# Can I install rear struts in a 2005 Corolla? (I have no special tools.) At what mileage?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-install-rear-struts-in-a-2005-corolla-i-have-no-special-tools-at-what-mileage/68592>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** corolla, toyota\
**Created:** [October 13, 2011, 12:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-install-rear-struts-in-a-2005-corolla-i-have-no-special-tools-at-what-mileage/68592 "2011-10-13T12:35:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Robert-Gift](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/robert-gift/32/356_2.png) [@Robert-Gift](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Robert-Gift)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 12:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-install-rear-struts-in-a-2005-corolla-i-have-no-special-tools-at-what-mileage/68592/1 "2011-10-13T12:35:13Z")

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After hearing a small clunk when going over a bump, wife was told by an auto repair shop that our gently-driven 60,000 miles Corolla needs new struts.  
I say no.  
What sayou?

Thank you.

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**Author:** ![mleich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71c47a/32.png) [@mleich](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mleich)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 12:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-install-rear-struts-in-a-2005-corolla-i-have-no-special-tools-at-what-mileage/68592/2 "2011-10-13T12:42:53Z")

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“Wife was told”—by whom?

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**Author:** ![Robert-Gift](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/robert-gift/32/356_2.png) [@Robert-Gift](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Robert-Gift)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 12:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-install-rear-struts-in-a-2005-corolla-i-have-no-special-tools-at-what-mileage/68592/3 "2011-10-13T12:43:47Z")

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An auto repair shop. I do not know them.  
(I’ll improve my post.)  
Thanks.

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**Author:** ![SteveF](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/stevef/32/2_2.png) [@SteveF](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveF)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 1:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-install-rear-struts-in-a-2005-corolla-i-have-no-special-tools-at-what-mileage/68592/4 "2011-10-13T13:02:51Z")

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Hearing a single clunk is not cause enough to write off your current struts. And 60,000 miles is too soon to suspect strut failure. I advise you to disregard the mechanic’s light-hearted quip. Keep on merrily driving unless you can provide other symptoms of strut malfunction.

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**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 1:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-install-rear-struts-in-a-2005-corolla-i-have-no-special-tools-at-what-mileage/68592/5 "2011-10-13T13:30:08Z")

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Clunks more often come from worn bushings, not struts, so you should get a second opinion if the clunking persists.