Anyone replace the front struts on a first gen Prius? Looked for videos and not sure the steps? Similar to a second gen?
Should be almost identical to a second generation depending upon what you're doing If you're not doing wheel bearings and all that then you'll just be undoing the two big top bolts on the hub and the three bolts up at the top on the strut tower removing any hosing or anything else that's attached to the strut and the strut bar or the end links there's a Allen key hex in the end link so you can put an Allen key in there use the box end wrench to undo the nut and then wind it off should take you 45 minutes aside to sling up new struts only It's a different story if you're doing wheel bearings at the same time obviously I try to do all that stuff on each side of the front end at one time wheel bearing lower ball joint strut end link if needed
Bought the strut assembly not just the struts, which means at least I should not need to try to compress the springs My 2001 Mustang, the struts are not in the springs so they were not hard but these look potentially easier Not trying to do the wheel bearings at the same time although would not be surprised if they should be done.
Then you are good to go You can do this with just combination wrenches practically maybe of course except for taking the wheel off but yeah there's no compressing of anything I always get the complete strut assembly for all of these things that I own anyway I have a spring compressor mounted on the wall here at the shop I haven't used it in 25 years usually we just get complete strut assemblies with springs that we can specify or not.
Am I going to need to remove the windshield wipers and shield or will I be able to work around them? From the video, it looks like I might be able to reach inside / under it. My guiding light is that if I don't have to take something apart, there is no sense in doing so. I know that I have seen videos where 2nd gen, you are suppose to remove the headlights to replace the bulbs but I can reach in and do it. I think some people also remove far more to do the spark plugs while I just moved the (relay/) box right over them and had enough room as well.
I'll leave everything in place to change a spark plugs except for the little fuse box the 10 mm screws and that's it no need for the wiper tray out If you want to be patient you might be able to undo the three nuts on top I take the tray out for this because when you put the strut up you need to have your other hand to put the three nuts on loosely to hold the strut be really hard to reach under that to do it but hey if you can more power to you this gives me a chance to clean out the tray get the garbage from the winter out all that anyway so no biggie some people might take this time to mouse proof that area who knows depends where you live unless you have real small hands or some real nice tooling you probably will need to remove the tray unless you have some of this very late model icon low profile quarter inch drive stuff I kind of doubt it.
Opened the hood and looked. I will have to remove the tray to get to the top of the struts. The video uses vice grips. Is that the best tool for the top bolt?
What top bolts vise grips absolutely not You're just taking three 12 or 14 mm nuts loose they're under the tray that center nut holds the top plate in the spring down Don't touch it unless I'm mistaken about what you're talking about turning with vise grips You don't need any vice grips for this job 12:14 10 mm etc can be all quarter inch drive till you get down to the big 19 mm nuts on the front hub.
I don't think use Allen wrench in stud wrench on nut no grips look at it man ..you will see. Or use grips of ya like that sort of thing
