Ride Quality question

Thank you again. I am leaning towards the front struts with springs already installed to make the job easier.

I took my car on a drive and paid closer attention to the ride. Seems like the car is a bit bouncy on the bumps. I also just remembered that my car tends to "skip" and the traction control light comes on for a second on a bigger bump on dry pavement every now and then. That could be normal, but a I don't have anything to compare against on that.

I think my first move will be to have my local Toyota independent shop look at my car before proceeding. My thought is the fronts need replacement and the rears are a maybe. Perhaps there are other components that could use refreshing as well.

 

I fixed this problem by trading in the Prius for a VW Golf.

 

It sounds like your problem is you just need to get new shocks/struts. At a dealer, it can run you about $1000 to replace front and rear.

Since you are in Torrance CA, there is this person named Tommy with great reviews on Yelp. He works mostly on audio and lowering car suspensions.

He was able to do my rear shocks for about $80-$100 labor only. So I would think front and rear would run you around $200 labor plus parts (you have to buy these either at the dealer or online). Which is much lower than what a dealer would charge you. Here's his yelp link

Music Box - 12 Photos - Car Stereo Installation - South El Monte, CA - Reviews - Yelp

 

Update I replaced the front struts last night, and I have noticed a nice improvement in the ride. Took about 3 hours start to finish. I bought the struts that come with new coil springs already installed for easier installation.
I will update once I get the rears done.

 

Here's a video you can watch on how to take apart the rear section of your car, to get to the shocks........It's actually a hv battery video, but it shows what you need to take apart and how to do it.

 

Thank you for that!

 

Rears are done! Took 6 hours because I had a lot to learn since I had to actually take the strut apart since I couldn't find a complete kit like I found for the fronts. Replaced coil springs while I was at it.

The one tip I have for those doing their own rear struts is to mark the position of the "top hat" with respect to the coil spring. Use a grease pencil or masking tape. If replacing with new coil springs, simply line up the new coil spring with the old one BEFORE disassembling the strut, by lining up the bottom pigtail ends with each other. Then mark the position of the top hat with where it should meet with the new coil spring. The bottom of the shock absorber will not pivot once the strut assembly is put together, so if you do not have it all lined up properly, you will be either be taking the strut apart again to get the bottom in the right position to line up with the bottom stud, or you will be using the strut compressor to compress the coil spring, then pivoting the bottom to line up with the stud. Not knowing this little tidbit of information is why it took me 4 hours to do the first rear strut, and only 1 hour to do the other one.

The rear sits a bit higher now, no more saggy rear. Ride is very nice now.

 

Good info here! I bought a Gen2 and replaced the front struts with KYB's at 139k miles . I can't say the difference is huge, but I'm going to do the rear shocks and see if that does anything more. The ride fees very stiff in general and my PSI is back to 32 all around (was 40). Perhaps these cars are just not a smooth ride? I'm coming from a 2008 CRV which I know is not a great comparison, but I've ridden in Camry's and the difference between that and the Prius (at least mine) is huge.

 

You can now buy a full assembly for the rear struts. I highly recommend that over the hassle I had replacing the strut and coil spring separately.

 

Definitely. I bought the full assembly for the fronts and it made it way easier, especially for my first time doing this job.
Hopefully will make a difference in the ride.
Thanks!

 

Just curious what you think:
I am now putting on 16" touring wheels on my 08 Base. I know rear struts are different and wonder why? I also run a bit oversize tires for higher vehicle 195/60/16 over the 195/55/16.
are the touring somewhat lower or have smaller load capacity? When i see images they look to have less coil count than the base model. Maybe i dont need to install touring absorbers just because i put the other wheels. Maybe its just for handling which i really dont mind as is.