WARNING: Monroe Quick Struts ruined my Prius

Sometimes you just gotta follow your gut feeling and say "NO" to what you know is inferior. You got talked into something even you knew wasn't going to be good.

If you want to buy the OEM parts from online Toyota shops, like camelback toyota, it would cost under $400 for the front and rear struts combined. Talk with the shop and tell them you'll supply them with new parts, they would need to replace the crap they put in your car for FREE.

So maybe $400 will give you back your nice ride again

Edit: After seeing your video again, it may be other worn parts that's making the noise. Maybe some guys with more suspension experience can comment on this

 

KYB makes the oem struts, they also supply an aftermarket set for the front or rear, and IMHO the aftermarket is better than the oem, you also need to replace the upper parts for the struts and seals, then you need an alignment of you replace the font struts.

For example

KYB® - Strut-Plus™ Complete Strut Assembly

 

Based "just on your videos" you have other issues. The banging/knocking/whatever over bumps would point one towards bushings and/or isolation attach mounts/hardware.

 

Since you do not have a "trusted" independent shop, Toyota might be your wiser choice. At least they know the vehicle.

 

KYB shows a quick strut for the Prius front end in their catalog. I've had good luck with FCS quick struts in older Volvo and Dodge cars. I don't own those cars anymore, so I can't speak to long-term reliability with them.

 

Monroe’s are total crap but shouldn’t make the noise your hearing
Sounds to me like the top nut through the
Steering bearing was never tightened
So the shock is loose to the chassis and just clanking around
Take it back to these idiots and drive them around the block and show them
It’s going to be pretty obvious what’s loose
I was not able to find a KYB quivk strut
So bought all the OEM struts and had a shop
Swap the springs and install everything
As far as you doing anything if your not really good with tools and don’t have 3 tool boxes full of tools I wound not swap springs myself with out the SST Compression tool
It’s extremely dangerous and you need a big vice
The spring has to be completely compressed while you unbolt it and doing that with a sketchy universal compressor is stupid

Many auto parts stores now swap springs
You bring them the new strut and old strut
And they have a machine that does it
Then you just bolt it back on
It’s a shitload of work.

And then when your all done the car still rides like a stage coach lol

 

I did the struts myself with KYB and it took a little under 6 hours for a all 4 with a manual spring compressor i got from amazon... shops have machines for that that do a much better job at a much faster speed. I find it ridiculous that they wouldn't let you get the KYBS. KYBS are around 300 for the set of 4.. you can reuse the spring as they are just fine at 120k miles.. heck my 225k prius still uses the same springs from the day it was made with no issues.

 

Check out the following diagram, if you don't buy the complete unit you'll have to source items 6-10 plus your strut, assuming your spring is usable.

Genuine OEM Suspension Components Parts for 2006 Toyota Prius Base - Olathe Toyota Parts Center

 

When I did my front and rears I didn't see the complete units til after I sourced the individual items, this would have been the tits. Goes to show how long it's been since I did struts/shocks they didn't have complete units.

 

I'd buy the alternative top hat part as they cost much less and perform exactly the same as the oem:

I used this one and it cost 27 when i bought it at the time now it's 22.. after 40k miles still perfect. I reused all my parts for the rear mount.. as they were still in perfect condition except the strut itself. All you need is thetop heat, front rubber inserts parts, the 4 struts, reuse the springs.

My complete part list was as follows (i ordered the rear top rubber pieces but did not use since they were virtually new after 180k miles. ):

4815847010 front suspension, suspension components, lower insulator Left 1 $0.00 $10.78 $10.78
4815847010 front suspension, suspension components, lower insulator Right 1 $0.00 $10.78 $10.78
4815702070 front suspension, suspension components, upper insulator Left 1 $0.00 $16.48 $16.48
4815702070 front suspension, suspension components, upper insulator Right 1 $0.00 $16.48 $16.48
4825702040 rear suspension, suspension components, upper insulator Left 1 $0.00 $9.80 $9.80
4825702040 rear suspension, suspension components, upper insulator Right 1 $0.00 $9.80 $9.80

2 x

1 x

1 x

Enjoy!

They do have the complete ones for 140-160 each as well.. and they have a 100 off all 4 promo via kyb i believe atm till 4/30.

 

I like Olathe too. They actually called me once after an online order and said there was a mistake in the picture and part number and fixed it for me. They have my business.

No shop that I know of uses hand spring compressor anymore they all have machines. Too much liability with a hand compressor. Dangerous as hell.
The stored energy of a car spring fully compressed is like a canon if it busts loose.

its was like almost a $100 for the strut and the the boots and the bump cushion and the steering bearing. You must replace the steering bearing too. The entire weight of the front of the car sits on that bearing. It takes a beating. The difference in steering effort with a new bearing is very noticeable. Nice and easy to steer.

 

When I did mine I got the manual compressors from one of the parts places that loans them out. I agree that they are potentially dangerous, and appreciate your concerns. My take, you diy, just take it slowly, don't put your appendages and head in the way of possible flying parts it should be fine.

The bearing was the primary reason for replacement. Mine would require a little jerk to get from straight line to slight steering wheel movement. It was annoying, but could be dangerous under the wrong conditions.

 

Wait.. the bearing.. i've never changed mine at 215k miles.. and the steering wheel is a bit off.. got a part number? Would love to know it.

 

In my post #12, look at the diagram part 10, strut mount, p/n 48609-13010.

 

Isn't that just the strut top mount, does it effect steering at all?

 

That mount contains the bearing, there is a grease cover that goes over it that holds the nut an washer for the strut shaft. When you turn the steering wheel the bearing rotates and allows smooth steering motion.