Hello,
First time poster this these forums. I have a 2005 Camry XLE. Last year our car developed this horrible clunking sound from the front when going over bumps at lower speeds. The rear didn't have any issues at the time. I took it to a shop and they told me we needed all new struts and also front sway bar links (or bushings, I can't remember exactly what they said)......so we gave the green light to have the work done. It was very pricey....I think we paid about $1200 for everything. Well, the front end clunking did go away.....shortly after, the rear starting developing the same type of clunking noise the front had. It's like a floppy, clunking sound when the rear tires go over bumps....much more noticeable at lower speeds, I'd say under 45 mph. It is definitely worse the slower the car is going....I notice it more at 25 mph than even at 40-45. You never really hear an issue at highway speeds.

I took my car into a different shop this time, because I haven't been pleased with my encounters with the garage I had been taking the car to. At first the new garage told me they couldn't hear anything wrong. I was adamant that they go test drive it again, and when we came to pick up the car the head of the shop told me that the issue was bad strut mounts. I told him I had just had the struts all replaced the year before, and he acknowledged that he could tell the struts were new, but that the other shop did not change the mounts. He stated, "I always put new mounts on when I change struts, but not every garage does that." He quoted me $1500 to fix the issue! $1500!!!!!! What the hell??? Do all the struts have to be replaced again or something for this kind of fix, for just the mounts? I didn't inquire about it at the time cause I was just pissed off and wanted to get the hell out of there. I did ask however about the sway bar bushings. Through my own internet research it seems a common problem with these cars is the sway bar bushings....and I see the rubber bushings are dirt cheap and I could possibly do the work myself. I asked the guy about these bushings and he said they were fine......but I don't really know who to trust down here, as I'm new to the area.
He told me, and I quote, "If I were you, I'd just throw about 100 pounds of weight in the back."
But he did tell me the issue would keep getting worse over time.

I bought this car because I loved how quiet the ride was.....now the ride is just aggravating when I have to deal with this annoying clunking. Was this mechanic on point with the issue and the price for the work? Or were they trying to screw me? Thanks

 

That price of $1200
makes me think only half the job was done at the first place you went to

did they indicate to you that more work was required ?
how long after that work did you notice it clunking again ?

find another mechanic this is so wrong
I quote, "If I were you, I'd just throw about 100 pounds of weight in the back."

every member here has had bad mechanical workshop experiences

to make the car safe ...you need to fix whats worn or broken without delay

ask the forum members about the jobs you think you can DIY


all you can do is chalk it up to experience