broken suspension, any words of wisdom?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by jmann, Mar 12, 2016.

  1. jmann

    jmann Member

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    Rear left. See pictures. Also, what is that disconnected rusted lever thing visible though the wheel spokes? (I assume ride height sensor for HID)

    I assume order smart strut kit for rear and have both sides replaced together. Any other words of wisdom? anything else likely broken?
    e.g. More Information for UNITY 41110115373001
    Are there any high quality assembled rear strut kits for this car like Monroe or KYB? I can't find one.

    20160312_173631.jpg 20160312_173745.jpg 20160312_173626.jpg
     
    #1 jmann, Mar 12, 2016
    Last edited: Mar 12, 2016
  2. 2007blueprius

    2007blueprius Member

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    I cant tell what lever you are referring to, as for your struts, looks like one of them is rotten or the spring broke, that's a new one I have not yet encounter, I changed a fair amount and I usually go for the chepos, I has some fitting issues here and there but for the most part they outlasted the car, haven't yet done this twice on the same car
     
    #2 2007blueprius, Mar 13, 2016
  3. IMkenNY

    IMkenNY Im just being nosy

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    #3 IMkenNY, Mar 13, 2016
  4. 2015Prius2

    2015Prius2 Member

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    Is the bottom spring perch missing, that spring is sitting way close to the strut...
     
    #4 2015Prius2, Mar 14, 2016
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  5. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    Unity complete front strut and rear shock assembly is tempting b/c of price. But the old addage of you get what you pay screams at me.

    I think Monroe does sell a complete front and rear assembly. These may be better quality than Unity. However, opinion of Monroe on PC does not seem to positive.

    I am not aware of KYB or Gabriel selling complete front and rear assemblies. You should inquire on these manufactures website directly.

    When were the front struts last changed? If more than 5yr/50K miles, time to change to maintain optimum handling qualities. If you change the fronts, don't cheap out and reuse the front top bearing plate; you may cone to regret reusing it later.

    There are many threads on front struts and rear shocks replacement. Search those keywords by PC member Patrick for a writeup and parts.
     
    #5 exstudent, Mar 14, 2016
    Last edited: Mar 14, 2016
  6. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Good eye....that spring perch is the rusted tophat looking thing thats now haflway up the spring...one side rusted away and it came loose and walked up the spring so the car is now sagging on that side in the rear.

    To the OP the big issue is not the rear but the front. Your looking at alot of money to fix the rear. if the rear is this bad the front is wiped out too so show us the front end in detail with pictures.

    Suspension wise the car may be totaled. Totaled being cost to much to make it safe to drive.

    Too bad as its pretty cheap to mitigate this kind of rust. Just regulary spray the chassis with anti corrosion grease.
     
    #6 edthefox5, Mar 14, 2016
  7. jmann

    jmann Member

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    This is cleveland (and I worked in Michigan for a year). Rust is just a side effect of living in a place that never stops for weather. (laugh at all of you in Atlanta and Raleigh when your cities shut down over a half inch of snow.)

    I ordered a salvage pair off of ebay for the rear. I was advised against Unity. Salvage is easy and for a $70 pair, it is a fine solution on a 10 year old car. I would love to replace the whole suspension, it just isn't worthwhile. Last year I drove 27000 miles commuting between Cleveland and Detroit. This year, I'm driving like 100 miles a week. The salvage parts solution will be fine for now.

    Part is on its way. I'll try to post some pictures when I have the old one off. I had some creaking briefly after an alignment last year. I wonder if they buggered something up. Whatever. Oh, and about that level thing available through the wheel spokes, I think the screw is missing that holds the ride height sensor to some other lever. I'll fix it when we lift the car.
     
    #7 jmann, Mar 14, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 14, 2016
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Prius suspension components (and the bolts) seem very rust prone.
     
    #8 Mendel Leisk, Mar 14, 2016
  9. goldfinger

    goldfinger Active Member

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    Yup, that's what it is. You can't buy the linkage without the sensor. If you pass inspection I wouldn't fix it.
     
    #9 goldfinger, Mar 14, 2016
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