2007 Prius - vibration at low speed

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by tampaite, Aug 8, 2016.

  1. tampaite

    tampaite Member

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    2007 Prius has Kumho Solus KR21(all four) tires installed 2 years ago - about 3 weeks ago had the tires rotated as well since they had about 5K on them.

    For the last 2 days, I've noticed that car feels bouncy and shakes on low speed and there is vibration(more than usual) below say 30-40 mph - once on highway, I don't notice any difference.

    I know tires are new and they are in good shape.

    Is it the wheel alignment? struts? CV axle? or Kauffman tires did a poor job at balancing the tires?
     
    #1 tampaite, Aug 8, 2016
    Last edited: Aug 8, 2016
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how many miles on her?
     
    #2 bisco, Aug 8, 2016
  3. tampaite

    tampaite Member

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    156k
     
    #3 tampaite, Aug 8, 2016
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    thanks, could be anything, i guess. try it with engine off, and also while in neutral. hard to believe it's the tyres after 3 weeks, unless the weights fell off.
     
    #4 bisco, Aug 8, 2016
  5. tampaite

    tampaite Member

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    You mean drive with engine off on a slope? what are we trying to rule out here?
     
    #5 tampaite, Aug 8, 2016
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    just thinking about engine and tranny vibration. you shouldn't need a slope, just get up to speed and glide, see if there's any change.
    how about when turning, any change in sound/vibration?
     
    #6 bisco, Aug 8, 2016
  7. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    I had the same tires on my 07 and loved them there were the quietest tire then really all of a sudden it seemed they wore out. Its a nice soft easy riding tire that wears out much faster than a LRR tire. Its an inexpensive tire but a great tire. If the treads are getting pretty low buy another set of the Kumho's.

    Last year I was talked into Goodyear Triple Tread assurance tires and they don't ride half as nice as the Kumho's. I regret buying them.
    My next tire is back to the Kumho's. I don't care about LRR.

    Also be aware the Prius wheel is easily bent. Its a very light small wheel. I had 2 bent wheels that took 2 tire shops to figure out.
    And lastly they under inflated the tires to door placard pressure which is very low. Fill them up yourself to 38 lbs and see how they feel.
    It will take the wallow out of it.
     
    #7 edthefox5, Aug 8, 2016
  8. tampaite

    tampaite Member

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    Took it to a local mechanic. He test drove and said the front struts have to be replaced. He didn't inspect the vehicle visually.

    Also recommended that I replace the back struts as well since they have to be replaced as a pair. True?

    Parts quote(Monroe Struts) = 360(front and back) so $90 each
    Labor = $360 for 4.8 hours
    Total = $720 + Tax

    He said alignment maybe needed but he can't do alignment as he doesn't have the appropriate equipment.

    The price seems reasonable compared to what others have paid.

    Two questions:
    1. do you physically have to remove the struts to inspect if it's gone bad or just by driving physically you can narrow down the problem?
    2. Is alignment necessary when you replace struts?
     
    #8 tampaite, Aug 9, 2016
  9. tampaite

    tampaite Member

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    I checked rockauto.com and below are the parts pricing.

    MONROE 72358 OESpectrum Strut Info - Front Left (1) = $56
    MONROE 72357 OESpectrum Strut Info - Front Right (1) = $56
    MONROE 72394 OESpectrum Strut Info - Rear (2) = $131

    Total = $243 and with 3 day express shipping, it comes up to $275

    Do I have the right part number? I suppose the Auto shop has a $85 difference when procured locally.
     
    #9 tampaite, Aug 9, 2016
  10. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    At 156K and still on the original struts I wouldn't bother putting struts in it. Apparently you are not too bothered by the horrible ride its giving you so why bother?
    At that mileage your looking at some pretty big maintenance items coming soon including the Hybrid battery and that's a $3800 deal if you do it right and put an oem battery in it. I wouldn't put that kind of money into a 10 year old 160K car.

    Drive it till the wheels fall off.

    PS: Monroe struts suck. Don't waste your money.
     
    #10 edthefox5, Aug 9, 2016
  11. andrewclaus

    andrewclaus Active Member

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    An oil leak at the base of the piston means a bad strut, but not all bad struts leak. A visual inspection (easier when jacked up, wheel off) can confirm a leak at least.

    I've only replaced struts once (not the Prius) and got an alignment afterwards. I did it carefully and the tech said nothing needed aligning. So if it's done right, you can probably get by without an alignment, but to me it's worth the cost to get it checked. I do that after any front end work, and every few years regardless.
     
    #11 andrewclaus, Aug 10, 2016
  12. tampaite

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    I actually went ahead and replaced all 4 struts today. Was able to price match the strut price to what rockauto.com was offering.

    After replacing the ride feels much better.

    Mechanic also showed me the rear tire which seemed to be out-of-shape tire - so the ride could have been bad because of the tire but also bad struts could have made the tire go out of shape as well. Not sure which one came first.

    I have a stepney on now so shopping for a solo tire.
     
    #12 tampaite, Aug 10, 2016
  13. xerox6135

    xerox6135 Member

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    Wow I had 140,000 on my struts when I replaced them didn't notice a big difference in the ride. So apparently I must not mind a bad ride myself .

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #13 xerox6135, Aug 12, 2016
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