Rear Spring/Shock Replacement

I suggest that you start by obtaining repair manual info, from techinfo.toyota.com so that you can see the extent of the complete procedure and will have access to tightening torque data, etc. It is true that you have to remove the interior hatch trim so that you can gain access to the hardware securing the top of the shock mounts.

The difficulty is no worse than any other vehicle where the coil spring surrounds the shock. In brief, you will have to compress the coil spring to disassemble the shock. If this is something you haven't done before, be advised there is a significant safety issue. If the spring compressor tool slips off and flies away, you can suffer severe damage to property or your person (if you happen to be in the way.) So you would do well to obtain a quality tool that cannot slip off the spring.

 

You can also try All Data DIY

ALLDATAdiy.com :: Leading Source of Diagnostic and Repair Information

An entire year subscription is usually under $20, and they have the same information including TSB's

 

Hi Joseph,

If you haven't seen it already, you might want to check out BerkshirePrius' excellent thread on Touring suspension parts:

http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-main-forum/41925-touring-suspension-parts-research.html

To recap BerkshirePrius' research, here's a list of what suspension parts are different on a Touring Prius:

1. For the 2004 and 2005 Standard Prius, the following suspension parts are different on the Touring:

a. Front Stabilizer Bar
b. Front Struts
c. Front Springs
d. Rear Stabilizer Bar
e. Rear Shocks
f. Rear Springs

2. For the 2006, 2007, 2008 & 2009 Standard Prius, the Front Struts and Springs are the same as the Touring's, so the different Touring parts list is shorter:

a. Front Stabilizer Bar
b. Rear Stabilizer Bar
c. Rear Shocks
d. Rear Springs

BerkshirePrius' thread may also have some installation tips for you.

Good luck.

 

In the thread Tom referenced, I uploaded the Toyota Suspension pdf: http://priuschat.com/forums/attachm...g-suspension-parts-research-sp-suspension.pdf. I suggest you read, understand, and follow it during the process. It is very helpful!
I've include a few pic's of the extent of interior tear down necessary to access the strut bolts. It really is not that difficult, only a few bolts and several plastic clips. Just be patient and make sure your plastic is warm. (Interior plastics are more prone to cracking or breakage when cold.)
I agree with Patrick, make sure you have access to a good strut machine, not the 'mickey mouse' spring compressors that attach to the outside of the spring with threaded rods. You can rent or purchase a good machine, or have this part of the project done by a garage. Be safe, and have fun!

 

Hey that's what it's all about, sharing and helping each other on this wonderful Prius journey!

 

It's easy, remembering where the interior parts go is the fun part lol. And do yourself a favor go to a garage have them compress the springs usually 10 bucks per spring. Much much safer. If your adding lowering springs you probably won't need a compressor to put them back on, in the back at least.

 

Does anyone have the torque specs for the touring modification, I found some
, 2 22mm bottom front strut 113 ftlb, 1 19mm top bolt center strut bolt 52 ftlb, 1 17mm stabilizer 55ftlb, 1 12mm brake line 14ftlb, 5 21mm lug nuts 76 ftlb
Rear I only have 2 17mm bolts on the top strut 41 ftlb and I am uncertain of that one. Need the bolt torque for the traction bars and mounts too. Thanks. Jim

 

Yep thats the scariest diy thing you can do on a car imho. After I did my last swap over I found out that a few auto parts stores now offer spring replacement service. Forget how much but I would have paid it. The problem at least for me is each car manufacturer uses a specific spring compression tool that fits that car's spring rate that's very expensive so instead your forced to use a generic Sears or HFreight tool and it just doesn't fit perfectly on the spring hence the scary part.

Not sure if they sell the entire spring/strut assy already assembled for this car but that's the way I would go.

There's so much energy under the spring compression if the compressor fails its like a cannon. It will maim you. And your forced to intimately handle it to transfer it over to the new strut.

I'm not doing that ever again.

 

its a fun time consuming project due to the stuff you have to take out to get to the bolts. Otherwise its easy.

 

Done with the touring mod, it rides great, turns are way better, highway wondering is gone. I put new struts and springs on, both front and rear bars, the front bar needs a 22 mm bushing, I measured the bracket they are the same as the base. It's a very long project, is it worth it? Jury is still out, my wife will let me know in a week. The rear strut replacement would be good to do when service is needed on the big battery as it takes you nearly to the battery replacement point.

 

Does it have a softer ride over bumps or harsher ride please?

 

The front strut bar replacement I removed the rear 2 bolts on the front undercarriage, removed one side of the steering rod end, removed 4 bolts on the steering rack this leaves the steering rack floating with the steering knuckle put a jack under the front loosen the top front undercarriage bolts make sure a couple threads are engaged lower the undercarriage plate remove two brackets on the bar remove the bolts on the strutbar that attach to the struts and the bar, wife on one side me on the other push the undercarriage down bar drops out the back, same for reinstall.

 

Not much change in ride harshness if any, but the car handling is much better, can't figure why Toyota shorted us on this. The only thing I am short is the 16 inch wheels.

 

Thanks...I had heard the Touring is less harsh over bumps but better handling. That would be worth it. This little car hits bumps pretty hard if your 42-40 on tire pressure on LRR tires.

 

I compromised usually run 38-36

 

Ahhh...pump it up to 42-40 and then see if the ride is less harsh or hits hard. Cause better performance and softer ride is pretty cool.

 

update on this project, rear strut spring noises, troubleshooting finds monroe struts to be the culprit as monroe does not make the struts for the touring edition. I was sold the wrong parts!