How to Replace the Struts in a Toyota Camry

A Toyota Camry has MacPherson struts in its suspension--these consist of a heavy-duty automotive coil spring with a shock absorber running through the middle of the spring. The entire assembly is held in place by a bolt on the top of it, and the spring is under enormous tension. Releasing the bolt without properly compressing the spring first may result in serious injury or death, so don't confuse replacing the struts in a car with replacing the shock absorber in the spring--they're different processes entirely.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Jack
• Jack stands
• Wrench or ratchet and socket set

1. • 1

     Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable on your Toyota Camry. Fold the rear seat cushion forward so that you can access the strut towers. Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel or wheels in the same corner of the car as the struts you intend to replace.

   • 2

     Support the rear axle beam with jack stands. Remove the wheel or wheels next to the struts you intend to replace. If your car has anti-lock brakes, you'll also need to disconnect the sensor wire from the strut. Disconnect the stabilizer bar.

   • 3

     Loosen the nuts holding the strut in place on the axle carrier, but don't remove them yet. Support the rear axle carrier with another jack stand.

   • 4

     Loosen and remove the nuts holding the strut in place in the tower and remove the nuts holding the strut in place to the axle carrier. Do not loosen the nut in the top center of the strut; you could seriously injure yourself by doing so.

   • 5

     Pull the old strut assembly out of the vehicle and put a new one in its place. Tighten the nuts holding the strut to the strut tower to 29 ft. lbs. of torque.

   • 6

     Put the nut holding the strut to the axle carrier back in place but don't tighten it yet. Reconnect the stabilizer link to the strut and replace the wheel. Remove the jack stands from underneath the axle carrier and axle, then bounce the vehicle a couple of times to stabilize the suspension.

   • 7

     Tighten the bolt holding the strut to the axle carrier to 188 ft. lbs. of torque.

   • 8

     Replace the rear seat cushion and reconnect the negative battery cable.

Tips & Warnings

• Never work underneath a car supported only by a jack; the jack may collapse and cause serious injury or death.