Toyota Camry: '98 Camry Bottoming Out

My '98 Camry seems to be getting a bit soft in the back end (an affliction I
seem to be suffering from as well.). What's happening is that I've noticed
that it seems to be bottoming out more often when going across driveway
gutters and such that are somewhat low. This usually results in a scraping
underneath in the rear. The car seems to be more vulnerable to speedbumps
too, which allow the car to "bang" somewhere in the mid-frame. When I do a
bounce check on the rear, the shocks seem to behave normally, although I
hear a clicking/clunking sound at the top of the spring mount on both sides.

Is it common for the springs and/or struts to soften after several years in
this model? I realize the struts may need to be replaced after 5 years, but
if there is any realistic chance that the springs need to go as well, I
would like to have some idea going in. The car has not been driven hard nor
have heavy loads been carried in the trunk routinely. The problem has not
come about suddenly, but rather, over the last year or two. Any help would
be appreciated.

- Magnusfarce

New struts will help greatly. The 6 cyl springs are supposedly stiffer than
the 4 cyl - might find them in junk yard or from someone that has swapped
out for preformance (lowered) springs.

"Magnusfarce" <net> wrote in message
news:ce_Hb.10686$news.pas.earthlink.net... 
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