06-11 Toyota Camry Front Strut Replacement | O'Reilly Auto Parts

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Your 2006-2011 Toyota Camry’s front struts work as a structural component to absorb energy from the suspension system and prevent excessive movement when driving. Replacing worn or faulty struts can improve the comfort and overall ride of your 06-11 Toyota Camry, since struts help with braking, handling and alignment. Over time, struts can wear out and cause suspension damage or abnormal tire wear. Inspecting the struts on your Camry every 50,000 miles or so and changing them in pairs when they’re faulty will help keep your ride smooth and adjacent components healthy.

Tools & Materials List

Step-by-Step Instructions

Additional Resources

Lift and support the front end, and remove the front wheels.

Prepare Your Camry

Park on a level surface and open the hood. If your Camry has them, remove the front wheel covers. Use a 21mm socket and breaker bar or lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts on the front wheels. Chock the rear wheels, then use a jack and jack stands to lift and support the front end. Remove the lug nuts, then the front wheels.

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Support the lower control arm with a floor jack and a piece of wood.

Support the Lower Control Arm

Support the lower control arm with a jack on the side where you’ll be working first, using a block of wood to prevent damage if needed.

Do It Right: It may be necessary to adjust the height of the jack at different points in the process.

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Detach brake line and ABS brackets so they can be moved to the side.

Move Brake Lines and Wires Aside

Use a 12mm socket and ratchet to remove the brake line bracket bolt and move the lines away from the bracket. Detach the plastic bracket securing the ABS wire and move the wire to the side.

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Remove the sway bar link from the bracket.

Remove the Sway Bar Link from the Bracket

Use an 18mm wrench to secure the sway bar link stud to keep it from turning, and an 18mm socket and ratchet to remove the nut. Pull the sway bar out of the bracket.

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Loosen and remove the nuts on the bottom bolts.

Loosen the Nuts on the Bottom Bolts

Use a 22mm wrench to secure the top shock absorber bolt at the lower end of the assembly, and a 22mm socket and ratchet to loosen the nut. Use the same wrench and socket to loosen the nut on the bottom bolt.

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Remove the bottom bolts and remove the knuckle from the strut.

Separate the Knuckle from the Strut

Once both nuts are removed, take out the bolts and separate the knuckle from the strut. Tap the bolts through with a hammer if needed.

Do It Right: Make sure you aren’t putting pressure on any of the hoses or wires, as this can cause damage and leaks.

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Loosen the top strut nuts.

Loosen the Top Strut Nuts

Use a 14mm socket and ratchet or breaker bar to loosen the three nuts securing the top of the strut assembly. Ensure you’re not loosening the center nut, which is used to keep the strut spring in place.

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Remove the top strut nuts.

Remove the Top Strut Nuts

Remove the first two nuts. For the last one, reach into the wheel well and take hold of the strut assembly, then remove the final nut by hand.

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Remove the strut assembly from the wheel well.

Remove the Strut Assembly

With that nut removed, you should be able to lower the old strut assembly out through the wheel well.

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Compare the old strut assembly with the new one to make sure you have the right replacement.

Compare Your New Strut Assembly with the Old One

Compare your replacement strut assembly to the old one to make sure you have the right part.

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Install the new strut assembly.

Install Your New Strut Assembly

Remove the nuts from the top of the new assembly. Move the new strut into place and insert the studs into the holes in the strut tower, then thread the nuts by hand to keep it in place.

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Secure the top mounting nuts, then torque them to 63 foot-pounds.

Secure the Top Nuts

Use your ratchet and 15mm socket to tighten those nuts, then torque them to 63 foot-pounds. (The studs and nuts on your replacement strut could be a slightly different size than those found on the original.)

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Install the bottom mounting bolts.

Install the Bolts at the Bottom of the Strut

Align the holes at the bottom of the strut with its corresponding holes on the knuckle, and insert the bolts.

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Thread and tighten the bottom nuts, then torque them to 155 foot-pounds.

Secure the Bottom Nuts

Thread the nuts back onto those bolts by hand, then use your ratchet and 22mm socket to tighten them. Secure those bolts with a wrench and torque the nuts to 155 foot-pounds.

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Reinstall the sway bar link.

Reinstall the Sway Bar Link

Reinstall the sway bar link into the bracket on the strut and thread the nut back onto the stud. Use your torque wrench and 18mm socket to tighten that nut to 55 foot-pounds. Use a wrench to secure the stud if needed.

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Reposition and attach the ABS and brake line.

Reattach ABS and Brake Line Brackets

Reattach the ABS bracket, then use your 12mm socket and ratchet to reattach the brake line bracket.

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Lower the jack from under the lower control arm.

Remove the Jack from the Control Arm

Lower the jack from underneath the control arm.

Do It Right: It’s always best to replace strut assemblies in pairs, so repeat these steps on the other side.

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Reinstall the wheels.

Reinstall Your Wheels

Put your wheels back in place, and use a ratchet and 21mm socket or lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts until the wheels are snug against the rotors.

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Lower the vehicle and torque the lug nuts in a star pattern to 76 foot-pounds.

Secure Your Wheels

Lower the front end and remove the wheel chocks. Tighten the lug nuts on the front wheels in a star pattern to 76 foot-pounds. Reinstall your wheel covers, if equipped. Close the hood.

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Do It Right: It’s likely you’ll need an alignment after changing your strut assemblies. If you need an alignment after completing the job, we’d be happy to recommend a trusted local alignment shop.

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The automotive repair work depicted in this series is performed under the direction of the manufacturer of the product featured. Prior to undertaking any of the demonstrated repairs on your vehicle, we suggest you consult with a certified mechanic or another professional who can adequately advise you of the proper repair or remedy required. O’Reilly Automotive Stores, Inc. and its affiliates (“O’Reilly”) disclaims any responsibility for injury or damage resulting from a viewer’s attempt to recreate the repairs shown in this series.