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Remove and replace suspension

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Priusfromevil, Jul 30, 2012.

  1. Priusfromevil

    Priusfromevil Junior Member

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    I've searched and to my surprise haven't seen a thread describing the ease (or headache) of replacing front and rear suspension for the 2nd Gen Prius. I've replaced suspensions on BMWs, Audis, Fords, etc so I'm attempting to tackle this myself.
    I've found the parts online and am wondering if this is something I could accomplish in an afternoon? I do not want to take to the dealer due to $$$$.
    Any tips?
    thanks!
    Jeremy
     
    #1 Priusfromevil, Jul 30, 2012
  2. Priusfromevil

    Priusfromevil Junior Member

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    More specifically I picked up the rear suspension is difficult to replace due to proximity to battery? Confirm or deny?
     
    #2 Priusfromevil, Jul 30, 2012
  3. Priusfromevil

    Priusfromevil Junior Member

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    #3 Priusfromevil, Jul 30, 2012
  4. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    The HV battery does not really hamper changing rear shocks/springs, it's more a matter of removing trim panels to get to the top mounting nuts.

    Try looking up posts on lowering Prius suspension of witch there have been several of late.
     
    #4 Britprius, Jul 30, 2012
  5. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    #5 Patrick Wong, Jul 30, 2012
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  6. Priusfromevil

    Priusfromevil Junior Member

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    Great info here on suspension. Question: For $88 you can replace the existing springs while replacing stock suspension components with replacement parts. Is this worth it? I've read others say the stock springs sag after time. Should springs be replaced with struts, strut mounts, etc?
     
    #6 Priusfromevil, Dec 3, 2012
  7. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    If your car has logged more than 200K miles or if you see that one side of the car is obviously much lower than the other when unloaded, it might be worthwhile to replace the springs.
     
    #7 Patrick Wong, Dec 3, 2012
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  8. Priusfromevil

    Priusfromevil Junior Member

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    Here we are four years later, and it's time to replace the suspension again! Wanted to keep this in the same thread for continuity.
    Kansas City forces a bit more articulation of the suspension opposed to South Florida, so I got 4 years (80k miles) on the last R&R compared to 6 years (80k miles) from when it was all original.

    Ordering again from same place (Toyota Parts - Genuine Accessories | AutoNation Toyota Gulf Freeway Parts). The list of parts I replaced at ~80k miles, with current pricing as of today:
    • FRONT: strut assembly R & L : $188.71
    • FRONT: strut mount (bearing) R & L: $146.78
    • FRONT: lower insulator (lower rubber ring) R & L: $24.20
    • FRONT: upper insulator R & L: $35.58
    • REAR: shock absorber R & L: $94.52
    • REAR: upper insulator (rubber ring) R & L: $22.00
    Total current parts: $511.79

    I will use this as my base list of parts for upcoming remove & replace, doing the work again by myself. Couple questions though:

    1. It was mentioned in this post that unless there is an issue with sagging, you could retain stock springs. Same case with a car with 160k miles?
    2. Still on stock ball joints, should I replace these at this time?
    3. Are there any additional bits (bump stops, etc) that should be replaced at this time?
    I'm driving this thing until the wheels fall off, so want to do it right for the next 80k miles. Thoughts from those that have high mileage and have done this job at least once before?

    Thanks!
     
    #8 Priusfromevil, Nov 24, 2016
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  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    I'm curious about your setup. Do you just put it up on safety stands, go at it. What kind of tools do you have, air tools, or? How involved, how long does it take you? Anything problematic?

    Never done anything like this, more complacent I guess. But sounds interesting. Do you notice a big improvement, feels like new after?
     
    #9 Mendel Leisk, Nov 24, 2016
  10. Priusfromevil

    Priusfromevil Junior Member

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    I did the first R&R in my garage, with basic tools, manual spring compressor, jack stands, etc. It takes a while (~8 hrs), if you review the thread links above (from Patrick Wong) you'll see it's time consuming due to removal of the interior bits for the rear. Just about everything was out when I did it the first time.
    I see you have a 2010? Bit different I would imagine on that car, but would be surprised if you couldn't do it yourself.
     
    #10 Priusfromevil, Nov 24, 2016
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  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Yeah, we've only got 64,000 kms, and I'm that guy that goes dead slow over speed bumps, lol. But interesting to know. We might be keeping this car for the long haul. Thank you.

    (Patrick Wong's post bookmarked)
     
    #11 Mendel Leisk, Nov 24, 2016
    Last edited: Nov 24, 2016
  12. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    On the gen3 if you undo the top nut on the rear shock absorbers then jack the car up on both sides the springs can be removed without any more work. Removing the bottom bolt from the shock absorbers allows you to remove those.
    The gen2 springs are mounted on the shocks while the gen3 the springs are separate, and inboard of the shocks.

    John
     
    #12 Britprius, Nov 24, 2016
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  13. jessiejosco

    jessiejosco Member

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    I just did the front struts on my 06. I was chasing down a clunking noise that I thought was the strut. I looked at it and a mechanic looked at it and we both thought it was the strut. I figured they have 110 000 miles on them so they were probably tired anyway. It was a bit of a waste of time an money because the original struts seemed fine, and the noise turned out to be a bad aftermarket control arm. Stick to OEM control arms.
    Are you having any symptoms?
    I found that the upper strut mount and bushings were still in excellent condition so you may not need those.
    It is probably a good idea to replace the rubber isolators but I didn't and the originals seemed to be ok.
    If you live in a rust area you might want to get new upper spring cups. Mine were pretty rusty but I just rustproofed them
    You should replace the strut bellows because they tear as they get older
    I used KYB struts. They are far cheaper and they are who make them for Toyota. It seems to me the Toyota ones even have KYB stamped into them.

    So my experience was the original parts are pretty durable, and only replace if you are having a problem. The job is pretty straigtforward, except for having to take the wipers and cowl off the get at the mount bolts. I think you might be able to do it with the cowl on, but I decided it would take less time overall to just take the cowl off. This also allows you to clean the leaves and crud out of the cowl drains.
     
    #13 jessiejosco, Nov 24, 2016
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  14. skeenan1343

    skeenan1343 New Member

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    Hey Priusfromevil,

    Not sure if this violates any rules in the forum....BUT, I live in Kansas City and need to replace my front suspension. Would you be able to help me? I could pay you for your time. My driver's side suspension sounds loose, or like a pinball machine. I think it could be the sway bar, LCR, or struts. I have seen a whole host of Patrick's posts (all of which are phenomenal) but I am a little hesitant to replace struts, deal with the sway bar, etc.
     
    #14 skeenan1343, Feb 19, 2020
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