QuestionI HAVE A 98 TOYOTA CAMRY. I'M GOING TO CHANGE
THE REAR STRUTS. BETWEEN THE BACK WINDOW AND SEAT
THERE'S A SHELF WITH A COVERING WHICH THE TOP STRUT BOLTS ARE CONNECTED. HOW DOES IT COME OFF. I HEAR A CLUNKING SOUND DOES SOME PLATE NEED CHANGED TO AND WHY? THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.
AnswerThe upper strut brackets are the cause of the noise, if the struts are not leaking or weak you may not need to replace them.
To access the top mounting muts remove the lower seat cushion by pulling it out of the fasteners, one on each side, this may take some effort but it will pop out and then remove the seat from the car, remove the seat back ends, remove the 12mm bolt at the bottom and push the seat back end up, it will come out.
Fold the rear seat backs down, remove the cover to the trunk and you can see the fastening nuts, there is not much room, an offset 14mm wrench works well.
