything the springs and strutsere so bad the front end went up " three inches" at least. The back did the same last year when I did it but springs were fine.

Great write up!

Thanks for posting!