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ABS Wire and Strut Replacement

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Stangar, May 17, 2017.

  1. Stangar

    Stangar Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2011
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    Location:
    Palmdale, CA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I'm about to replace the front struts on my 2011 Prius with 157,000 miles. They are toast.
    I've watched all the videos and read all the posts and can't see any info about undoing that plastic fastener that holds the ABS WIRE on the front strut. It looks like it could be pried off the strut as it is one of those fasteners pushed into the strut. The dealer doesn't sell this part. It's not listed. My question is how do I pry this off (or do I?) or am I missing something. Maybe the strut has to be removed first and then it can be released? Your help/comments are appreciated.
     
  2. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2012
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    Location:
    Central MO
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    II
    dont remember any abs wire connecting to strut
     
  3. Stangar

    Stangar Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2011
    174
    173
    0
    Location:
    Palmdale, CA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I'm the OP and the original owner of my 2011 Prius and found the answer when I went to replace the strut. To unfasten the wire from the plastic holder you just insert a flat blade screw driver from the top and twist to set it free. AFTER removing the old strut, you can transfer that plastic holder to the new strut. Yeah, I'm no auto mechanic but I got the job done.

    After replacing the shocks and struts the car rides like new. The ride had degraded considerably in the past few months but I did not realize how much. I replaced the old components with new OEM Toyota and it now rides like a new Prius (at least the Gen 3 version). Small bumps are smoothed out and the large ones greatly diminished. If you have more than 100,000 miles it would be worth it to replace your struts, upper bearing mount, lower and upper spring isolaters, etc. I also replaced my rear shocks. These components weren't replaced until 157,000 miles and that was way too far. Around 100,000 would have been about right for me. I might add that I live about an hour North of Los Angeles in the high desert. No snow and temps anywhere between 20 deg and 110 deg. I might add that 80% of that mileage is at highway speeds of 65 to 70 mph on average roads. Not potholed but not smooth either.

    However, I'm probably not average because I did 105,000 miles on my original equipment Yokohama tires on my 2011 Prius.

    I'm probably not average as I have 298,000 miles on my original owner 1996 Camry.

    Okay, I'm done impressing myself.
     
    RMB likes this.