Struts

[jrm1966]

Hope this is the place to get advice on front struts. Thei is a 2000 Celica GTS -130,000 miles. It has a bad rattle from the front just driving up the driveway. After you get going you can't hear it but just wondering how do I check the front struts???The noise sounds like a shock that is just plum wore out and banging back and forth in the shock housing. I am new to struts- (Old man just used to shocks )
Drives and rides great
Thanks

[dyogim]

You check for bushings or ball joints?

[jrm1966]

Not yet. Not sure how to check them. Should I jack it up and see what moves?
Thanks for the reply

[dyogim]

Originally Posted by jrm1966

Not yet. Not sure how to check them. Should I jack it up and see what moves?
Thanks for the reply

That and appearence wise, look for cracked or worn bushings. Ball joints, if there's "play" in them, you need to replace them.

[LifeTech]

The top mount/bushing of the strut/w 3 top nuts where the strut connects to the tower will wear out over time ..130k sounds like this to be true. It is generally never replaced on a strut job and is overlooked.

The mount swivels when turning and thus has a rubber encased ball race which is grease packed. This wears out, and yu get clunking heard at low speed.
It should be replaced if there is this amount of mileage. It should be done with new struts to get it back to spec. and correct alignment.

A really worn out mount WILL alter your Caster angle way out of spec. Only 2 degrees off spec. will affect much more than yu think.

LT