Heard some clinking noise. Removed the rear left wheel and found this part broken. What is this part called? I tried searching for diagrams and came up short.
Thanks. Found this video that explains it more. I'll take it apart when I have time and see if I can make my own rod out off scrap metal.
Or some sort of splint. It's like a broken bone. put 2 or 3 slim metal rods across the break, as long as possible, wrap liberally with wire along the length, butter it all up with 2-part epoxy. Checking that the ball joints are free-moving should be in the maintenance schedule; grit and road salt kill these things. Easiest way to check, and distribute the grease, is unbolt one end, work the joints.
Great idea. I will take your repair advice when I get a chance to do the repair. Thank you! No code. Just occasional clinking sounds in turns or bumps. Not even sure if the sound is from that broken rod.
It's a link for the headlight leveling sensor. The swivel joints are seized and ruined. Toyota sells the link only as part of the sensor. You can find just the link from the aftermarket. Or just remove the broken link and zip tie the sensor arm about at half travel and not worry about it. Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
Took off early to vote and used the extra time to tackle this broken link. The bottom joint had seized, and the rubber boot had ripped away. Thought about regreasing the joint but will probably seize again without any protection from the elements. I decided to go low tech. Here is my solution with a coat hanger wire. It will probably rust away in a few seasons. I'll keep an eye on this when ever I check my tire pressure, which is quite often with dead TPMS batteries.
That coat hanger wire is not going to hold long. The bends will open up, change the spacing (before it eventually falls off), and if the spacing is wrong, the sensor is wrong, and the headlights won't do what they are supposed to. It may wear a groove into part of the other pieces before it fails. Not good. In this thread: Headlight level sensor 'tie rod' broken | PriusChat they refer to this part (go to Amazon, search for "Febest 0123-GRJ120-KIT LINK, HEIGHT CONTROL SENSOR, REPAIR KIT 48906-35010") which is a generic linkage that can be adjusted to 75 mm center to center. Here is the manufacturer's page: FEBEST - 0123-GRJ120-KIT - Link, height control sensor, repair kit which says that it fits 2004-2009 Prius. See that OEM part number? If you search with it other similar parts will be found. However, all the ones I saw were "never heard of that company" Chinese parts. From what I have seen online, Febest seems to be the German equivalent of Dorman, so not so great in quality either. That said, it is just some threaded metal, nuts and bushings, and it isn't doing anything tricky or handling much of a load, so it should be good enough. Just be sure to lube it once and a while. The real part is $57 at one of our nearby Toyota dealers: Height Control Sensor Link Sub-Assembly Rear #48906-35010 | Autoparts.toyota.com
48906-35010 might even be cheaper here: Buy Genuine Toyota 4890635010 (48906-35010) Link Sub-Assy, Height Control Sensor, Rear. Prices, fast shipping, photos, weight - Amayama On west coast Canada I'm seeing roughly $50 CDN, full price with shipping. I've used them multiple times for items up to around $100 CDN, never any extra charges, say duty/tax.
Thanks for the part number. Did a search and I found it for under $10 shipped from AliExpress. I appreciate all the help received here!
Just replaced the linkage that was sitting around all winter. I put off the installation because it was a bit longer than OEM. Finally found time to cut it down with a dremel and matched up the length. Linkage installed.
That replacement part looks good. The rust, not so good. In the second picture there are two bolts facing up which look like the nuts have already rusted on. Would be a good idea to treat that rust before it gets worse. At least hit the rustiest areas with some squirts of "Fluid Film", or a similar product. I understand that as NE cars go, that one isn't terrible. From a California perspective, that amount of rust would be grounds for not considering that vehicle for purchase.
I’ve also replaced this recently. I’m in the UK so my car failed MOT as this part had snapped. My local Toyota wanted £774 to replace it! I bought the part off eBay and fitted it myself. Use WD40 or similar on the bolts first.
