For a 2008 Toyota Prius Spending way too much time looking online and not finding right set. I would like entire quick strut assembly. Anyone have an actual link I just click and pay. Heard KYB is the best (????) but on every other make/model comes as an entire set: bolt on // bolt off. But for some ridiculous reason they don't have strut assembly for toyota prius...You have to buy each individual component. Please link all correct parts that you recommend. Just got off phone with dealership when he added all the parts I need to build strut assembly it was over $500. I can buy cheap crap online for $100 for the set but really trying to get something of a higher quality.
I bought a set from complete struts and installed it about a month ago. They're cheap Chinese quick struts but have been holding up well for me on Houston roads. Not sure how long they'll last but it's an option SM-N950U ?
Someone help me out, based on hours spent searching here is what I have so far.... 1) Front Left KYB $59.13: 2) Front Right KYB $56.13: 3) Coil Spring Insulators (2 @ $21.96 each): 4) Shock Absorber (2 @ $22.95 each): 5) Toyota 48158-47010 Coil Spring Insulator (2 @ $16.04): Grand total $244.08. Does this setup look complete and decent?
Those do look good. That being said, I did the same as Coolio and just bought the cheap Chinese full strut/ spring assembly from Rock Auto. 2 years and 47,000 miles later it's all still working well! The full assembly is a big time saver. I knocked those front ones out in no time, and ended up spending much more time on the rear struts. At that time, I was unable to find a full rear strut assembly. They are available now, however.
How much longer does it make job to assemble? Can't be that bad? 10 minutes extra? I am serious and would like to know as I have no idea.
Well if you're an amateur like me, than it could easily add a couple of hours or more for all 4 struts. If you do decide to do the individual pieces instead of the full assembly you will save time by using a grease pencil to park the position of the top piece (looks like a top hat) and the orientation of the coil spring. I didn't know that this was necessary and it caused me to spend 3-4 hours just to do the rear struts. This was because the OEM rear strut does not twist, and you have to get the "top hat" in just the correct orientation so that the lower hole will fit into the stud. I ended up taking that coil spring assembly apart probably 10 times to get it right, but again I'm very much an amateur.
Here a pic of an OEM strut. You have to put a coil spring compressor on to compress the spring so that you can remove the top nut. As long as you mark the positioning of everything it shouldn't be too bad, but if you don't you will be hating life. I strongly recommend buying the full strut assembly and saving the headache if you don't have experience.
