89 Toyota Camry is clunking bad when turning both ways.

Tiny
LAWDAWG34
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  • 1989 TOYOTA CAMRY
I have a 1989 Toyota Camry that has 270,000 miles on it and when turning either way the whole car clunks. I first thought that it was the CV joints/Axles so I replaced both sides with the whole assembly.

I have found out that this did not fix the problem. I still have the clunking turning both ways when taking off. It still acts as the axles are put in a bind in some way and knocking. I have noticed the bushings that attach the sway bar to the lower control arms are both shot and wore bad. Can this be the problem. If so where can I get a new set of bushing instead of purchasing new control arms. Thanks
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Wednesday, February 28th, 2007 AT 12:58 PM

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Tiny
CHEVY22
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You should fix what you know is bad first, the sway bar bushings are seperate from the control arms, and can be purchase for approx 15 dollars for both side, I would reccomend cutting the old ones off as they are probably rusted and wont come off with a wrench when that is done let us know what happens

thanks, jim

oh and if you are happy with the info please leave some feedback we all donate out time here helping people for free
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Wednesday, February 28th, 2007 AT 2:55 PM
Tiny
LAWDAWG34
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I know the sway bar bushings are different from the actual lower control arm bushings. The bushings to the sway bar to frame do not need replaced but the ones that attach the sway bar to the control arm are bad. I was asking could this be the problem. And yes I can leave feedback. Thanks.
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Thursday, March 1st, 2007 AT 12:15 AM
Tiny
CHEVY22
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The ones you speak of is what I ws talking about they go from the lower conreol arm to the sway bar, cut them of and put new ones in 1/2 at best for both and cheap

thanks jim
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Thursday, March 1st, 2007 AT 6:27 AM
Tiny
LAWDAWG34
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Ok thank you again. All I have to do now is find the bushings. My local parts stores do not carry them. Besides online I dont know where I can get them.
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Thursday, March 1st, 2007 AT 12:29 PM
Tiny
CHEVY22
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Try the dealer
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Thursday, March 1st, 2007 AT 12:32 PM
Tiny
LAWDAWG34
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I just got done talking to a guy I know that works at toyota and he said its a dealer item only and they are about 20 or 25 bucks a piece. Thanks
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Thursday, March 1st, 2007 AT 12:40 PM
Tiny
CHEVY22
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No problem
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Thursday, March 1st, 2007 AT 12:44 PM
Tiny
LAWDAWG34
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You dont know by chance how much of a pain they are going to be to get the old ones out do you.
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Thursday, March 1st, 2007 AT 12:50 PM
Tiny
CHEVY22
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If you have a hack saw or swzall, cut them off, cut right through the rubber bushing where the nut is located and when your through they will almost fall out

jim
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Thursday, March 1st, 2007 AT 12:56 PM
Tiny
LAWDAWG34
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Well I changed passenger side and need to change drivers side. But as I had the drivers side up in the air I noticed the if I had it in neutral and turned the wheel that the wheel would kind of bind. I left it jacked up and started the car and put it in gear. With the wheel straight and it in gear the drivers side wheel was popping and making all kinds of racket. In both forward and reverse. I put the wheel back on and took it down my street. It still only pops when I am turning and doesnt do it when I am going straight.

In my driveway I pulled the ebrake and left the wheel straight and drove forward and reverse and it did not pop. Its weird. Is it the tranny or what. Its so strange.
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Saturday, March 3rd, 2007 AT 6:30 PM
Tiny
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When you were under there did you happen to look at the cv boots to see if they were torn?
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Saturday, March 3rd, 2007 AT 6:43 PM
Tiny
LAWDAWG34
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I didnt look at them. But I will add that I replaced both sides with all new axle/cv joint assemblies because that is what I thought was wrong to begin with.
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Saturday, March 3rd, 2007 AT 6:52 PM
Tiny
LAWDAWG34
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Well I did replace the bushings that connect the sway bar to the control arm and that did not help. It still is popping bad when turning. I believe it is the transmission but it only pops when turning not when going straight which doesnt make any sense. I have pulled the e-brake and tried going straight to put a little strain on the tranny to see if it would pop then but it doesnt. So I dont know what it is. Any ideas. The axles on both sides are brand new units.
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Wednesday, March 14th, 2007 AT 12:36 PM
Tiny
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Try grabbing the inner joints on each axle to see if you have play
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Wednesday, March 14th, 2007 AT 2:20 PM
Tiny
LAWDAWG34
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I have and there is not much play. If I grab the inner axle shaft that runs into the tran on the drivers side there is a little play up and down and a little in and out.

I'm sure that I have the axle in all the way as you can tell that the lock clip catches and keeps axle from coming out. The side poppins is the drivers side only. I am not sure what it is.

I hope the transmission is not out of the car. My friends thought it was the bushings but I replaced them and it is still popping. Now a friend of mine thinks its the tranny but it does not do it all the time as I would think if tranny is going out it would do it all the time.
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Thursday, March 15th, 2007 AT 1:29 AM

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