AUUGH! How to get to Front-Left Sway Bushing NUT?!

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by MrPete, Jul 5, 2025 at 7:41 PM.

  1. MrPete

    MrPete Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2011
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    Location:
    Colorado, USA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I'm replacing the sway bar bushings on my 2011 Prius. NONE of the online videos mention this catch-22. Searching here, I've seen hints that this is an issue, yet nobody really gives a solution.

    The puzzle: the front-left driver side big bolt (one of eight) holding the "FRONT SUSPENSION MEMBER FRONT BRACE LH" (and RH) is actually a bolt and NUT... and I see no simpnle way to get to the nut!

    I was able to somewhat loosen it by using a pry bar. But that isn't enough to get the bushing out, and certainly inadequate to re-tighten.

    Can it really be that one must disassemble most of the suspension to get to this? IE separate and remove "FRONT SUSPENSION ARM SUB–ASSY LOWER NO.1 LH" which apparently involves quite a bit (except I don't have instructions on that for Gen3.)
     
  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
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    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    It could very well be you have to blast all that stuff loose people here have the 3 or 4 manual set for this model I do not . Twill tell ya very quickly . I've not done it personally . But dropping one side would not surprise me kinda similar antics for steering rack too.