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What is this rear suspension component part name / number?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by eluo, Oct 19, 2024.

  1. eluo

    eluo Member

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    Heard some clinking noise. Removed the rear left wheel and found this part broken. What is this part called? I tried searching for diagrams and came up short.

    20241019_150748.jpg
     
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Looks like the auto-leveling sensor, for starters. The elbows seize, and then something has to give.
     
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  3. eluo

    eluo Member

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    Thanks.

    Found this video that explains it more.


    I'll take it apart when I have time and see if I can make my own rod out off scrap metal.
     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Or some sort of splint. It's like a broken bone. put 2 or 3 slim metal rods across the break, as long as possible, wrap liberally with wire along the length, butter it all up with 2-part epoxy.

    Checking that the ball joints are free-moving should be in the maintenance schedule; grit and road salt kill these things. Easiest way to check, and distribute the grease, is unbolt one end, work the joints.
     
  5. pasadena_commut

    pasadena_commut Senior Member

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  6. eluo

    eluo Member

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    Great idea. I will take your repair advice when I get a chance to do the repair. Thank you! (y)

    No code. Just occasional clinking sounds in turns or bumps. Not even sure if the sound is from that broken rod.
     
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  7. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

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    It's a link for the headlight leveling sensor. The swivel joints are seized and ruined.

    Toyota sells the link only as part of the sensor. You can find just the link from the aftermarket.

    Or just remove the broken link and zip tie the sensor arm about at half travel and not worry about it.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  8. eluo

    eluo Member

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    Took off early to vote and used the extra time to tackle this broken link.
    The bottom joint had seized, and the rubber boot had ripped away. Thought about regreasing the joint but will probably seize again without any protection from the elements. I decided to go low tech. Here is my solution with a coat hanger wire. It will probably rust away in a few seasons. I'll keep an eye on this when ever I check my tire pressure, which is quite often with dead TPMS batteries.
    20241105_160315.jpg
     
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    The function is to keep the LED headlights aimed properly though.
     
  10. pasadena_commut

    pasadena_commut Senior Member

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    That coat hanger wire is not going to hold long. The bends will open up, change the spacing (before it eventually falls off), and if the spacing is wrong, the sensor is wrong, and the headlights won't do what they are supposed to. It may wear a groove into part of the other pieces before it fails. Not good.

    In this thread:

    Headlight level sensor 'tie rod' broken | PriusChat

    they refer to this part

    (go to Amazon, search for "Febest 0123-GRJ120-KIT LINK, HEIGHT CONTROL SENSOR, REPAIR KIT 48906-35010")

    which is a generic linkage that can be adjusted to 75 mm center to center. Here is the manufacturer's page:

    FEBEST - 0123-GRJ120-KIT - Link, height control sensor, repair kit

    which says that it fits 2004-2009 Prius.

    See that OEM part number? If you search with it other similar parts will be found. However, all the ones I saw were "never heard of that company" Chinese parts. From what I have seen online, Febest seems to be the German equivalent of Dorman, so not so great in quality either. That said, it is just some threaded metal, nuts and bushings, and it isn't doing anything tricky or handling much of a load, so it should be good enough. Just be sure to lube it once and a while.

    The real part is $57 at one of our nearby Toyota dealers:

    Height Control Sensor Link Sub-Assembly Rear #48906-35010 | Autoparts.toyota.com
     
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  11. eluo

    eluo Member

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  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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  13. eluo

    eluo Member

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    Thanks for the part number. Did a search and I found it for under $10 shipped from AliExpress. I appreciate all the help received here! :)
     
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