Reluctantly forced to sell on

Hello all.

My Gen 1 is coming up to three years old now. Just over 91k on the clock. I have kept it serviced via a Toyota main dealer who does good servicing rates for 'older' cars.

However in the last month I have noticed a very loud roar from the rear, and suspect it is the wheel bearing. Ridiculously I got a quote from Toyota (UK) or £150 to plug into a diagnostic machine (is there a sensor on the wheel bearing?) and then £450 per wheel!! I am not paying that.

No problem I thought. I'd go elsewhere. After calling about six or seven other places not one of them will touch it, citing they can't get the parts, or they don't have the tooling. Various reasons. I asked about brakes and exhaust replacements. But no they would not entertain touching the car at all.

I got to thinking that any future work that needs doing on this car will cost me a small fortune at the dealers. There is no repair network in the UK for these Gen 1 cars. Even Prius specialists will not touch it.

Alas, I can't keep it with the fear that any repairs would cost more than the car is actually worth. I couldn't believe the wall of rejection I received from various outlets with regards to this car.

The UK does not like the Gen 1 Prius. A crying shame as I love it.

Do any other Gen 1 owners in the UK (or anywhere else) have this problem?

 

Thank you Vaughn.

I can get the parts in the UK (no problems) but nobody is willing to undertake the job (apart from main Toyota dealer) The main reason they give is lack of parts, so that makes no sense at all.

It's very frustrating.

 

You are right Brian in Tucson. I love the car, and this is the first problem in three years.

I have two more places to visit tomorrow, but one has already told me they don't think they have the correct tools.

Some places in the UK will not even put new tyres on a Gen 1 Prius. No idea what that is all about.

Would plugging a Gen 1 into a diagnosis machine bring up whether or not a wheel bearing was failing?

 

Thanks for the advice Brian.
I have now found a place that will tackle the job. I had to travel 45 miles outside of London only to be told the guy is on holiday. So a week's wait, but they will do the job and will firstly diagnose the problem. After all I am only assuming it's a bearing. I hope it is as the alternative doesn't bear thinking about.

 

Thanks for clarifying. That makes my Toyota dealer a liar. They wanted £150 to plug it in to check if it is a bearing problem or not. I told them to just drive it, but they said it needed plugging in. I shall be finding alternative service premises.

 

Thanks Vaughn. Now I have found a place that will entertain me, I'll certainly mention the ABS sensor.

Sod's law the 90 mile round trip today was as smooth as silk. No rumbling at all. .... when it runs like that it's a wonderful car to drive.

 

Thank you again. I am going to print this thread off and take it to the mechanics when I return next week.

Also whilst looking through the papers that came with the car, I found the following.

Prius - Technical Reference Guide
Toyota Prius 2001 Haynes Repair Manual
Toyota Prius Repair Manual Supplement

I shall be taking these with me and offering them to the mechanic (should he require any help) I hope he doesn't take offence, I may leave them on the passenger seat.

Thanks to everyone again. You have all been very helpful.

 

An update.

It was the wheel bearing that had gone. The rear right side. The place I found replaced the hub and the car is back to being a pleasure to drive again. He had a devil of a job getting the old hub off as it was unbelievably corroded (18 years worth) and he didn't want to damage the back plate, so he had to take his time. The car is running so smoothly now. I must have become accustomed to that roaring noise, as I had forgotten just how quiet it can be!

I also paid three times less than the amount Toyota wanted. So glad I started this thread. I was ready to get rid, but you guys made me realise it was not such a big job. So thank you all.

One last question. When I got the car back I noticed the battery had been disconnected as all my pre-set radio stations had gone. Is the battery disconnected as a matter of course, or maybe something to do with the ABS sensor being replaced?

Very happy to have my old car (and it is old) back in tip top working order.