How to replace the struts 2011-2017 Toyota Camry

Chapter 1:

Open the hood

Step 1/1

Turn your engine off, set the parking brake pull on the hood release handle, and open the hood.

Chapter 2:

Unscrew the strut mount bearing nuts

Step 1/3

Brush the 3 nuts holding the strut mount bearing and spray them with penetrating oil.

Chapter 2:

Step 2/3

Next, using a ratchet and a 14mm socket, unscrew the first two nuts holding the shock absorber a few threads so that there is enough slack for the next operations.

Chapter 2:

Step 3/3

Take a 14mm offset wrench to unscrew the last nut.

Chapter 3:

Lift the vehicle

Step 1/2

Loosen the stud bolts on the front wheels. Lift the front of your vehicle.

Chapter 3:

Step 2/2

Place the vehicle on the jack stands. Don’t forget to put the wheels under the vehicle!

Chapter 4:

Visualise

Step 1/1

You can now see the struts on your car. Turn the disc outwards, this will facilitate the following steps.

Chapter 5:

Remove various hoses

Step 1/2

Using a ratchet and a 12mm socket, unscrew the bolt securing the brake hose clamp.Then remove it.

Chapter 5:

Step 2/2

Using a fork, unclip the ABS sensor cable from the strut foot. Then shift the clamp.

Chapter 6:

Remove the sway bar end link

Step 1/1

Now you need to remove the upper ball joint of the sway bar end link.

Chapter 7:

Loosen the strut foot

Step 1/4

Brush the 2 strut foot bolts, then spray them with penetrating oil.

Chapter 7:

Step 2/4

Next, using a ratchet and a 22mm socket, a breaker bar and a 22mm socket to prevent the bolt from rotating, unscrew the strut foot nuts.

Chapter 7:

Step 3/4

Before removing the bolts, it is necessary to support the wheel knuckle with a jack to prevent the wheel knuckle assembly from falling. Then remove the bolts.

Chapter 7:

Step 4/4

You can use a pin punch and a plastic mallet.

Chapter 8:

Remove the strut

Step 1/3

Separate the strut foot from the wheel knuckle by prying it using a large screwdriver.

Chapter 8:

Step 2/3

The strut foot is now free.

Chapter 8:

Step 3/3

Hold the shock absorber with one hand and finish unscrewing the retaining nuts with the other. Remove the strut.

Chapter 9:

Install the new strut

Step 1/8

Take your new strut. Then remove the safety tape.

Chapter 9:

Step 2/8

Unscrew the 3 nuts holding the strut mount bearing.

Chapter 9:

Step 3/8

Insert the strut starting from the top part. Then loosely screw the 3 nuts back on so that there is enough slack for the next operations.

Chapter 9:

Step 4/8

Insert the wheel knuckle into the strut foot.

Chapter 9:

Step 5/8

Put the bolts back in place. Then screw the nuts back on, by hand at first.

Chapter 9:

Step 6/8

Screw the strut foot nuts back on until they make contact, using a ratchet and a 22mm socket, a breaker bar and a 22mm socket to prevent the bolt from rotating.

Chapter 9:

Step 7/8

Finish tightening using a torque wrench.

Chapter 9:

Step 8/8

Remove the jack.

Chapter 10:

Finalize the operation

Step 1/5

Put the ABS sensor cable back in place, then screw the brake hose clamp back on.

Chapter 10:

Step 2/5

Replace the ABS sensor cable in its slot.

Chapter 10:

Step 3/5

You can now put the sway bar end link back in place.

Chapter 10:

Step 4/5

Screw the nut of the upper ball joint of the sway bar end link back on.

Chapter 10:

Step 5/5

Finish tightening using a torque wrench.

Chapter 11:

Put the vehicle back on the ground

Step 1/4

Then, you will be able to put the wheels back on your vehicle.

Chapter 11:

Step 2/4

Put the car back on the ground and block the wheels properly.

Chapter 11:

Step 3/4

The final tightening of the three nuts holding the strut mount bearing is carried out once the vehicle is on the ground.

Chapter 11:

Step 4/4

Tighten the nuts with a torque wrench.

Chapter 12:

Safety tips

Step 1/2

During this operation, you will be intervening on the front axle of your car, so it is advisable to perform a wheel alignment afterwards.

Chapter 12:

Step 2/2

Operation complete.