Are these jobs too difficult for a newbie?

[mrtwo]

The only thing i tried is to chang spare tire (95 camry). Now i am wondering if these two jobs too difficult for me?

1. Check rear strut mounts and replace if necessary.
2. Check engine mounts and replace if necessary.

The only tools i have are those came with the car. I don't have a garage so that i have to do it outdoor. If u feel i can diy, what tools i may need? Thanks.

[WickedLexus96]

you will be able to do those but u will need sumthing to hold the engine up when doing the engine mounts and teh struts u will need a jack, jack stands, wrenches, allen wrenches, and a spring compression if needed.

[yotatechie04]

You can do it, although you might end up spending more money on tools than you did on parts.

[Brian R.]

Originally Posted by yotatechie04

You can do it, although you might end up spending more money on tools than you did on parts.

or than you would have spent on a mechanic.

[yotatechie04]

Good point.

[mrtwo]

But once u learned how to do it, u know what to do if it gives u trouble later.

[Brian R.]

By the time you have to do this again, you'll have misplaced the tools and forgotten everything you learned from the first time...

[mrtwo]

That is probably true :-) (how do u put that smile in line with text, Brian??)
But the idea of repair myself really make me excited and i can get some very cheap tools from Ebay, e.g. coil spring compressor. Any idea where to get a torque wrench? Cost about $40 on Ebay.

[Brian R.]

I would recommend against buying a used torque wrench. They are precision instruments and can be damaged or go out of calibration.

Sears has reasonable torque wrenches. You need two, one for smaller bolts and one for larger ones.

Here are the two I would recommend. You can buy one at first if you know you will only need one range, but eventually, you will need both.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00944593000

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00944595000

If you are unfamiliar with torque wrenches, these are micrometer torque wrenches. With these you dial in the torque you want and they click and release slightly when you have reached the given torque. Very precise and you don't have to see them to work with them (except to set the torque). KD tools sells higher quality wrenches, but you get what you pay for.

http://www.toolsource.com/ost/result...=torque+wrench

for example, this the wrench I bought:
http://www.toolsource.com/ost/produc...PGL1FCWF668BM8

When you consider the cost of simple hand tools, paying $130 for a torque wrench you will use often is a bargain. The KD wrench is more accurate, and probably has a more precise ratchet (turns less between clicks on the rachet), making it a little more precise and versatile than the Sears' wrench.

Any micrometer torque wrench must be stored between uses with a very low torque setting dialed in. Otherwise the spring inside will loose its tension and the torque will change. Then you will need to get it recalibrated, but you won't know it. Treat them like a precision instrument and they will stay in calibration for a long time.

BTW, rule #1 of torquing, always torque a lubricated bolt into a clean hole.

Also, it is easy to strip the threads on a coil spring compressor, so make sure you know the quality of the compressor before you buy it used. Grease the threads to prevent their damage during use.

Smile is just colon + parentheses or semicolon + parentheses.

[mrtwo]

Good info, Brian
The 25-250 wrench from sears looks attractive to me. I will go and check it out. What is 3/8 or 1/2 drive? What do i need to work with the wrench? Also where can i get the lubricant used for bolt thread? Thanks.

[Snobrdrblinkchik]

I wouldn't get any of those cheap spring compressors off ebay...go for quality...I've snapped many many many of those compressors I bought off ebay...I don't even mess w/ em anymore...ohh and if you do decide to get coil compressors, it's a pain without air tools...just something to think about

[Brian R.]

Originally Posted by mrtwo

Good info, Brian
The 25-250 wrench from sears looks attractive to me. I will go and check it out. What is 3/8 or 1/2 drive? What do i need to work with the wrench? Also where can i get the lubricant used for bolt thread? Thanks.

The two I picked overlap. If you get a 25-250, you will not have a torque wrench around 20-25 ftlbs - which is a very useful range. The little wrench stops at 250 inlbs which is a little over 20 ftlbs. You have to overlap your wrenches. You probably will never use over 150 ftlbs anyway.

The 3/8 and 1/2" drives refer to the square fitting that fits in sockets. 1/2" is the most you will need. Get adapters so you can use all the sockets with either wrench. Smaller sockets are generally 3/8" drive and larger are 1/2" drive. They go to 1" or larger for big sockets.

Usually engine oil is used to lubricate bolt threads unless they are going into aluminum, then you need antiseize compound.

[mrtwo]

The Haynes Manual turns out useless when come to details. I try to access the rear strut mount. I was able to pull out rear seat cushion and take off the shoulder bolster bolt. It still won't come off then use my strength and end up damage the plastic clip on the shoulder bolster. (on Figure 20.6, it did not show there is a platic clip on the shoulder bolster at all) Now i can see the top of mounts but have no idea how to take the panel with two speakers on it off. Maybe those are just small things but when u damage something it make u feel bad

[Brian R.]

Look at the bright side, you've learned something already.

[Toyrolla]

Originally Posted by mrtwo

The Haynes Manual turns out useless when come to details. I try to access the rear strut mount. I was able to pull out rear seat cushion and take off the shoulder bolster bolt. It still won't come off then use my strength and end up damage the plastic clip on the shoulder bolster. (on Figure 20.6, it did not show there is a platic clip on the shoulder bolster at all) Now i can see the top of mounts but have no idea how to take the panel with two speakers on it off. Maybe those are just small things but when u damage something it make u feel bad

Welcome to Toyota DIY...

Since you're going to be working on your own car, may I suggest a Toyota shop manual for your car. You can probably get one new or used from Ebay a lot cheaper than the dealer.

Good luck with working on your car...