Strut Tower Bushing Replacement TSB #ST008-01 Question

[Stock Solara SEV6]

I've done a search but can't locate details on how to replace the strut tower bushing to fix a squeaky noise during turning. I found the blow up drawing of the suspension, but don't see anything listed as "strut tower bushing". Has anyone done this fix? How hard is it?
My girlfriends car sounds like crap because of this and would like to fix it (she probably thinks I caused it!).
Thanks.

[offthahook]

I've done a search but can't locate details on how to replace the strut tower bushing to fix a squeaky noise during turning. I found the blow up drawing of the suspension, but don't see anything listed as "strut tower bushing". Has anyone done this fix? How hard is it?
My girlfriends car sounds like crap because of this and would like to fix it (she probably thinks I caused it!).
Thanks.

You might be talking about struts mounts. I just had mine done. I think the Toyota manual calls struts mounts "suspension supports". I thought it was a bushing at first (it really is), too. You'll need to get strut mounts and they have been redesigned to prevent future failure. See this...

http://www.zer0.info/solaraguy/viewtopi ... 23&start=0

[Stock Solara SEV6]

Thanks! Looks like you would have to compress the coil spring and then unbolt the entire strut to get at it. With that much work, it may be worth replacing the struts at the same time? The car has about 60k miles on it and rides great, so I don't think I really need new struts.

[offthahook]

Thanks! Looks like you would have to compress the coil spring and then unbolt the entire strut to get at it. With that much work, it may be worth replacing the struts at the same time? The car has about 60k miles on it and rides great, so I don't think I really need new struts.

Yup, the whole thing has to be compressed to get to the mounts. On replacing the struts themselves... I would doubt they need it now, but you are "in there" already so you could save $$$ down the road. The previous owner took her Solara to Toyota for a suspension creak in 2003. They (Toyota service) told her $1500 for struts and she took it somewhere else and had the struts replaced (but not the mounts). It was a misdiagnosis obviously. So when I got it, I replaced the mounts and knew the struts had been replaced already. She told me she thought struts were supposed to be replaced at 60K anyway!! Maybe on older domestics, but I would guess stock struts could last 100K+ easy.

The Toyota dealer she took it to is a rip... They charged her $38 to tell her the struts were bad. It prolly took them 2 seconds to "diagnose" that and I doubt they put it on a lift even. They also charged her $20 for a tire rotation when she was having her brake pads replaced UNDER WARRANTY. Wow.