The XV50 Camry is one of the friendlier cars for front struts. Three 14 mm nuts at the top of the tower and two 19 mm bolts into the steering knuckle are the whole fastener list, and with complete quick-strut assemblies you never touch a compressed spring. The only real fight is the pair of 19 mm knuckle bolts, which corrode into the bracket sleeves and are torqued around 156 ft-lb from the factory.
The 2.5 four-cylinder, the 3.5 V6 and the hybrid all share the same front suspension layout and the same fastener sizes, so the tools do not change engine to engine; only the strut part number does. The thing people get wrong is skipping the alignment, or torquing the knuckle bolts with the suspension hanging free and no support under the hub, which stresses the CV joint and can leave camber off. Support the knuckle with a jack, torque to spec, then get the front toe set.
| Item | Type | |
|---|---|---|
| Floor jack 2 ton minimum, low-profile helps Lift the front of the car and support the knuckle while removing the strut. | Required | shop |
| Jack stands 2 stands, 2 ton each Support the car at the front pinch-weld jack points while both wheels are off. | Safety | shop |
| Wheel chocks Pair Block the rear wheels before lifting the front. | Safety | shop |
| Lug nut socket 21 mm, 1/2 in drive, thin-wall/impact Remove the front wheels. | Required | shop |
| Breaker bar 1/2 in drive, 24 in Crack loose the lug nuts and the 19 mm strut-to-knuckle bolts. | Required | shop |
| Socket set 10, 12, 14, 19 mm 6-point, 3/8 and 1/2 in drive 14 mm for the three upper mount nuts, 19 mm for the knuckle bolts, 10/12 mm for the brake hose and ABS wire brackets. | Required | shop |
| Combination wrench 19 mm Hold the bolt head while turning the nut on the strut-to-knuckle bolts. | Required | shop |
| Ratchet 3/8 in drive with 6 in extension Reach the upper strut mount nuts in the engine bay. | Required | shop |
| Torque wrench 1/2 in drive, 30-250 ft-lb Set the knuckle bolts (~156 ft-lb) and lug nuts (76 ft-lb). | Required | shop |
| Torque wrench 3/8 in drive, 10-80 ft-lb Accurately set the three 14 mm upper mount nuts at 29 ft-lb. | Recommended | shop |
| Penetrating oil PB Blaster or equivalent Free the knuckle through-bolts, which often seize in the bushing sleeves. | Consumables | shop |
| Punch and hammer Long brass or steel drift, 2 lb hammer Drive the 19 mm knuckle bolts out if they are stuck in the strut bracket. | Recommended | shop |
| Pry bar 12-18 in Spread the knuckle slightly and lever the new strut into the bracket. | Recommended | shop |
| Bungee cord or wire Short, heavy duty Hang the knuckle/hub so the CV axle and brake hose are not stretched. | Recommended | shop |
| Hex key set 6 mm hex (with 17 mm or 19 mm wrench) Only needed if you reuse the old upper mount and must hold the strut rod while removing its nut. | Recommended | shop |
| Trim/panel removal tool Plastic pry set Pop the plastic cowl trim or engine bay covers if they block the upper mount nuts. | Recommended | shop |
| Front strut assemblies Complete quick-strut, XV50 specific; hybrid and V6 use their own part numbers The replacement units, sold with spring, mount and bearing installed. | Parts | shop |
| Anti-seize or thread lubricant Small tube Light coat on the knuckle bolt shanks so they come out next time. | Consumables | shop |
| Safety glasses Rust and penetrating oil fall from the strut tower area. | Safety | shop |
| Wheel alignment Front toe and camber check Removing the strut disturbs camber/toe; align after the job. | Consumables | shop |
Fastener sizes are identical on the 2.5 2AR-FE, 3.5 2GR-FE and the hybrid: 14 mm upper mount nuts, 19 mm strut-to-knuckle bolts, 21 mm lug nuts. Only the strut assemblies themselves differ by engine, trim (SE/SE Sport has firmer valving) and hybrid, so order by exact VIN or trim.
| Strut (shock absorber) to steering knuckle bolts/nuts, 19 mm | about 156 ft-lb (212 Nm); verify in the service manual |
| Upper strut mount nuts to body, 14 mm (3 per side) | 29 ft-lb (39 Nm) |
| Strut rod center nut (only if reusing mount) | verify in the service manual |
| Brake hose / ABS harness bracket bolt on strut | 约 14 ft-lb (19 Nm); verify in the service manual |
| Wheel lug nuts (21 mm) | 76 ft-lb (103 Nm) |
The 14 mm upper nuts, 19 mm knuckle bolts and 21 mm lug nuts are correct for the XV50 Camry across 2.5, 3.5 and hybrid; confirm the high knuckle-bolt torque and the brake bracket bolt figure in a 2012-2017 Camry service manual before final tightening.
No, if you buy complete strut assemblies (quick struts) that already include the spring, upper mount and bearing. You only need a spring compressor if you are reusing the old spring or mount on a bare strut cartridge.
Three 14 mm nuts hold the upper mount to the strut tower, and two 19 mm bolt/nut pairs hold the strut to the steering knuckle. Lug nuts are 21 mm.
Yes. Unbolting the strut from the knuckle changes camber and toe, so have a front alignment done afterward; expect $80-120 at most shops.
You can, but struts wear together and a single new unit on one side will give uneven ride height and handling. Replace them in pairs, and replace the rear shocks if they are original at high mileage.