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Leaking rear strut/shock

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Kermit262, Aug 19, 2015.

  1. Kermit262

    Kermit262 Member

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    Picked up the OEM shocks from the dealer, $93.06 ($43.56 x 2) before taxes. Total time to replace both shocks was 44 minutes, including reinstalling the baby seat. :) My brother-in-law was all over it - I'm sure some other mechanics would take longer. We didn't have to remove the back seat, only flip it down. But the interior panels had to be removed. Now I'm all fast and furious again, and me and the Prius have made up. Thanks to all for your input.
     
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  2. peterjmc

    peterjmc Ping pong in Ding Dang...

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    Great update!
     
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  3. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    ;)...Still recommend replacing the front struts with same when money, time and beer allows...followed by alignment in about week or 100-200 miles.
     
  4. Kermit262

    Kermit262 Member

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    Frodoz - why replace the fronts? Because the rears were replaced? Or just for preventative maintenance purposes, independent of replacing the rears?
     
  5. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    As I pointed out earlier, shocks and struts wear over time...even Toyota (and other mfgs) call these wear items. You saved enough money already on labor alone to buy the struts...surely your Brother-in-law wouldn't mind another case of his favorite (or what ever). The thing with suspension is balance. Your rear is tight now, but your front is loose...relatively. You car, your call. Best wishes. ;)
     
  6. peterjmc

    peterjmc Ping pong in Ding Dang...

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    Without putting eyes on them and testing them myself, I would agree with a general recommendation to consider changing the front strut assemblies as well. 78,000 miles is quite a bit on the stock units. There are ways to "test" your suspension which I mentioned before by doing the bounce test. You could also have a mechanic do an inspection if you don't think you are fully qualified. It might cost you $75 or so for them to inspect them and give you a recommendation.

    On the other side (not replacing them), there are MANY people who go the lifetime of their ownership without changing them and their cars work just fine. How long they last is definitely "your mileage may vary" (YMMV) because everyones driving habits, number of miles logged, and surface roads traveled are different.
     
  7. cyclopathic

    cyclopathic Senior Member

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    It is much easier on 2012 up, no need to take plastics. THey made holes with covers.
     
  8. Kermit262

    Kermit262 Member

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    Just to place a final update on this: when my wife and I went to the dealer to pick up the rear shocks, we passed a Prius v on the showroom floor. We remarked how nice it would be to have the additional passenger and cargo space. Then we paid for the shocks and left, and later joked that the repair almost cost us $30,000 (buying the v) instead of $94.00 (price of the shocks).

    Well, during the following days one thing led to another and we started looking at the Prius v, and exactly one week from the day that we bought the shocks, we took delivery of a brand new 2015 Prius v. So in fact, the repair actually did cost us almost $30,000! So a word of caution - repairing the rear shocks of a 2010 Prius is outrageously expensive. :LOL:
     
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  9. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    Did you install the shocks? Keep the 2010? Trade it in?
     
  10. Kermit262

    Kermit262 Member

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    Installed the shocks, and kept the 2010. My daughter turns 18 in a few months, and it will be a great car for her. I couldn't stand getting rid of it, so it all works out. :)
     
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  11. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    Thumbs Up! My Son just passed the test of Community College getting his AS. So I bought another Liftback and sent him off to College Part II in it a couple hundred miles away. I wouldn't say I'm a Prius fanatic, by any definition, but the high reliability, low TCO and best unrestricted mpg is a hard sell to pass on at present.
     
  12. Kermit262

    Kermit262 Member

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    Double thumbs up! My daughter is on a similar path; local community college (to save on room and board) then off to finish at a 4 year school (probably OSU). Will have peace of mind knowing she has a reliable car.
     
  13. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

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    Where do I get the best deal on shocks/struts? What are my options other than kyb and koni?