Two problems related to strut failure have been reported for the 1998 Toyota Camry. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Recurrnet noise from front end since day one, especially going over rough pavement. Dealers serviced once for free, but noise continued. Now that warranty has expired, I am advised that the strut mounts have failed and ned to be replced. Replaced both front strut mounts at cost of $416. 58. Service adviser admits Toyota has had a problem with this but will not do anything about it. I believe this a potential safety problem that the manufacturer should repair for all owners of Camrys.
Noisy suspension front & rear. Roadway bumps cause the front suspension system to make a banging and bumping noise. The front struts had replacement mounts installed but did not eliminate the banging and bumping noise from the front struts. The rear struts bottom out with minor bumps in a roadway. The case is in arbitration with Toyota and Toyota is again to replace the front strut mounts with a newer 2nd generation replacement strut mount. Toyota is going to replace both rear struts with replacment struts. At this time the work has not been conducted so I do not know whether the 2nd generation strut mounts and replacement struts for the rear will elinimate the suspension noise. I've told Toyota I believe the strut system is badly designed and that the entire suspension system is weak. If Toyota's additional actions don't stop the bumping noise, the case goes back to arbitration with Toyota.