Tire shop recommends replacing front struts

Yes swapping complete units is quite easy. They're are tutorials on you tube . The Prius is pretty much based on the Corolla very similar front struts and very similar rear You buy whole assemblies on like eBay or wherever it'd be nice to get KYB gas adjust complete units or maybe something from tokikco. You would be pushing it to have 350 bucks in parts and that's top of the line quite unnecessary actually but I'm just quoting the good stuff.

 

You don't have to pay attention to those sales guys, what they are trying to do is sell you additional services, besides the tires you already purchased. Unless there are specific reasons why you need the struts and shocks, I would just ignore their sales tactics. If you're not noticing it bottoming out, it probably isn't

 

I'd watch The Car Care Nut's video before doing anything.

 

How many miles do you have on the car?
Does it feel solid while driving? When you go over bumps, does it feel smooth or
does it feel hard?

Watch a few video's and purchase a few good tools. You can buy complete strut assemblies
from autozone and install them yourself...
Same with the rear shocks.

 

if you're satisfied with how it drives you don't reaally have to. the shock absorbers gradually get weaker so the ride gets rougher and bouncier but they still work way better than nothing to keep the springs from bouncing out of control. I just replaced all struts and shocks after 12 years from the model year and like 6 years after a shop said to get new struts (yea the bellows were all broken just like that), at 290k miles cause I started noticing issues with handling and oil on rear struts. and there is a significant improvement, smoother ride and bumps get smushed over like they're supposed to, no rebounding past the resting point.

you can buy the whole front strut with spring (quick strut) or you can rent a macpherson spring compressor from autozone for free; I think with that proper tool it is safe and easy to do, it has safety pins so the spring can't pop out of the hooks. just put one on either side and tighten by wrench alternating each side. you will also either want a replacement "coil spring insulator" which is integrated with the bellow, or you can use the replacement bellow that integrates with the bump stop, in combination with the remenants of the rubber coil spring insulator.

the question is what strut to get. you could get the nice cheap generic kits from ebay or autoshack but they could be junk who knows. monroe looks like a good value and is made in usa but from what i hear on the web monroe sucks and kyb is the best. kyb is the OEM and the most expensive. but I decided on that cause I didn't want to compromise if it has a direct immediate affect on ride quality.

rear struts are super easy to change once u get the interior out to access the top. u will need a hex key and "box" wrench to do the top nuts.

 

You need to replace the bearing also.
And by the time you add the cost up, it's more than getting an assembles strut.
It is a lot easier, faster, safer, and cleaner!
Plus, you have to do all the hard work!!!!

No sense in going cheap with struts and wheel bearings. Unless you just like replacing them
every 3-4000 miles..

 

I just did my struts. I couldn't afford kyb struts so I got TRQ. I figure 97% of the driving is on paved roads. And they have a lifetime warranty. I can update after a while if I notice anything

SM-N986U ?

 

Oh no! trq is crap! Decades ago they were good, no longer.
I hope they last longer than their hubs, about 3000 miles...

 

I guess I'll report back in 3000 miles. Haha

SM-N986U ?

 

I do hope they last longer for you. But after the experiences with the hubs,
front and rear, I'd never buy that brand again.