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2004 Prius worth replacing front struts?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Toyotally04, Jul 27, 2022.

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  1. Toyotally04

    Toyotally04 Member

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    My 2004 Prius reached its 200,000 mile hallmark early last month.

    Its front struts has been janky for quite a while now. It was squeaking earlier this year, but now it's bouncy.

    Back in April, a franchise mechanic shop quoted me $1,300 for complete front strut assembly with "premium option". Front strut assembly with cheaper parts would be $930.

    So you guys think it's worth it, or should I be shopping for a new car?

    TTLLY04
     
    #1 Toyotally04, Jul 27, 2022
  2. alftoy

    alftoy Senior Member

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    #2 alftoy, Jul 27, 2022
  3. Toyotally04

    Toyotally04 Member

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    Oh, labor is 400...

    ===EDIT===

    I'm looking at the quote invoice.

    It looks like front complete strut assembly costs from 250 ("cheap") -450 (prem) ea.
     
    #3 Toyotally04, Jul 27, 2022
  4. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Find a friend or family member who works on cars and pay them for the labor... They'll appreciate you hooking them up and you'll save lots of money.
     
    #4 PriusCamper, Jul 27, 2022
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  5. Another

    Another Senior Member

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    Can you buy a new car for $1,000?
     
    #5 Another, Jul 28, 2022
  6. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

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    #6 mr_guy_mann, Jul 28, 2022
  7. Toyotally04

    Toyotally04 Member

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    I guess, if I want to buy a car from the previous century...

    According to some "social influencer" auto mechanics, at this time with all the global craziness going on since beginning of 2020, probably pretty hard to find one that'll function well and last long.
     
    #7 Toyotally04, Jul 28, 2022
  8. ttou68

    ttou68 Active Member

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    If struts is all you need then go ahead find someone reasonable and have the job done..
    $1,300 for 2 front struts is bit ridiculous..

    I would replace both front and rear struts..
    I've done swap out struts for my mother's Prius and it wasn't bad at all...

    FYI, have a alignment done afterwards..

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #8 ttou68, Jul 28, 2022
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  9. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    In today's car market; if that car has been proven to be reliable and in decent shape - shop around and get it repaired. You'll have to pay a premium for a good commuter car now. That's assuming you can find one. If you want to move into a 10-15 mpg SUV, there's plenty of them available.

    Just my 2-cents

    PS - stick with KYB or OEM, cheap struts tend to bottom out and be overtly soft in my experience.
     
    #9 BiomedO1, Jul 29, 2022
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  10. Todd Bonzalez

    Todd Bonzalez Active Member

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    Seems awfully expensive, like 3x what the job should cost.

    Get a price from a local independent mechanic. I'd be surprised if it cost than a few hundred.

    You don't need "premium" struts btw
     
    #10 Todd Bonzalez, Jul 29, 2022
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2022
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  11. Toyotally04

    Toyotally04 Member

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    @ 200,100+ miles, if I got OEM struts (costing couple hundred extra), do you guys think it'll go a long way (say another 10 years / 80,000 miles), or make no difference with brands like KYB?
     
    #11 Toyotally04, Aug 2, 2022
  12. alftoy

    alftoy Senior Member

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    #12 alftoy, Aug 2, 2022
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  13. Toyotally04

    Toyotally04 Member

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    So done a bit more (noob) research:

    My Prius doesn't "nose-dive" as exaggerated on YT.

    I checked the top of my front struts, I don't see any liquid oil on my hands. The rear tires don't show visual access to any struts, right?

    Still, on occassion, I'd hear a squishy noise from time to time; and I am aware of the car bounces light a bit more.
     
    #13 Toyotally04, Aug 4, 2022
  14. Toyotally04

    Toyotally04 Member

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    Um... so I'm not sure whether this is related exactly (I forgot to mention it, I think)... but earlier this year, I mentioned to the franchise mechanic about occasion noise while driving, after his inspection is when he told me about the struts.

    Soooo... the noise, I would describe: like a high-pitched squeaky toy that happens when I'm driving locally at roughly 30 mph.

    Any thoughts?
     
    #14 Toyotally04, Aug 15, 2022
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    not sure how struts could make a constant noise. should only happen over bumps or uneven pavement.
    can you make a recording and post?
     
    #15 bisco, Aug 16, 2022
  16. Toyotally04

    Toyotally04 Member

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    do not know... maybe i should start another thread with a list of empirical symptoms.

    So the noise is like a toy rubber ducky squeak, if that makes any sense or IYKYK if you're old enough. I could drive 25 miles in one day trip on local streets and I probably hear it sporadically half a dozen times on relatively smooth roads.

    I hear the squeaks from 3 relative areas while driving, all right side: near the front right wheel, from behind me over my right shoulder (as if the rear wheel), and sometimes front right-center of the undercarriage.... (weird I know).
     
    #16 Toyotally04, Aug 17, 2022
  17. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    You probably just need your suspension lubricated – providing that all the bushings are still ok.
     
    #17 dolj, Aug 17, 2022
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  18. Toyotally04

    Toyotally04 Member

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    How much would a mechanic charge for a job like that?
     
    #18 Toyotally04, Aug 18, 2022
  19. Another

    Another Senior Member

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    Lubrication is cheap. But what happens as cars age, the rubber bushings start losing elasticity and begin bulging and/or cracking like the discs in an aging spinal cord. I’d get a lube job first. You don’t want to start piecemeal replacement of suspension parts.
    Are you sure it’s not something simple like a loose bumper or plastic splash shield that’s rubbing?
     
    #19 Another, Aug 18, 2022
  20. Toyotally04

    Toyotally04 Member

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    So I dropped my Prius at a Toyota dealership and asked for an oil change.

    When I returned, this is what they recommended:

    Toyota Dealership Recommend.png

    My Prius is now @ 200,000+ miles.
     
    #20 Toyotally04, Aug 20, 2022
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