Hi All, I just brought my 2006 Prius in for a yearly inspection. They told me that the rear spring is cracked and I should also do the struts and total 4 wheel alignment. Total price without tax, $741.00 Needless to say, I'm taking it somewhere else. The new price quote is $140 per strut with spring and $80 labor each, totaling $440 plus tax. That's still a lot but better then $741.00 My 2006 has 143,000 miles. Guess it was time
I'm getting a second opinion this coming Saturday. So the coil spring is part of the rear strut assembly, right?
Actually, no. The rear has separate shocks and springs. The front uses "MacPherson Struts" (or something like them) which is a unit that includes the damper (shock) and the spring in one unit. The rear has a more conventional spring and separate shock. The strut (with the spring) comes out as one unit and then the spring can be separated, the springs & shocks don't necessarily. A broken spring should be easy to see. Have the mechanic point it out to you if you're skeptical.
Not so unusual in the rust belt. Often there's an uncoated spot where the hanger contacted the spring during coating. It starts there and propagates with repeated stresses. I've had broken springs this way in a BMW and a Subaru, around 9 years in.
As I recall, from my first Strength of Materials Course, taken as a Freshman, 47 years ago, The failue of a high stressed hardened spring begins with the fracture of the first molecular layer.
I've replaced broken rear springs twice, both on 2005 Prius. One had 125,000 miles, the other 160,000 miles. In each case, the lower most turn of the spring had broken off about 1.5" from the end. The springs are changed as a pair - you can see in the picture below the lower most half turn broken off of one spring.
Ditto. At approx 150,000mi my 2005 had the same problem but the issue was both springs. Replaced the shocks/springs on both sides. An alternative move would be to get the OEM parts online and have them installed either at the dealership or a trusted mechanic if not doing it yourself.
Exact same broken spring location on my 2005 Prius. Has 184,00 miles on it. Need a manual to show how to get to top of shocks for removal. Any suggestions?
Its called search. Type "rear shock replacement." Consider a temporary subscription to Toyota's TIS (Technical Information System). You will have access to factory manuals and wiring diagrams.
I had a broken rear coil spring on my 2005 at 110k. It was just the very end of the spring so the car wasn't sagging. Discovered while having tires installed. I replaced both springs and shocks while I was at it.
