🔧 Camry - Front Strut Replacement

Assumption: This guide covers the front struts. If you meant the rear shocks/struts, the parts and steps are different.

The front struts support the suspension, steering feel, and ride quality. On your Camry, the strut assembly must be removed from the steering knuckle and upper mount, then the new assembly installed and torqued correctly. An alignment is required after this repair.

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: 4-6 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Support the car securely on jack stands before removing any suspension parts.
• Do not work under a car supported only by a jack.
• The steering knuckle and brake hose can move suddenly when the strut is removed.
• Use a spring compressor only if you are transferring the spring to a new strut. A compressed spring stores a lot of energy.
• Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.
• Wheel alignment is required after installation.

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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
• 21mm lug wrench
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 19mm socket
• 21mm socket
• 14mm wrench
• 17mm wrench
• Torque wrench
• Breaker bar
• Penetrating oil
• Rubber mallet
• Spring compressor (specialty)
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front strut assembly - Qty: 2
• Front strut mount hardware - Qty: 2
• Front strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts - Qty: 2 sets
• Front sway bar end link nuts - Qty: 2

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Loosen the front lug nuts before lifting the car.
• If you are replacing both sides, do one side at a time so the other side can be used as a reference.
• If you are reusing the spring, use a spring compressor and keep your hands clear of the coil path.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the wheel

• Use a 21mm lug wrench to loosen the front wheel lug nuts 1/2 turn while the car is still on the ground.
• Do not remove them yet.

Step 2: Raise and support the car

• Use a floor jack to lift the front of the car at the proper lift point.
• Set the car securely on jack stands and lower it onto the stands.
• Remove the wheel with the 21mm lug wrench.

Step 3: Disconnect the brake line and wiring brackets

• Use a 14mm socket to remove any brackets holding the brake hose or ABS wire to the strut.
• Keep the hose and wire supported so they are not stretched.

Step 4: Remove the sway bar end link from the strut

• Use a 17mm socket and 17mm wrench to remove the sway bar end link nut from the strut.
• If the stud spins, hold it with the wrench while loosening the nut.

Step 5: Separate the strut from the steering knuckle

• Use a 21mm socket and breaker bar to remove the lower strut-to-knuckle bolts.
• Apply penetrating oil if the bolts are tight.
• Support the knuckle so it does not pull on the axle or brake hose.
• Mark the bolt position first.

Step 6: Remove the upper strut mount nuts

• Open the hood and locate the top of the strut tower.
• Use a 14mm socket to remove the upper strut mount nuts.
• Hold the strut from below while removing the last nut so it does not drop.

Step 7: Remove the strut assembly

• Lower the strut assembly out of the wheel well.
• If the assembly will not clear, move the knuckle slightly by hand for extra room.

Step 8: Transfer the spring if needed

• If you are installing a complete strut assembly, skip this step.
• If reusing the spring, install a spring compressor (specialty) on the old strut spring and compress it evenly.
• Use a 14mm socket to remove the top strut nut and transfer the spring and mount to the new strut.
• Make sure the spring ends seat correctly in the perch.

Step 9: Install the new strut assembly

• Position the new strut into the tower and hand-start the upper mount nuts using a 14mm socket.
• Align the lower strut bracket with the steering knuckle.
• Install the lower bolts and nuts by hand first.
• Torque the lower strut-to-knuckle bolts to 180 Nm (133 ft-lbs).
• Torque the upper strut mount nuts to 47 Nm (35 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Reattach the end link, brake hose, and wiring

• Use a 17mm socket and 17mm wrench to reinstall the sway bar end link nut.
• Torque the end link nut to 74 Nm (55 ft-lbs).
• Use a 14mm socket to reinstall the brake hose and ABS wire brackets.

Step 11: Reinstall the wheel

• Install the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
• Lower the car to the ground.
• Use a 21mm torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque the lug nuts to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• Turn the steering wheel left and right to make sure nothing binds.
• Check that the brake hose and ABS wire are not twisted or stretched.
• Test drive slowly and listen for clunks or rubbing.
• Schedule a front-end alignment as soon as possible.
• If you replaced only one side, the car may still ride unevenly.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $700-$1,400 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $220-$500 (parts only)

You Save: $480-$900 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 3-5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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