Help me identify what is wrong with my 2006 Prius. Shocks?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Aegean, Dec 10, 2019.

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  1. Aegean

    Aegean Active Member

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    My 2006 Prius with just 141k miles developed a new issue. When I brake to stop the car completely, even at a very slow rate the vehicle is bouncing a couple of times. I am suspecting one of the coils is broken or a shock is destroyed. Shocks and coils are original. What do you think?

    I tried to push each corner by hand to check for bouncing but this does not do anything. I checked the height of the fender related to the tire and appears similar in each side. I do not see any leaks from the shocks. I am sure they are long overdue for replacement but is this the reason the car developed this issue suddenly?
     
    #1 Aegean, Dec 10, 2019
  2. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    Limited to speculation, but "just 141K miles"...on +13 YO original shocks/struts? Even "IF" this is not the problem, they are way over due to be replaced.
     
    #2 frodoz737, Dec 10, 2019
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  3. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Brianne demonstrates stopping in a car with completely blown struts.

    If your height measurements are equal then the springs are probably fine, but it sounds like you need new struts all the way around. It'll be easy to inspect the springs during that swap.

    Good luck!
     
    #3 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Dec 11, 2019
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  4. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    The shocks are suspect......but maybe not for this reason.
    I think you need to check the brakes first.
    You may have a rotor or caliper going bad.......and the car "bounces" when they grab.
     
    #4 sam spade 2, Dec 11, 2019
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  5. Aegean

    Aegean Active Member

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    You are right. I believe the rotors was the issue. This is my fourth car passed to my high school student son not putting a lot of miles. I noticed some rust on the rotors. So I drove the car at about 40 mph, put it in neutral and stepped on the brakes to clean the rotors from the rust. After a few times the issue disappeared or at least is not noticeable.

    Anyway, this got me thinking changing the shocks. I think I am going to buy the assemblies with shocks and struts already together as one unit. The rear appears time consuming taking out the interior panels. I hope I can do the fronts without taking out the wipers. Is it possible?
     
    #5 Aegean, Dec 11, 2019
  6. davecook89t

    davecook89t Senior Member

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    If the shocks are not leaking and the car does not bounce more than once when pushing down the corners, I do not think changing them is necessary. Our Gen 2 car has 280k miles with the original shocks and I am not noticing any issues with the way it handles. I believe their need for replacement depends entirely on the type of roads on which the car has spent most of its time. Since our car has been driven mostly on the highway, there seems to have been little wear on them.
     
    #6 davecook89t, Dec 11, 2019
  7. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    Respects...but I suggest addressing the OP with your opinion/s as it relates.
     
    #7 frodoz737, Dec 11, 2019
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  8. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Be careful, there are quality concerns with some of the struts most likely to be included in a convenient strut kit. Almost like they couldn't get people to buy them any other way...:whistle:
     
    #8 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Dec 12, 2019
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  9. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    I would NOT be doing that......unless one or more of them is actually physically broken.
    Not worth the effort on a car that old.
    Kind of like putting lipstick on a pig. :ROFLMAO:
     
    #9 sam spade 2, Dec 12, 2019
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  10. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Say what ?? And to whom was that comment directed ?

    No "respect" in that comment that I see.
    He is relating to the OP, and everybody else reading, that he respectfully disagrees with what you said.
    And I agree.
     
    #10 sam spade 2, Dec 12, 2019
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  11. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    Aegean, let me give you the benefit of my over 40 years hands-on career experience holding multiple Licenses...go to a qualified shop and have then check it out...hands on, in person. ;)

    Remote Google "experts" and 6 inch ruler contests are not going to fix your vehicle.
     
    #11 frodoz737, Dec 12, 2019
    Last edited: Dec 12, 2019
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  12. Aegean

    Aegean Active Member

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    I have been overcharged again and again over the years by qualified shop mechanics. For the past 20 years I avoid them at all costs even if it means replacing parts in a trial error mode and buying tools. Actually, I prefer to read factory manuals, watch YouTube videos, read numerous posts in forums, buy tools and parts and do it my self.

    So far there is nothing that I haven’t been able to fix except one time. It was a pressure issue in an inboard/outboard boat motor. Tried several things and for just once I trusted a official Mercruiser dealer and his master mechanic who diagnosed a bad head gasket after a inconclusive leak down test. Paid $2500 in repairs for the headgasket and head planning and the pressure issue was still there. I cut my losses, picked up my boat and sold it on Craigslist half price. Never again!
     
    #12 Aegean, Dec 12, 2019
  13. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    Qualified shop does not restrict you to the Dealership. Sight unseen...your description of the fault points to suspension. I am all for fixing your own...you just need to confirm before hand. Look at a couple of shops that will give you a free evals before you pull out the shells and start shooting randomly. FWIW...there are different levels of failure and wear. The corner push /bounce test only indicates total failure. Wish the best.
     
    #13 frodoz737, Dec 13, 2019
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