First Real repair at 78500 miles--Struts

good call on the alignment, you definitely want that if you're replacing struts.

compressed springs are dangerous to deal with. if you're not sure, this is something you'd rather have someone else do for the safety factor anyway. you'd lose a lot more than ~$350 (tax, all labor) claiming on your short term disability insurance over going to work if something went south.

suspension parts are wear items though- so technically you're still in maintenance territory imo.

 

Hi Evan,

Yes, you would need a couple of jackstands and a spring compressor, plus a socket of the appropriate size to loosen the two large bolts holding the bottom of the front struts to the steering knuckle. Since you've decided this work is out of your comfort zone, the price seems reasonable.

Note that spring compression is not a big deal; I bought a spring compressor tool from Sears for $55 which works quite well and has safety pins to prevent the tool from slipping off the coil spring.
Craftsman Strut Spring Compressor Tool with Built-In Safety Pins - Model 90500 at Sears.com

If in the future you decide to try your hand at this job, you definitely will want a tool with the safety pins. I've used that tool to replace six struts/shocks so far: all four on my 2001 and the rear two on the 2004.

I remain unconvinced that routinely replacing the top mounts is required, since they are quite rugged in construction. I suggest you ask the mechanic to save the old mounts so that you can see whether any play exists or not.

BTW, Champion Toyota in Houston sells the front struts for $99 each while the strut mounts go for $62 each (plus shipping).
http://www.trademotion.com/partloca...=2004&graphicID=F820050&callout=3&catalogid=1
Another reason to DIY.

 

Planning for the future here, just in case ....

It's been many years since I've had struts replaced on a car. Based on my (admittedly fuzzy) recollection of their cost, this seems pretty pricey. Forgetting the alignment and the mounts for a minute, that still leaves ~$800. Several questions:

1. Is the labor component pretty consistent with most FWD cars nowadays?
2. If not, is there something about the Prius that makes them tougher to install than in a conventional car?
3. Do any of the aftermarket shock/strut manufacturers make one for the Prius?
4. If so, how's their quality?

 

I pay $900ish to replace the struts on my Camry a few years back. They said it was labor intensive. A friend who had replaced the struts on his jeep (did the work himself) agreed with that assessment.

 

1. Yes, except that you have to remove the cowl when doing the front; and remove much of the hatch trim when doing the rear. As a DIYer, it takes me around 3 hours to do either front or back, given the lack of learning curve efficiencies.
2. N/A
3. KYB, which also makes the Toyota-brand struts/shocks
4. I haven't tried the KYB-brand yet.

 

Evan, would you say that the originals saw normal use? Were there any severe shocks?

 

just be careful with those, they can warp springs if you're not.
DH has one similar to this, but made by snap-on: OTC 6494 - Clamshell Strut Spring Compressor much safer to use and less likely to cause damage or injury.

compressed springs, when released unexpectedly, can punch a hole in a cinder block wall. DH saw someone do it in his early days as a mechanic.

they're not that rugged. worn strut mounts make suspension noise. annoying suspension noise. since he's already having the entire assy torn down and the labor to replace it is basically free, not installing new strut mounts amounts to asking for the same labor bill to replace different parts later.

this is the same thing DH has always said, will always say, and has done to our own cars, based on what he's seen. especially front mounts.

1. the shop that E is going to is getting more for labor than DH's old shop, but this is understandable. it's pretty standard for there to be an "easy job" rate and a "tough job" rate. sounds like DH was getting paid the easy job rate, where the shop E is going to charges the tough job rate. the tough job rate is justified in comparison to other cars.
2. the wiper cowling is in the way- that's not typical. most of the time the mount bolts are out in the open, real easy to get to. if you've got a ratcheting wrench and know what you're doing, you can do it without pulling the cowling, but it's a similar pita with that.
3. kyb manufactures most of toyota's oem struts and makes an a/m for the prius.
4. the oem struts that are made for toyota are made to different specs than kyb's a/m parts. don't know of anyone who's gone with the a/m part. we had kyb a/m struts on our old camry and they did not last long. they were fine while they lasted.

 

how much more for tourings!!!

 

I will take the opportunity and swap out the suspension with TRD sportivo kit. With the amount you paid for OEM parts, it's seem to be no brainer to upgrade to the TRD sportivo suspension kit.

 

lol yeah i was choked when i found out TRD version wasn't that more expensive than stock strut/mounts.

they came with new springs too ARGH!!!

3 hours for a rookie like me with shop equipment (fancy compressor spring tool, automotive lift and a tech's toolbox)

it pays 1.5 hours, maybe i should be a service ad visor lol

 

Would struts be something that were covered under the extended warranty?

 

I think so, as I don't see struts listed among the exclusions.

The Toyota Financial Services website has this to say about the Platinum Plan and its excluded components:

"Note: Platinum protection covers virtually all component groups on new vehicles. If your new vehicle's component does not appear on our List of Excluded Components , it is covered by Platinum protection."


"List of Excluded Components

• Accessory Drive Belts
• Batteries
• Body Panels
• Brake Linings, Pads and Shoes
• Bumpers
• Carpet
• Chrome
• Clutch Friction Disk and Pressure Plate
• Dash Cover and Pad
• Door Trim, Handles and Fabric
• Filters
• Fluids
• Glass (including Windshield)
• Headliner
• Heating Hoses, Lines and Tubes
• Hinges
• Hybrid System Main Relays
• Hybrid Vehicle Battery
• Hybrid Vehicle Battery Module/Pack
• Hoses
• Interior and Exterior Trim Moldings, including but not limited to, Cup Holders, Ashtrays, Covers, and Vents
• Lamps
• Light Bulbs
• Nuts, Bolts, Clips, Retainers and Fasteners
• Paint
• Rotors and Drums
• Rust and Corrosion Damage
• Seat Covers
• Service Plug
• Shiny Metals
• Spark Plugs
• Structural Framework and Wells
• Tires
• Vacuum Hoses, Lines and Tubes
• Weather Stripping
• Wheels and Rims
• Windshield Wiper Blades (Rubber Component)"

 

I think the Touring has the same front struts and springs as the Standard Prius.

The suspension parts that are different on the Touring are the front and rear stabilizer bars and the rear shocks and springs.

 

The parts should be returnable, and the labor hasn't been performed yet.

I would think you should be able to get a full refund, and give the guy $50 for his trouble.

But I'd re-read all that extended warranty stuff again to be sure.

But if I'm right about the extended warranty I think you might be able to get everything (both struts and maybe the alignment) done under the extended warranty on the theory that common practice is to get both struts replaced at the same time (and not just the single damaged strut), and I thought that when you get front struts replaced you're supposed to get an alignment too.