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Struts Wearing Out

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by The Critic, Mar 9, 2012.

  1. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    I am approaching 26k on my 2011 and have recently begun noticing that the struts are not rebounding nearly as well as new. On the highway, I am also noticing more bounce than before on certain road surfaces.

    Judging from the condition of the struts at this point, I am fairly certain that I will need to replace them before 50,000 miles. So far, only new OE struts are available at around $300 for a set of 4. Or, I can buy Tein coilovers for $800, which I would rather not do.

    Has anyone else noticed that their struts are starting to wear out? Any observations from the higher mileage units out there?
     
    #1 The Critic, Mar 9, 2012
  2. adamace1

    adamace1 Senior Member

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    My car rides like new still. 52k miles.
     
    #2 adamace1, Mar 9, 2012
  3. revhigh

    revhigh MPG Enthusiast

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    Not doubting your observations, but are you SURE it's the struts, and not some other variable like tires ??

    I think the only way that Toyota would consider them 'failing' was if they leaked. I've never heard of struts 'wearing out' if they didn't leak.

    Again ... not doubting your observations !! :D


    REV
     
    #3 revhigh, Mar 9, 2012
  4. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

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    That's pretty unusual for the struts to be giving out at 26K miles. Take the car to the dealer. It should be covered under warranty.
     
    #4 firepa63, Mar 9, 2012
  5. revhigh

    revhigh MPG Enthusiast

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    Agreed, but like I said ... I think the standard test for struts being worn out is a leak ... I don't think the 1 and a half bounces is valid anymore like it used to be with shocks. Maybe squirt some oil on them and drive it for a few weeks if you want them replaced for free !!! :D


    REV
     
    #5 revhigh, Mar 9, 2012
  6. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    42k miles and my car still drives like it was new. No notice of any issues with the struts.

    My wife calls me OCD about my car but The Critic you have me beat by a mile :)
     
    #6 jdcollins5, Mar 9, 2012
  7. cyclopathic

    cyclopathic Senior Member

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    #7 cyclopathic, Mar 9, 2012
  8. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    I haven't noticed anything different either at 40k mark.
     
    #8 32kcolors, Mar 9, 2012
  9. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    Leakage past the spring seat is what Toyota requires to warrant a replacement under warranty. However it is common for struts to show reduced performance yet not have any leaks. With the exception of the newer Hunter suspension analyzer it is impossible to truly measure strut performance anyway which is why there needs to be significant leakage before Toyota will warranty them.

    Regardless I've personally noticed significant deterioration compared to new.

    MB860 ?
     
    #9 The Critic, Mar 9, 2012
  10. revhigh

    revhigh MPG Enthusiast

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    Yup !! That's usually what it requires. Let us know what you decide on.


    REV
     
    #10 revhigh, Mar 9, 2012
  11. cyclopathic

    cyclopathic Senior Member

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    if you are not too lazy to take rear shock off and measure, perhaps one of these would fit?
    Pro Comp Tires Pro Comp ES9000 Shock Absorber - JCWhitney

    Edit:
    KYB catalog lists following part #
    2010-11 ALL
    Right Hand 339242 349035 SB112 (front/rear/boot)
    Left Hand 339243 349035 SB112 (front/rear/boot)

    if you find someone who carries them
     
    #11 cyclopathic, Mar 9, 2012
  12. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    I think F8L ruined your car.
     
    #12 macmaster05, Mar 9, 2012
    2 people like this.
  13. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    I will probably wait until the 50k mark.

    At that time I will either purchase a set of Tein Street Advance coilovers or a set of "good" aftermarket struts and Plus Pkg springs.

    Springs also wear out and sag overtime, so replacing the springs will likely be necessary as well at some point.
     
    #13 The Critic, Mar 9, 2012
  14. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    Looks like KYB will have replacement struts/shocks available starting the 2nd quarter of 2012.
     
    #14 The Critic, Mar 16, 2012
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  15. cyclopathic

    cyclopathic Senior Member

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    keep posted. Just cant bring myself to pay for tein
     
    #15 cyclopathic, Mar 16, 2012
  16. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    KYB has the front struts available. They are sold under the Excel-G label. You can get them for $70/ea shipped from partsgeek.

    The rears are available directly from Toyota for about $35/ea. This is about 1/2 the price of the aftermarket KYB Excel-G for the rear. For some reason, the dealership rear strut is significantly cheaper than the aftermarket option - this was true for the Gen 2 as well.

    I replaced the rear shocks at about 54,000 miles due to the bounciness. The fronts will be replaced soon as well, as the R/F strut is very noisy when one tries to push down on the R/F corner of the car.
     
    #16 The Critic, Feb 18, 2013
  17. hlunde

    hlunde Member

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    Do we know the OEM manufacturer of the struts? Is there any OEM labeling on the strut?
     
    #17 hlunde, Feb 18, 2013
  18. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    It is KYB.


    iPhone ?
     
    #18 The Critic, Feb 18, 2013
  19. Gary Rieger

    Gary Rieger Junior Member

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    my 2016 with 64k on it has really gotten bad and i am now looking to replace those KYB unfortunately bilstien doesnt make a replacement so looks like more of the same
     
    #19 Gary Rieger, Oct 16, 2020
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