Hi there. I tested out an 07 Prius today and when I broke hard there was a thump in the back of the car. I can't tell if this is the hybrid battery kicking in or a problem with the brakes or suspension. The thump felt different than other Prius' I've driven. Almost like it pushed the car forward slightly. It's also an unpleasant sound. The car's really good otherwise and the owner's gonna get the brakes checked. Any ideas on what it might be?
That would be my guess, like, some actual item thumping around in the storage box, or below with the spare tire. -Chap
Hi again, the guy took the car to firestone. Paper says that front brake pads need to be replaced. That I don't think I'll have a problem with that but it also suggests a front caliper replacement. The car does have 10 years and 140k miles on it so I think that's a good suggestion. I can't seem to find a DIY guide to that on here. Any help?
This is just for future inquiry. I'm going to get the car checked out to make sure that it's not just something moving around in the back.
The gen 2 prius has not one but two "secret" hidden hatch compartments. There could be something loose like the spare in either one causing a thump or the 12v battery, also in the back, is not bolted down properly.
There's not much back there. You take off the rear cover to the spare tire and you see much of everything there. Loose items can be 12v battery, hv battery, spare tire, and whatever else the owner has there
Having dropped the lockdown nut during my first battery replacement, I can certainly see someone not bothering to fish it out secure the battery. That was the most frustrating thing when the install was mostly done.
