Why Do You Need Struts For Toyota Camry?
We often have people asking us if it is possible to drive their cars without struts or how important they are. Well, you should know that you can drive your vehicles without a shock absorber. But it is impossible to drive them without struts, because, without them, the wheels will simply collapse.
Thus, the struts help you drive with more stability both on and off roads. So you can enjoy smoother and less bumpy rides no matter what. Moreover, installing good-quality struts help improve wheel alignment and steering.
Our Recommended Top 3 Products Comparison
+ Number Of Strut: Single
+ Position: Left, right
+ Material: Not specified
+ Exterior/Finish: Painted
+ Pre-assembled: Yes
+ Year Compatible: 1997-2001
+ Fitment: Vehicle specific
+ Weight: 5 pounds
+ Number Of Strut: Single
+ Position: Front right
+ Material: Alloy Steel
+ Exterior/Finish: Smooth
+ Pre-assembled: Yes
+ Year Compatible: 1997-2001
+ Fitment: Vehicle specific
Weight: 5 pounds
+ Number Of Strut: 2 pieces
+ Position: Rear
+ Material: Plated steel, rubber
+ Exterior/Finish: Smooth
+ Pre-assembled: Yes
+ Year Compatible: 2002-2006
+ Fitment Vehicle: Specific
+ Weight: 44.2 pounds
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Top 5 Best Struts For Toyota Camry Review
Whenever we talk about the top-rated Struts, KYB is the very first name that comes to our mind. Because it is one of the most reputed and reliable brands when it comes to getting vehicle replacement parts. So when we got the KYB SR4036 struts recommended and got the best performance, it wasn’t surprising.
The construction of this strut model was darn impressive. Its strut mounts are designed to ensure noiseless performance with the jounce bumper in the middle to interrupt with sudden impacts and soften it. According to a user, “No more shudder when I hit the rough spots.”
The heat-treated coil spring worked impressively when it came to balancing the vehicle’s weight and driving smoothly in various road conditions. Besides, we liked the fact that installing the strut gave us around an inch of ground clearance.
Talking about installation, since the strut comes pre-assembled, you don’t have to worry about putting it together. Just follow the installation instructions and you will be good to go. You can fit them perfectly in any Toyota Camry 1997-2001 model.
Why We Chose This Product?
The most obvious reason to choose this strut for our Toyota Camry is the brand’s reputation. Because KYB is known to use high-grade materials for its struts. We also liked the painted coating, which is corrosion-resistant. Besides, we enjoyed a stable and noiseless ride with this strut installed.
Then we found yet another excellent strut, which is just as good as the one from KYB. And this one also comes assembled, saving you time and hassle. But how reliable is it when it comes to improving the performance of your Toyota Camry?
Well, from the brushing material to the smooth exterior finish, this single-piece strut comes with a vehicle-fit design. It is made of alloy steel and we can vouch for the material because it feels pretty solid as we checked it out. Besides, the strut is made in the USA maintaining OE standards, which says a lot about its reliability.
Installing it did give us some ground space and the ride quality also improved. We still experienced slight bumps, but that felt like nothing unusual. It did, however, reduce unnecessary sway and was noiseless.
However, if you are looking for firm struts, this one isn’t for you. We found the performance slightly stiff and it gets noisier over time. But for the price, it was a good option. Besides, the installation took only 45 minutes. So why complain?
Why We Chose This Product?
Of course, we picked this one because it was very similar to the KYB strut and the performance was quite similar. On top of that, it is long-lasting, which explains when we read that one user said, “After 8 years, rides good.”
When researching the AUTOMUTO 2x rear struts, we read that one user said, “Probably the best value for money struts you can buy.” Not gonna lie, our experience matched these words and that’s how it landed on our list.
Whereas a single-piece vehicle strut comes at over $100, this pair of struts come at a comparatively more affordable cost. But don’t let the low price make you think otherwise because the quality was pretty top-notch.
The overall design consists of plated steel and rubber. So we experienced both sturdy and stiffness when riding the vehicles. And all the parts and components are made to meet OEM specifications and fit Toyota Camry 2002-2006 models.
We were worried that it would still cause vibration and make noise. But thankfully, the problem wasn’t that severe. But how long are they going to last? Well, we have been using ours for almost 4 years now. So you can trust them too. What we didn’t like was their 1-year warranty period.
Why We Chose This Product
This pair of struts was a good option at a fair price instead of getting a single strut. Besides, compared to the price, the struts were promising and they did perform well. And they are very durable, which is totally worth the price.
4. Detroit Axle Front & Rear Struts: Best Alternative
If you are not willing to spend some extra bucks on the best struts for the Toyota Camry that we mentioned above, here is a very affordable alternative for you. These Detroit Axle are very affordable and you get a whole set of 8 that offer quite satisfying performance.
We were quite excited to see that, for the price, we got 4 front and rear struts and 4 sway bars. And since they come pre-assembled, there is no need to do anything else but simply install them.
But the problem is, all of a sudden, our vehicle got around 1.5 to 2 inches of ground clearance, which wasn’t always very pleasing. However, as time passed, the vehicle weighed down a bit and the issue was resolved.
But you should not expect it to be completely noiseless. There were slight noises that grew over time and we also experienced vibration at some point. On top of that, the struts did not last as long as the other ones.
Why We Chose This Product
The price was an important factor in picking the struts. Besides, they were all easy to install and a good fit for our 1997-2001 Toyota Camry models. They may not seem top-notch, but as a user mentioned, “At first the struts are a little stiff but after a few weeks the ride gets smoother.”
5. OREDY Front & Rear Struts Set: Bonus Recommendation
If you are looking for something similar to compare the struts from Detroit Axle, you should check out these 4-piece set struts from OREDY. This brand is very reputed for offering affordable automotive replacement parts and these front and rear struts are no different.
Made with high-grade steel, they are very robust and the polished exterior will prevent corrosion issues for a while. But they are a good fit for any 1997-2001 Toyota Camry.
Lower Spring Isolators prevent metal-to-metal contact and help eliminate noise between the spring and spring seat.
However, we noticed that the exterior is losing its appeal after 1 year. Besides, they are not entirely noiseless. On top of that, the struts are not always very durable. But they come with an impressive 10-year warranty, which was quite assuring.
Why We Chose This Product
We found these struts almost as good as the ones from Detroit Axle. Besides, people who used these struts preferred them for the price saying, “These are a very good value, good tight ride.” And they really were good enough for the price.
Detroit Axle Struts vs OREDY – Which one is the Best?
| Features | Detroit Axle Struts | OREDY Struts |
| Rating: | 8.6/10 | 8.4/10 |
| Number Of Strut: | 8-piece set (4 struts & 4 sway bars) | 4-piece set (front & rear) |
| Front/Rare: | Front & rear | Front & rear |
| Material: | Premium-grade steel | Steel |
| Exterior/Finish: | Black electrophoretic coating | Polished |
| Pre-assembled: | Yes | Yes |
| Year Compatible: | 1997-2001 | 1997-2001 |
| Weight: | 90.1 pounds | 102.9 pounds |
How We Picked Our Products?
You have learned that we pick products based on authentic user reviews and expert recommendations. But since that gives us a long list of buying tips, we shortlisted them for our best struts for Toyota Camry reviews based on some particular features.
Vehicle Type
Every vehicle has different needs. So we chose struts based on the vehicle type because they also need to be compatible with the vehicle model.
Terrain
The type of terrain you drive on also determines what type of struts you need to choose. So we considered whether we will be getting struts for on or off-road vehicles to ensure maximum effectiveness.
Towing Or Hauling
Next, we considered the vehicle’s purpose. Is it a towing vehicle or a hauling vehicle? Or is it just a regular driving vehicle? It is necessary because the struts should have the capacity for such a weight load.
Performance
Since it’s hard to tell how they perform without installing or using them, we checked various reviews from e-commerce websites and users’ forums. Also, you must check the material and design quality, which says a lot about the strut’s performance.
Cost
Yes, we kept the price in mind as well and so should you. Most of the high-grade and reliable struts are pretty expensive. However, you have noticed that we also chose some strut sets, which are quite cost-effective than purchasing single-piece struts.
How to Install Struts on Toyota Camry
Frequently Asked Questions
Are struts and shocks the same?
No, status and shocks are not the same even though they may look pretty similar. Struts are structural components of a vehicle, while shocks are individual components of a vehicle’s suspension system.
How long do struts last?
The lifespan of the struts of the Toyota Camry depends on a few factors, such as the driving style, road condition, riding frequency, braking, etc. But usually, a good-quality strut or strut set should last more than 5 years and up to 10 years, or up to 100,000 miles.
Which struts ensure the smoothest rides?
The best way to ensure the struts give you the smoothest ride is to make sure they meet OE standards. Also, struts that are fine-tuned with rubber bushing are reliable for getting the smoothest riding experience.
Does a Toyota Camry have Strut shocks?
Toyota Camry models do come with struts and shocks to ensure more stability and a better riding experience. But if you do not like how the factory-built struts perform or if they wear out, you can always replace them.
Final Verdict
Choosing the best struts for the Toyota Camry becomes a lot easier if you know what model you have, how you ride, and where you ride. The struts we reviewed today are quite popular and also reliable. So you just have to pick the one that fits your requirements.
You can either choose a single-piece strut or go for sets to save money. I will leave it up to you.
References
- https://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/topic/211907-front-struts/
- https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/288034-complete-front-strut-assembly-recommendations.html
- familyhandyman.com/project/how-to-replace-your-own-struts/
- https://www.wikihow.com/Change-Struts
- https://www.counterman.com/replacing-front-struts-on-2007-2021-toyota-tundra/
