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Is this strut blown?

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by taxibuddy, Aug 27, 2023.

  1. taxibuddy

    taxibuddy Member

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    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
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    Two
    I'm hearing and feeling a fair amount of rattling when I hit bumps, e.g. potholes, at moderate speed. I think it's gotten worse over time. I believe the sound is coming form the passenger side. I pulled the front wheels off and took these pictures this morning. I pulled the boots out of the way to make the pictures. The boots are shredded of course but the car has about 217,000 miles with the first 156,000 as NYC taxi. I've owned it 5 1/2 years.

    I don't have any experience with suspension components. Do these struts look ok?

    Suspected bad strut (passenger side)
    IMG_0449.JPG
    Driver side
    IMG_0447.JPG
     
    #1 taxibuddy, Aug 27, 2023
  2. Kenny94945

    Kenny94945 Active Member

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    That strut has minor oil at the shock body cap.
    If that is the only oil, I would say it is okay.....BUT
    217K miles, it is time for shock/ strut replacement.

    As for your description of a rattle, I would be inclined to say your shocks are not the issue, unless the mounting bushings have failed.
    Additionally, in regard to shocks, there should be a large rubber grommet (bump joust) on the shaft at the top of the strut; if that failed I would expect a complaint of clunk rather than rattle.

    Good hunting.
     
    #2 Kenny94945, Aug 27, 2023
  3. taxibuddy

    taxibuddy Member

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    Thanks, here is a picture of each bumper.

    Driver
    IMG_0404.JPG

    Passenger
    IMG_0451.JPG
     

    Attached Files:

    #3 taxibuddy, Aug 27, 2023
  4. taxibuddy

    taxibuddy Member

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    Also, is this the correct appearance for this component? Both sides look the same in this case.

    IMG_0453.jpg
     
    #4 taxibuddy, Aug 27, 2023
  5. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    I would say probably a good time to replace the struts and that lower control arm bushing. (I would get a polyurethane bushing replacement). The bump stop looks good/still intact, meaning the strut isn’t worn out (yet). They can disintegrate, presumably from the top of the strut body impacting them. I have seen that…
     
    #5 jzchen, Aug 27, 2023
    taxibuddy likes this.
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