First Real repair at 78500 miles--Struts

[efusco]

"That left strut's all blowed up...there's oil and stuff all over the place."

In another thread I reported that I've had a front end rattle for a couple of weeks. From that thread it seemed likely that it was a strut.

Toyota Service couldn't work me in today and I'm busy all week. So I went to the local Goodyear shop near my house that I've used for tire repairs in the past.

As usual there they go to me immediately...the head honcho took the Prius out for a quick drive, threw it up on the rack and came back with the above report.

The local parts place couldn't get the struts and mounts, the Toyota dept. can't get them until tomorrow and charges about $10/part more (total $40 more)....

Struts $198 x2
Mounts $98 x2
Alignment $54 <--They said this wasn't essential, but I haven't had one for a while
Labor $285
Tax ~$45
Grand Total $1014

I just thought this project would be more than I could do at home...would think one would need a lift, or at least some decently tall jack stands....so I pay for this one. Sucks b/c its the first real repair (I'm not really counting the MFD replacement, though probably I should).

I'll update on Thursday night after I get the car back.

[galaxee]

good call on the alignment, you definitely want that if you're replacing struts.

compressed springs are dangerous to deal with. if you're not sure, this is something you'd rather have someone else do for the safety factor anyway. you'd lose a lot more than ~$350 (tax, all labor) claiming on your short term disability insurance over going to work if something went south.

suspension parts are wear items though- so technically you're still in maintenance territory imo.

[efusco]

Originally Posted by galaxee

suspension parts are wear items though- so technically you're still in maintenance territory imo.

Ok, I'll buy that.

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by efusco

...I just thought this project would be more than I could do at home...would think one would need a lift, or at least some decently tall jack stands....so I pay for this one...

Hi Evan,

Yes, you would need a couple of jackstands and a spring compressor, plus a socket of the appropriate size to loosen the two large bolts holding the bottom of the front struts to the steering knuckle. Since you've decided this work is out of your comfort zone, the price seems reasonable.

Note that spring compression is not a big deal; I bought a spring compressor tool from Sears for $55 which works quite well and has safety pins to prevent the tool from slipping off the coil spring.
Craftsman Strut Spring Compressor Tool with Built-In Safety Pins - Model 90500 at Sears.com

If in the future you decide to try your hand at this job, you definitely will want a tool with the safety pins. I've used that tool to replace six struts/shocks so far: all four on my 2001 and the rear two on the 2004.

I remain unconvinced that routinely replacing the top mounts is required, since they are quite rugged in construction. I suggest you ask the mechanic to save the old mounts so that you can see whether any play exists or not.

BTW, Champion Toyota in Houston sells the front struts for $99 each while the strut mounts go for $62 each (plus shipping).
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...=3&catalogid=1
Another reason to DIY.

[JimboK]

Planning for the future here, just in case ....

It's been many years since I've had struts replaced on a car. Based on my (admittedly fuzzy) recollection of their cost, this seems pretty pricey. Forgetting the alignment and the mounts for a minute, that still leaves ~$800. Several questions:

1. Is the labor component pretty consistent with most FWD cars nowadays?
2. If not, is there something about the Prius that makes them tougher to install than in a conventional car?
3. Do any of the aftermarket shock/strut manufacturers make one for the Prius?
4. If so, how's their quality?

[ny biker]

I pay $900ish to replace the struts on my Camry a few years back. They said it was labor intensive. A friend who had replaced the struts on his jeep (did the work himself) agreed with that assessment.

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by JimboK

... Several questions:

1. Is the labor component pretty consistent with most FWD cars nowadays?
2. If not, is there something about the Prius that makes them tougher to install than in a conventional car?
3. Do any of the aftermarket shock/strut manufacturers make one for the Prius?
4. If so, how's their quality?

1. Yes, except that you have to remove the cowl when doing the front; and remove much of the hatch trim when doing the rear. As a DIYer, it takes me around 3 hours to do either front or back, given the lack of learning curve efficiencies.
2. N/A
3. KYB, which also makes the Toyota-brand struts/shocks
4. I haven't tried the KYB-brand yet.

[richard schumacher]

Evan, would you say that the originals saw normal use? Were there any severe shocks?

[galaxee]

Originally Posted by Patrick Wong

Note that spring compression is not a big deal; I bought a spring compressor tool from Sears for $55 which works quite well and has safety pins to prevent the tool from slipping off the coil spring.

just be careful with those, they can warp springs if you're not.
DH has one similar to this, but made by snap-on: OTC 6494 - Clamshell Strut Spring Compressor much safer to use and less likely to cause damage or injury.

compressed springs, when released unexpectedly, can punch a hole in a cinder block wall. DH saw someone do it in his early days as a mechanic.

I remain unconvinced that routinely replacing the top mounts is required, since they are quite rugged in construction. I suggest you ask the mechanic to save the old mounts so that you can see whether any play exists or not.

they're not that rugged. worn strut mounts make suspension noise. annoying suspension noise. since he's already having the entire assy torn down and the labor to replace it is basically free, not installing new strut mounts amounts to asking for the same labor bill to replace different parts later.

this is the same thing DH has always said, will always say, and has done to our own cars, based on what he's seen. especially front mounts.

1. Is the labor component pretty consistent with most FWD cars nowadays?
2. If not, is there something about the Prius that makes them tougher to install than in a conventional car?
3. Do any of the aftermarket shock/strut manufacturers make one for the Prius?
4. If so, how's their quality?

1. the shop that E is going to is getting more for labor than DH's old shop, but this is understandable. it's pretty standard for there to be an "easy job" rate and a "tough job" rate. sounds like DH was getting paid the easy job rate, where the shop E is going to charges the tough job rate. the tough job rate is justified in comparison to other cars.
2. the wiper cowling is in the way- that's not typical. most of the time the mount bolts are out in the open, real easy to get to. if you've got a ratcheting wrench and know what you're doing, you can do it without pulling the cowling, but it's a similar pita with that.
3. kyb manufactures most of toyota's oem struts and makes an a/m for the prius.
4. the oem struts that are made for toyota are made to different specs than kyb's a/m parts. don't know of anyone who's gone with the a/m part. we had kyb a/m struts on our old camry and they did not last long. they were fine while they lasted.

[efusco]

Originally Posted by richard schumacher

Evan, would you say that the originals saw normal use? Were there any severe shocks?

I'd say pretty normal use. I have used somewhat higher than usual tire pressures and have passingly wondered if the BT Strut brace could possibly be a factor.

I'm sure I've hit a curb or two hard at times and I take some corners pretty hard. That said, I don't recall any bumps/strikes of great significance that would be responsible for damaging the strut....but then I don't really know what it takes to do so.