Good Toyota shop manual/ rebuildable strut identification

5th September 2006, 09:28 PM

Does anyone have a reccomendation for a good Toyota Camry (1991)shop
manual? I'm new to Toyotas. Where can I get a factory shop manual
from, (other than the dealer)?

How can I tell if my struts are the rebuildable kind or not without
first removing them?

I did a search on this group and someone said that springs can wear
out?? I know springs can sag over time, but the spring rate should not
change. The right rear makes a horrific clunk sound when I hit bumps.
Should I be looking at something in addition to the struts themselves?
Someone suggested that the shock mounts or the springs themselves may
need replacement too.

Any good Toyota websites?

Thanks,
Ernie

6th September 2006, 11:37 PM

".//Hachiroku" <Truenoe@ae86.gta> wrote in message
news:EPKLg.1891$1b3.801@trndny03...
> On Tue, 05 Sep 2006 21:26:18 -0500, Ray O wrote:
>
>>
>> "Ernie" <bbear505@> wrote in message
>> news:1157506101.589703.29940@m73g2000cwd. ...
>>>
>>>
>>> Does anyone have a reccomendation for a good Toyota Camry (1991)shop
>>> manual? I'm new to Toyotas. Where can I get a factory shop manual
>>> from, (other than the dealer)?
>>
>> techinfo.toyota.com has on line access to factory service manuals for
>> 1995
>> and later vehicles for $10/day. Otherwise, you might want to try e-bay.
>>
>>>
>>> How can I tell if my struts are the rebuildable kind or not without
>>> first removing them?
>>
>> A "rebuildable" strut is one where you can change the strut cartridge.
>> Check on line for strut cartridges for your application. If you can buy
>> a
>> strut cartridge, then the strut is rebuildable.
>>
>> IMO, replacing struts or strut cartridges is one of the most dangerous
>> operations on a vehicle. Do-it-yourself strut spring compressors can
>> slip,
>> and the spring will fly.
>
>
> Yeah...right through a CinderBlock wall!!!!
>
> In Greenfield...I had a friend's father replace mine, rather than pay
> Jim...
>
> Good thing we were on the OTHER side of the car!!!
>
> There is one spring compressor that you have to bolt to the spring, it's
> secure, but it's still pretty scary...
>

All those DIY spring compressors are scary! That's why I paid someone to do
the struts the one time I needed them.
--

Ray O