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From: Ravi on 8 Oct 2008 14:49
Hi,
I hear a squeaking or grinding noise on the drivers front side on my
99 Toyota Camry.
I have shown it to a local mechanic and he suggests the following
parts to be replaced and here is his estimate. Is it reasonable?

2 front strut mounts ($180)
2 stabilizer bar linkage ($176)
2 sway bar bushing ($34)
2 REAR sway bar bushings ($34)

labor - ( 3 hrs * $80 )

How do I make sure he is using the original Toyota parts?

When I called dealer, they say they charge $105 for just giving the
estimate. Is it better to go to dealer or a local mechanic for this
kind of work? Do any of them give guarantee on their work, meaning
if the same problem occurs in a year will they do it free for me?


Thanks a lot for your help,
From: Daniel on 8 Oct 2008 19:14
Ravi wrote:
> Hi,
> I hear a squeaking or grinding noise on the drivers front side on my
> 99 Toyota Camry.
> I have shown it to a local mechanic and he suggests the following
> parts to be replaced and here is his estimate. Is it reasonable?
>
> 2 front strut mounts ($180)
> 2 stabilizer bar linkage ($176)
> 2 sway bar bushing ($34)
> 2 REAR sway bar bushings ($34)
>
> labor - ( 3 hrs * $80 )
>
> How do I make sure he is using the original Toyota parts?
>
> When I called dealer, they say they charge $105 for just giving the
> estimate. Is it better to go to dealer or a local mechanic for this
> kind of work? Do any of them give guarantee on their work, meaning
> if the same problem occurs in a year will they do it free for me?
>
>
> Thanks a lot for your help,
==================================================
My guess would be strut mounts. Omit the other items. Unless you hear
a rattling sound over light road imperfections, that would be the
stabilizer bar (aka sway bar) bushings. Wear on these is not uncommon,
and they're inexpensive and fairly simple to change so it may be a
good idea to replace them if worn, - they just wouldn't cause a
grinding noise, when worn they allow the bar to rattle over bumps.
Sometimes, if dry, they can squeak, so silicone grease when installing
new is a good idea, Stabilizer bar linkages would not make a grinding
noise. Factory service manual says replace when worn (testing by
turning off the vehicle and measuring resistance to movement with a
tension scale) I just replaced mine when the rubber boots started
leaking.
Best idea, get another opinion. These strut suspension systems are
used on almost all front wheel drive cars now, and any good mechanic
should have experience working with them.
Not sure why the Toyota dealer charges for estimates. My local Toyota
dealer does free estimates. Actually, they went over the whole car
making recommendations one time when I really only asked for a four
wheel computerized alignment. A lot of the items they mentioned did
need attention though, and I eventually got them done - though I did
the work myself.
You might try a different Toyota dealer, and also get another estimate
from a local independent shop.
From: johngdole on 8 Oct 2008 21:19
Toyota have problems with defective struts mounts, even in later
models. These are probably the reason for the noises you hear going
over the bumps. You can try replacing these only.

The other components, including rubber boots, seats, and the struts,
are probably worn by now, but it's hard to tell without seeing it.

If so, consider QuickStrut with all new components. These do not
include the links and stabilizer bushings, so you add these if needed.
You should also get the alignment checked when you replace front
suspension components.

http://info.rockauto.com/Monroe/Detail.html?http://catalog.tenneco.com/monroe/partImageDisplay.do?catalogCode=MONROE&partNumber=171678&viewCode=

You can save some money getting aftermarket stabilizer links. The
other parts seem OK for a shop to charge. Of course, it's going to
cost more than doing the job yourself.



On Oct 8, 11:49 am, Ravi <vinnam...(a)gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi,
> I hear a squeaking or grinding noise on the drivers front side on my
> 99 Toyota Camry.
> I have shown it to a local mechanic and he suggests the following
> parts to be replaced and here is his estimate. Is it reasonable?
>
> 2 front strut mounts  ($180)
> 2 stabilizer bar linkage ($176)
> 2 sway bar bushing      ($34)
> 2 REAR sway bar bushings ($34)
>
> labor - ( 3 hrs * $80 )
>
> How do I make sure he is using the original Toyota parts?
>
> When I called dealer, they say they charge $105 for just giving the
> estimate. Is it better to go to dealer or a local mechanic for this
> kind of work?  Do any of them give guarantee on their work, meaning
> if  the same problem occurs in a year will they do it free for me?
>
> Thanks a lot for your help,

From: ransley on 9 Oct 2008 10:16
On Oct 8, 1:49 pm, Ravi <vinnam...(a)gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi,
> I hear a squeaking or grinding noise on the drivers front side on my
> 99 Toyota Camry.
> I have shown it to a local mechanic and he suggests the following
> parts to be replaced and here is his estimate. Is it reasonable?
>
> 2 front strut mounts  ($180)
> 2 stabilizer bar linkage ($176)
> 2 sway bar bushing      ($34)
> 2 REAR sway bar bushings ($34)
>
> labor - ( 3 hrs * $80 )
>
> How do I make sure he is using the original Toyota parts?
>
> When I called dealer, they say they charge $105 for just giving the
> estimate. Is it better to go to dealer or a local mechanic for this
> kind of work?  Do any of them give guarantee on their work, meaning
> if  the same problem occurs in a year will they do it free for me?
>
> Thanks a lot for your help,

105 to look at it, where in Beverly Hills! call in a few days I bet
they drop the fee. But even so they will be maybe double the normal
price. It may not be all you say but one area on one side, or a cv
joint unless it happens all the time on bumps. Any good shop guarntees
their work.
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