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Installing coil spring spacers on a Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by softdown, Jun 18, 2020.

  1. softdown

    softdown Junior Member

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    Blanca, CO, USA
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    2012 Prius
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    N/A
    Finally got my 30mm (1 1/4") coil spring spacers. The front looks kind of tough because two of the top bolts are hidden away and sandwiched with ~1" of operating room. There is no youtube video covering it.

    I know folks have done it. Has anyone here done it?
     
    #1 softdown, Jun 18, 2020
  2. Vman455

    Vman455 Senior Member

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    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    1. Remove the windshield wiper arms
    2. Remove the plastic cowl
    3. Remove the wiper motor assembly
    4. Remove the metal pan

    Then you'll have full access to the strut mount bolts. First half of this video:
     
    #2 Vman455, Jun 18, 2020
  3. normythebear

    normythebear New Member

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    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    I've lifted my Prius by 30mm and replaced springs and shocks at the same time. How can I help?
     
    #3 normythebear, Jun 18, 2020
  4. softdown

    softdown Junior Member

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    I've replaced shocks a bunch of times and never found a real difference. Other than a firmer, crisper ride from Monroe Load-matic shocks that have springs to increase the load capacity of trucks. Guess I just like to replace shocks.

    Do they have rear shocks that increase Prius load capacity? Mine sags a little bit when towing a teardrop camper.

    Vman said to do this:
    1. Remove the windshield wiper arms
    2. Remove the plastic cowl
    3. Remove the wiper motor assembly
    4. Remove the metal pan

    Sound right?
     
    #4 softdown, Jun 19, 2020
  5. normythebear

    normythebear New Member

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    I'm not sure about increased load capacity. I just went with the best KYB shocks I could find that fit it. Regarding the front, yeah, exactly that. Once the metal pan is removed, you'll see the shock and nut probably covered by a dust cap. May the Lord have mercy on your soul if the nut is stuck on the shock rod. Because then you'll have an evening of angle grinders and cursing the day you were born.
     
    #5 normythebear, Jun 23, 2020
  6. softdown

    softdown Junior Member

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    The linked video shows this is a real chore. Think I will wait a year and do struts, spacers and spark plugs all at once. Having bought a used car, I don't know how many miles are on the spark plugs.

    How long do the front struts usually last anyway? Mine still handles great.
     
    #6 softdown, Jun 24, 2020
  7. Vman455

    Vman455 Senior Member

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    It's not that bad once you start tearing into it, maybe half an hour at most to get the wipers, motor, and pan out if you go slowly.
     
    #7 Vman455, Jun 24, 2020
  8. normythebear

    normythebear New Member

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    Five
    Yeah, the design is kind of annoying if you're used to working on large engine bays. You'll ask yourself why it is necessary to remove the wipers to get to the suspension. The thing is that this project can be relatively easy or extremely difficult, and it is up to fate to decide how hard it will be.
    As Vman455 said, getting the wipers, motor, and pan out is straightforward. I live in areas with heavily salted roads, which makes everything a little bit more difficult due to corrosion. I had about 170k miles on my suspension when I replaced them. They seemed perfectly fine. I figured that since I had to remove it all to add the spacers, that I should just replace the struts at the same time to save me from doing it again when they finally wore out.
     
    #8 normythebear, Jun 24, 2020
  9. softdown

    softdown Junior Member

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    I got almost an inch with the bigger tires I put on this morning. With hundreds of projects to choose from, this strut and spacer and plug change will likely be - next years project.

    The suspension and plugs are working great right now. Though I did order an oil catch can as recommended.
     
    #9 softdown, Jun 24, 2020
  10. JC Bonilla

    JC Bonilla New Member

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    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    Did you have to get an alignment?
    Where can I buy the spacers?
    Thanks
     
    #10 JC Bonilla, Feb 1, 2021
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