How to Replace Rear Strut Assembly 97-01 Toyota Camry
Difficulty: Advanced · About 75 min · Toyota Camry
Replace the rear strut assembly, including accessing its top mount through the trunk, on a 1997-2001 Toyota Camry.
Tools you will need
- Floor jack
- Jack stands
- Ratchet
- 10mm wrench
- 12mm wrench
- 13mm wrench
- 14mm socket
- 19mm wrench
- 21mm socket
- Torque wrench
- 1/2 inch breaker bar
- Locking pliers
Parts and supplies
- Rear strut assembly
Steps
- Remove the wheel
Loosen the lug nuts with the car on the ground, then raise and support it and pull the wheel.
- Disconnect the strut's lower end
Remove the brake line's 12mm bolt and the ABS sensor's 10mm bolt and pull both off the strut, lock pliers onto the upper sway bar ball joint and remove its 14mm nut, free the link from the strut, then remove the two 19mm bolts joining the strut to the spindle.
- Access and remove the strut's top mount
Pull the rear seat cushion out, remove each bolster's 12mm bolt and pull them out, move the seatbelt aside, pull back the sound-deadening material, then remove the three 12mm top mount bolts and pull the strut down and out.
- Install the new strut
Line up its studs and start the top mount nuts by hand, insert the lower 19mm bolts and torque them to about 83 ft-lb, refit the ABS sensor bracket and brake line, then reconnect the sway bar link and its nut using locking pliers on the ball joint.
- Reinstall the wheel and finish reassembly
Torque the lug nuts to about 76 ft-lb in a crossing pattern and refit the center cap, then fully tighten the three top mount nuts, refit the seat bolsters and their bolts, and reinstall the seat cushion and seatbelts.
Check your vehicle’s repair manual for exact specifications and fit.