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Suspension Upgrade

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by prius@noob, Jul 3, 2022.

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  1. prius@noob

    prius@noob Junior Member

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    After finishing the head gasket replacement (thread, if interested) I'm looking to replacement the struts/suspension too. @207k miles, the suspension on my prius is shot and the roads near my place are terrible.

    Read a few threads and people seem to be recommending KYB. Any other recommendations? Basically looking to improve the ride quality. Not really expecting it to drive like a brand new luxury car, but willing to work towards it :)

    The struts replacement seems simple enough (a day's job?) and I want to tackle this in a few weeks time. Any recommendations and tips are appreciated.
     
    #1 prius@noob, Jul 3, 2022
  2. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    It is said that the KYB are the OEM shocks without the Toyota name.
    No sense in only doing the struts because the bearing, cover, and bumper are probably
    gone as well. And those springs do weaken....
    Plus it's a lot easier and quicker to replace the whole unit.

     
    #2 ASRDogman, Jul 3, 2022
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  3. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    If you're willing to test the lowest priced ones online that come pre-assembled with spring already in place not only could you save alot of time and money if it works, but you could provide proof they work and save everyone else on here a lot of money too.
    If you look closely on the photos, some of these low priced offerings appear to be a higher quality build than OEM.
     
    #3 PriusCamper, Jul 3, 2022
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  4. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    See if you can buy KYB Gas A Just compete top plate to hub holes . Or try Monroe Gold complete units . I've had great luck with both.
     
    #4 Tombukt2, Jul 3, 2022
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  5. prius@noob

    prius@noob Junior Member

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    Agreed, better to replace the whole unit.


    Hopefully will get to it in a few weeks time and update on here.

    Gas A Just is just the shock absorber, and not the complete kit? I'll have to purchase other components and assemble the kit myself? Also Gas A Just, doesn't fit 2011 Prius according to AmazonConfirmedFit.
     
    #5 prius@noob, Jul 4, 2022
  6. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    You can buy each part seperately, but it will cost more than the whole assembly.
    If the other parts are in good shape, you could just buy the strut.
    But those part do wear out. It would depend on your finances...
     
    #6 ASRDogman, Jul 4, 2022
  7. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    The gas adjust people which is KYB makes a complete strut assembly it might be the GR series I am not absolutely certain but after looking a little closer at my '09 it looks to me a pretty standard strut for Toyota and a lot of Japanese cars measuring from the top of the strut tower to the two bolts that mount to the front hub The distance of the mount for the strut rod that goes to the sway bar can be moved around and they can be had in adjustable. If needed. Like I say in the next day or two here I'll take these aluminum struts I have off Amazon or eBay they sell for like $3.99 and it looks like they will bolt right up into my '09 and then they are fully adjustable I can raise them up lower them down anywhere in between pick any spring rate that I want you just like Honda springs a little 4 inch whatever they are coil over type springs even the top plates I think have the right spacing or triangle
     
    #7 Tombukt2, Jul 4, 2022
  8. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    I'll take pics of the two side by side
     
    #8 Tombukt2, Jul 4, 2022
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  9. prius@noob

    prius@noob Junior Member

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    Much appreciated. Looking forward to the pics.

    I suspect any new suspension is going to be a huge upgrade. So i'm leaning towards KYB full suspension kit as advised. Will plan this for next month (Just want to be sure the HG problems are solved).

    Any place we can find good deals on them? Rockauto don't seem to carry KYB full suspension kit for gen3 prius and I actively detest amazon. If I can find good deals elsewhere even with slow shipping times, I'd prefer that.
     
    #9 prius@noob, Jul 4, 2022
  10. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Check autozone. They have them. If you're a veteran they'll give you a 10% discount.

     
    #10 ASRDogman, Jul 4, 2022
  11. msequence

    msequence New Member

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    I just purchased the Monroe all in one fully assembled suspension kit off of Rock Auto to fix the noisy and mostly shot setup under our new to us 2011 Prius. I'll be sure to report back results of that. Factory suspension made it to 362,000 kms during the previous owners tenure.
     
    #11 msequence, Jul 5, 2022
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  12. prius@noob

    prius@noob Junior Member

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    Will check it out! Thank you!
     
    #12 prius@noob, Jul 5, 2022
  13. prius@noob

    prius@noob Junior Member

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    I’m guessing you purchased the last one they had in stock..

    Do let us know how it goes!
     
    #13 prius@noob, Jul 6, 2022
  14. JoeMa

    JoeMa Junior Member

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    Would love to hear how the replacement went. Did replacing the tower set improve your ride quality or did you have to go deeper with control arm, tie rod ends, new bushings, etc?
     
    #14 JoeMa, Feb 25, 2024
  15. JoeMa

    JoeMa Junior Member

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    Would love to hear how the replacement went. Did your ride quality improve and what did you end up replacing?
     
    #15 JoeMa, Feb 25, 2024
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