Camry shock mount question - help

[Dig]

I have a 97 Camry XLE with 40k miles. There is a thumping noise from the right front whenever I hit bumps.

After having it checked I was told that it needed front strut mounts.

When they gave me the quote it was to replace
mounts & bearings
struts assembly
alignment
All for $600.

After doing some checking I found that this seems to be a common problem but everyone has a different take on it. Some said they just change the mounts and leave everything else alone.

The car rides fine other than the thumping so my questiona are :
1. Do I really need to change the struts (shocks)
2. Do I need to change the bearings with the mounts (some people said yes some said no)

I just want to be sure that I am not replacing things just because one shop said I needed to.

Lastly is this a difficult job to do on ones one, I have advanced mechanical skills?

Thanks for your help

[Sundown311]

That sounds high. I would shop around for a cheaper place. And check to see if all repairs are necessary with the other places.

[GSS123]

If your price is based on toyota parts and shop repair then its right on.

You could replace just the top strut bracket (sometime called strut tower) on the side making the noise. This is the part that has the bearing. The entire assembly will set you back around $70 - $80. You also need some way to compress the strut spring so you can remove the strut tower. It isn't hard work. I would call around and see if you can bring the strut to a local mechanic and have them do the spring and strut tower change over. Then you reinstall the strut back on to the car. Messing with strut springs with some cheepo spring compressor is like putting a loaded gun up to your head.