1998 Toyota Corolla suspension

Hello –

To better assist you please tell me if your vehicle is a CE Sedan, LE Sedan or a VE Sedan.

ImpalaSS: In reply to your question, the car is a LE Sedan; forgot to mention that I also replaced rear motor mount.

Hello - Thanks for the info........I want to make sure we are on the same page. The clunking sound is driving and started how long ago? Even like you said, small bumps. I have pic attached to refer to.....since some of these parts are called different things; I want to make sure we are saying the same thing. For example, I will start with the right side....on a Maximum there is a strut mount bearing....but it isn't called that on this car. So I can make sure we are saying the same thing....please tell me by number what you replaced. Right side you replaced what you call the bearing plate which is number 2 on the pic? Yes? And the bearing....which is which number? On the left side you replaced the ball joint, and number 2. Yes? We can discuss when you get back with me. My input. I recent worked on a 1999 Nissan Maxima. Replaced the struts and upper insulators. The clunking noise was still there. I replaced every part except the springs......the clunking noise was still there. I replaced the struts a second time.....noise went away. These were Gabriel top of the line struts also....so I was into the front end 3 times in a week. My suggestion is to replace all of the components, 1 (comes with the strut), 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9. The main reason is all of these parts play a part in the suspension and also have how ever many miles you have on the car....on them too. The struts as you see don't have to be leaking to be bad...they are in constant movement. As you saw, two new struts above. Last, I am sure the mechanic knows, but the final torque is with weight on wheels. Now I would still look my mounts over really good...you replaced the one....but look at the others including the transmission. After your review let me know what you think.

ImpallaSS: In reply to you question: I bought the strut mount bearing plates, also called the towers, both sides; numbers 1, 2, & 3. My neighbor, a mechanic put them in. The next day the right front press on bearing failed; had that replaced plus lower motor mount & left ball joint. I replaced struts two years ago (30k miles), kept the same springs. The main noise is from the left front, but if either side hits a sharp bump (small pot hole) they make noise like someone hit the fender with a 10lb sledgehammer.

Hello –

If it were me as I said in the previous post……..I would replace it all………..without being there to hear the noise etc of course makes it hard.

I can only tell you what I have seen and my experience………..again, the struts don’t have to be leaking to be bad…….the ones I changed were brand new………………….but I would change all of the parts as suggested.

ImpallaSS: I did replace everything. It turned out that both front struts were bottoming out on slight bumps, but were rebounding fine. The passenger side half shaft cv bearings got hot & threw all the grease out, that was replaced. Those three replacements fixed it the klunking sound. The front end is now 4 inches higher than before.

Hello –

Thanks for the update and that your vehicle is back running fine.

Have a safe New Year.