strut mounts
 

Hi, Has anyone heard of a 4 cyl Camry needing front strut mount replacement at 65,000 miles? I just (last weekend) bought a 99 Camry 4 cyl which supposedly has 65,000 miles. It drove great for the firstfew hundredmiles, then I heard strange noises coming from the front wheels. My mechanic tells me it's the strut mounts causing the problem, and that they'll need to be replaced. He also said these mounts don't normally need replacement until about 160,000 miles, and because they're gone he thinks the car has much higher mileage than 65,000, despite what the single-owner carfax report says. Do you think the strut mounts could go bad at 65,000, or did the used car dealer just sell me a car with much higher mileage than the odometer reading? I should also point out that the timing belt & water pump have been replaced. Thanks for your info and thoughts. Heather

RE: strut mounts
 

The camry Gen 4 model strut mounts are always a problem.

You need to replace them when they go or they will make noises.

I've just had mine replaced with a set from a lower mileage Camry, but it seems like the right side is going too [:@]

RE: strut mounts
 

they dont go out so early under normal driving conditions. if the original owner drove it on rough rodes or abused it the mounts may have cracked prematurely.
i have never had my mounts replaced but going over speed bumps i experience a mushy kind of noise that i dont consider a mount issue.

Did your mechanic say the shocks were still ok? Did he check to tighten the strut bolt?

RE: strut mounts
 

my mounts were bad at 75- but i didn't replace them until 95. thats when i redid the entire suspension.

RE: strut mounts
 

are there visible signs if thhe strut mounts are worn out?
most of it is metal right?

RE: strut mounts
 

its basically all metal and the only indication that i know would be a high pitched rattling made by the bearings.

RE: strut mounts
 

then just replacing the bearing is fine or you have to change to whole mounting?

RE: strut mounts
 

you actually have to replace the mounts.. the bearings can be reused.

RE: strut mounts
 

are gabriel strut mounts good? ill be replacing mine soon. and thinking of getting gabriel because oem cost a lot..

RE: strut mounts
 

I'm using KYBs, they're fairly priced on eBAY.