Time to replace struts?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Tretor, Sep 18, 2023.

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  1. Tretor

    Tretor Junior Member

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    Hi all,

    When putting on new snow tyres back in March I found one of the rear springs broken. Changed the rear struts, but I did notice the front struts are kind of rusty too.

    The car has nearly 200,000 miles on it and I've driven it the last 45,000 or so. The ride is fine as far as I'm concerned, but I didn't notice the broken rear spring so maybe my judgement isn't the best.

    Can I keep driving or should I replace the front struts too? Should I be worried the front springs might break like it did on the rear? I guess I wouldn't like that to happen while on the highway?
     

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    #1 Tretor, Sep 18, 2023
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    do you have a lot of road salt?

    is the tire wear uneven?
     
    #2 bisco, Sep 18, 2023
  3. theory816

    theory816 Junior Member

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    Wow that's pretty bad rusting.

    Personally I wouldn't replace it unless the ride is harsh and being directly affected by the bad struts.
     
    #3 theory816, Sep 18, 2023
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  4. Tretor

    Tretor Junior Member

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    No uneven tyre wear, and I've been keeping tack of it so I would have noticed.

    Some road salt but not a lot. But the car is by now 18 years old with a lot of miles, and I suspect the front struts are original.

    But none of you would be worried about the springs breaking while driving? That's the only cause for me to change them since I'm not noticing any bad ride quality.
     
    #4 Tretor, Sep 19, 2023
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  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    idk how much effect a breaking spring would have while driving. maybe if you drive like you stole it?
     
    #5 bisco, Sep 19, 2023
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  6. Tretor

    Tretor Junior Member

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    Well say I'm doing 70 on the highway and an unexpected bump causes one of the front springs to fail, what could happen? Could the spring slash a tyre? Could the wheel well come into contact with the tyre? Is it plausible that a failing spring could cause an accident, basically?
     
    #6 Tretor, Sep 19, 2023
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    #7 bisco, Sep 19, 2023
  8. theory816

    theory816 Junior Member

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    a broken spring will affect handling but I wouldn't say it would cause you to hit something directly on a snap. Looking at that picture again I think you should replace all four since rusted springs will hold less tension. Not sure if its worth putting the money into a beater though.
     
    #8 theory816, Sep 19, 2023
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  9. Tretor

    Tretor Junior Member

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    Those types of search results are all I've found. Maybe that means that there is no danger unless you keep drivning after the spring is broken. Yeah I'll have to think about this one, got a quote for replacing the struts and its around 25 % of the car's value, and this is not the only issue with the car.
     
    #9 Tretor, Sep 20, 2023
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  10. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

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    It depends...

    A broken coil spring can go into a tire or wheel. I've seen it happen. Just not on a Toyota. Usually it was a Ford or Mazda.

    Also had a couple of Hondas break coils -but that had little effect beyond reducing ride height on that corner some.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #10 mr_guy_mann, Sep 20, 2023
  11. Tretor

    Tretor Junior Member

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    Yeah that's the risk I'm worried about. I haven't been able to find any information about how big the risk is though. Is it once in a blue moon, or an actual concern?
     
    #11 Tretor, Sep 21, 2023
  12. Tretor

    Tretor Junior Member

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    Changed the oil yesterday, got some more photos of the struts

    IMG_20230923_112219.jpg IMG_20230923_112159.jpg IMG_20230923_112134.jpg IMG_20230923_112120.jpg
     
    #12 Tretor, Sep 24, 2023
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    wow :cool:
     
    #13 bisco, Sep 24, 2023
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