🔧 Camry - Strut Replacement

On your Camry, the front uses complete strut assemblies (strut + spring + mount), while the rear typically uses separate shock absorbers (the rear spring is separate from the shock). Replacing worn struts/shocks restores ride comfort, braking stability, and tire wear control.

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: 4-8 hours

Assumption: Stock suspension; using complete front “quick-strut” assemblies (recommended for beginners).

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support the car with jack stands—never rely on a floor jack.
• ⚠️ Keep clear of orange hybrid cables; do not pry or pull on them.
• ⚠️ If you reuse front springs, a spring compressor can be dangerous if used incorrectly; consider quick-struts to avoid compressing springs.
• ⚠️ After front strut replacement, a wheel alignment is required to prevent pulling and tire wear.
• ⚠️ Work on a cool vehicle; avoid hot brakes/rotors.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 19mm lug nut socket
• Breaker bar 1/2-inch drive
• Torque wrench 3/8-inch drive (10-80 ft-lbs)
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch drive (50-200 ft-lbs)
• Socket set metric 10mm-22mm
• Wrench set metric 10mm-22mm
• Allen key set metric (for sway bar link, if required)
• Needle-nose pliers
• Trim clip tool
• Paint marker
• Pry bar 18-inch
• Hammer 24oz
• Penetrating oil
• Spring compressor (specialty)
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front complete strut assemblies (quick-struts) - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Rear shock absorbers - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front strut mount hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Front strut-to-knuckle bolt and nut set - Qty: 2
• Rear shock upper mount kit - Qty: 2
• Penetrating oil - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to P, and set the parking brake.
• Chock the rear wheels before lifting the front (and chock the front wheels before lifting the rear).
• Loosen lug nuts with a 19mm lug nut socket and breaker bar before lifting.
• Spray strut bolts and sway bar link nuts with penetrating oil and let it soak 10 minutes.
• If using a spring compressor: it is a tool that squeezes the coil spring shorter so the top mount can be removed safely—use extreme caution and follow the tool’s instructions.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and remove the front wheels

• Use a floor jack to lift the front at the center jacking point.
• Place jack stands at the front pinch welds/subframe points and lower onto them.
• Remove lug nuts using a 19mm lug nut socket and take off both front wheels.

Step 2: Disconnect brackets and sway bar link from the strut

• Remove the brake hose/ABS wire brackets from the strut using a 10mm socket (and trim clip tool if clips are present).
• Remove the front sway bar end link nut at the strut using wrench/socket set metric 14mm-17mm.
• If the end link spins, hold the stud with an Allen key set metric while turning the nut with a wrench.

Step 3: Mark and remove the strut-to-knuckle bolts

• Use a paint marker to mark the relationship between the strut and steering knuckle to help keep alignment close.
• Support the knuckle lightly with the floor jack so it doesn’t drop and strain the axle.
• Remove the two large bolts/nuts connecting the strut to the knuckle using a breaker bar with 19mm-22mm sockets (sizes vary by hardware).
• Tap bolts out with a hammer if needed; use a pry bar gently to separate.

Step 4: Remove the front strut assembly

• Open the hood and locate the three strut mount nuts at the strut tower.
• While holding the strut from below, remove the three mount nuts using a 14mm socket.
• Lower and remove the strut assembly from the wheel well.

Step 5: Install the new front strut assembly

• Position the new strut into the tower and hand-start the three top nuts using a 14mm socket.
• Align the strut with the knuckle and install the lower bolts/nuts using 19mm-22mm sockets.
• Tighten fasteners with a torque wrench 1/2-inch drive:
• Torque to 47 Nm (35 ft-lbs) for the front strut mount nuts.
• Torque to 180 Nm (133 ft-lbs) for the front strut-to-knuckle bolts/nuts.
• Reconnect the sway bar end link and torque with a torque wrench:
• Torque to 74 Nm (55 ft-lbs) for the front sway bar link nut.
• Reinstall brake hose/ABS brackets using a 10mm socket:
• Torque to 9 Nm (80 in-lbs) for small bracket bolts.
• Tip: Start all bolts by hand first.

Step 6: Reinstall front wheels and lower

• Reinstall wheels and snug lug nuts using a 19mm lug nut socket.
• Lower the vehicle off jack stands using the floor jack.
• Torque lug nuts in a star pattern using a torque wrench:
• Torque to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Replace the rear shocks

• Chock the front wheels with wheel chocks.
• Lift the rear with a floor jack, set on jack stands, and remove rear wheels with a 19mm lug nut socket.
• Support the rear suspension arm slightly with the floor jack.
• Remove the lower shock bolt using 17mm-19mm socket/wrench.
• Access the upper shock nuts (commonly behind trunk side trim); remove trim clips with a trim clip tool.
• Remove upper shock nuts using a 14mm socket, then remove the shock.
• Install the new shock, hand-start upper nuts, then install lower bolt.
• Torque with a torque wrench:
• Torque to 39 Nm (29 ft-lbs) for rear shock upper nuts.
• Torque to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs) for the rear shock lower bolt.
• Reinstall trunk trim and clips using needle-nose pliers as needed.

Step 8: Reinstall rear wheels and lower

• Reinstall rear wheels and snug lug nuts using a 19mm lug nut socket.
• Lower the vehicle and torque lug nuts with a torque wrench:
• Torque to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• Test drive at low speed first; listen for clunks over bumps.
• Recheck lug nut torque after a short drive using a torque wrench.
• Get a 4-wheel alignment as soon as possible (especially after front struts).
• Watch for warning lights; if ABS light appears, recheck ABS wire routing and clips.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $1,000-$2,200 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $350-$1,000 (parts only)

You Save: $650-$1,200 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 4-7 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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