Strut Time
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Driver
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 83
Likes: 7
From: TX
Strut Time
My 2003 has around 124,000 miles on it and it seems ready for new dampers and maybe springs. I have been considering strut assemblies, but can't find any. I know that KYB or Moog makes one for a 2003 Camry. Are these compatible with the ES? Is the spring rate on the camry different? I don't mind going to a firmer ride, so if it will fit it doesn't bother me a bit?
I know one thing, I will never put Monroe, Gabriel or the cheapy brands from China on my vehicle, unless I"m ready to sell it. I have heard too many bad things. Of course I could be wrong.
Does anyone also offer a thicker sway bar for these cars? Is it better to have a thicker bar on the front or rear?
I know one thing, I will never put Monroe, Gabriel or the cheapy brands from China on my vehicle, unless I"m ready to sell it. I have heard too many bad things. Of course I could be wrong.
Does anyone also offer a thicker sway bar for these cars? Is it better to have a thicker bar on the front or rear?
Pole Position
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 368
Likes: 39
From: CA
I've had good luck with Moogs on my gen3/4 Camrys and 3ES's. Seems like they're available for your car: http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/l...assembly,15174
One thing, really none of the aftermarket offerings will have strut mounts (hats) that are up to par. Thwy'll all start rattling, or clicking. With a Moog vs a low-end Monroe or a low-end Gabriel (or Chinese struts like FCS, Unity, Leacree, etc.), that might happen later but it will still happen. Case in point, I put Moogs on all four corners of my uncle's '95 Camry, and they're rattling 20k later over bumps. Ride is still very good, but not the top hat (in fact, the ride is more compliant than OEM, which makes the car float very nicely. Good touring-mobile now).
That being said, one of the few things I don't want to do on my cars is assemble struts - too many horror stories (a friend's teacher only has one ********). If you want to, the best thing to do seems to be to use a higher-quality aftermarket strut and spring (Toyota Nation people like the Moog springs, and various brands of strut including Moog, Monroe, and Gabriel), and reuse the OEM strut mount and rubber, or buy new ones from a Toyota/Lexus vendor.
One thing, really none of the aftermarket offerings will have strut mounts (hats) that are up to par. Thwy'll all start rattling, or clicking. With a Moog vs a low-end Monroe or a low-end Gabriel (or Chinese struts like FCS, Unity, Leacree, etc.), that might happen later but it will still happen. Case in point, I put Moogs on all four corners of my uncle's '95 Camry, and they're rattling 20k later over bumps. Ride is still very good, but not the top hat (in fact, the ride is more compliant than OEM, which makes the car float very nicely. Good touring-mobile now).
That being said, one of the few things I don't want to do on my cars is assemble struts - too many horror stories (a friend's teacher only has one ********). If you want to, the best thing to do seems to be to use a higher-quality aftermarket strut and spring (Toyota Nation people like the Moog springs, and various brands of strut including Moog, Monroe, and Gabriel), and reuse the OEM strut mount and rubber, or buy new ones from a Toyota/Lexus vendor.
Pit Crew
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 196
Likes: 53
From: Missouri
EX300TX Here's a pretty helpful thread for you. I redid my struts a while back following a lot of input from ORO. The only thing I would do differently is to reuse the rear springs. The new Moog springs are a lot stiffer than the originals. Yes, you have to mess with compressing the springs but I bet you can get a local mechanic to do that for a reasonable price. Good luck and keep us posted.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-...-confused.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-...-confused.html
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