Dealer says that I need to replace right rear strut. Noise generated when going over a rough road. The dealer cost is 700.00. This sounds high to me. I've changed struts on vw's before. Is it possible to replace the struts myself? the car is a 2005 avalon xls.

Micpherson strut or independent front. If its the MacPherson strut design of the car on your picture, then clunks on rough pot holed roads or rough dirt. Al's a weird one is a clunk may or may not be heard and /or felt upon first application of breaks. Sometimes noticeable that car travels straight then when brakes applied it suddenly pulls to right or left. If accompanied with a brake squeak then Its a wheel bearing. On independent front suspension all previous symptoms plus one. A ticking sound that is repetative or described as a clicking noise, very faint though. Usually only heard with windows rolled down and driving 20 to 30 mph with a concrete wall next to lane, which echo's the noise to driver but not when in open country, could also be symptoms of control arm bushings. Sway bar bushings only make noise on rough roads. Cabin bushings and all others can usually be visabily checked. If no cracks then its good if small hair line cracks, keep an eye on it, if large cracks and possibly with pieces missing, replace . if its a Chevy replace control arm bushing adjuster bolts. They get grooves wore in them defeating the reason your replacing the bushings as it will still have play, make noise. Etxc. Oh the other symptom is when road tilts to the right side being lower then left then vehicle pulls to right. But if road sloped the other way then pulls that way and usually no pull either way on level ground.. Some pull is natural but too much is bad. Hope it helps. What noise and when does it do it? Where and what are you doing as well as how fast and I could help narrow your possible problems.

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if the rear suspension components like ball joints are in good shape then this sounds like the rear struts are worn and need replacing,

Hello: Check the stablizer links on the front suspension, they have been a high failure rate item. The noise resembles loose lumber on the bed of a pickup truck.

You may have a bad strut mount, which mounts on top of the strut. Also check the stabilizer links and any rubber bushing.

Do not heat or bend any suspension parts. Big no-no. If it's all touching and out of whack, check for possible bent frame. Body-shop that did the past work might have overlooked the frame being bent. All measurements start with a straight frame.Then go after the individual hitch and sway bar.

Replace your struts.

It could possibly be a shock or strut bracket.

I have experienced the same rattle on a 2002 Bravada since about 50,000 miles. I have had tie rods replaced. Later, I had tires rotated at a tire/maintenance shop and they showed me a slight amount of movement in the ball joints. They wanted to change them. I took it to a dealership. They checked the ball joints and said some play is normal but didn't recommend changing them. I am wondering if the noise is in the struts. It occurs on a slightly rough roads and even backing out of a driveway when the shocks/struts are working rapidly.

the first thing i would check is the sway bar bushings they usualy go first. you have a bushing out somwhere. ive replace many struts because people have requested new struts and when we install them they come back and complain that the clunk is still there and all it needed was a bushing kit for $20
hope this helps