Missing washer for front strut replacement?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Priusfromevil, Feb 3, 2013.

  1. Priusfromevil

    Priusfromevil Junior Member

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    I have found the best threads for removal and replacement of front & rear struts for the 2nd Gen Prius. Springs/Struts Install

    The problem I have is the (urethane?) washer that goes between the top strut cap and mount has disintegrated, and I'm having trouble locating a replacement. The OEM parts I ordered from Champion Toyota do not include this washer.
    The original (after 100K miles) was so bad it was in 3 pieces by the time I removed the strut assembly. It was rather spongy and easily broke apart. This probably explains the clunking I was experiencing in the front end that prompted the R&R in the first place. Metal on metal is never good.

    Anyone have experience with this? I am trying to located the part # through the exploded diagrams so I can visit the dealer in the morning. Seems odd that this part wasn't included in the strut mount part.

    Thoughts?

    Thanks,
    Jeremy

    In this diagram I am referencing #21

    http://www.dealerdirectparts.com/v/vspfiles/photos/8545185.gif
     
    #1 Priusfromevil, Feb 3, 2013
  2. Priusfromevil

    Priusfromevil Junior Member

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    To bring closure, it is called a dust seal. Picked up two at dealer for $13.
    Beware to those replacing front suspension, order these puppies along with strut mount.
     
    #2 Priusfromevil, Feb 4, 2013
    spiderman likes this.
  3. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Make sure you get the top bearing #22. Its alot of work. Do it right the first time. I just did a set on a Sebring. I can promise you I will never ever do another set of struts lol.

    I was chasing clunking too. It fixed it. But I put in new lca's too. New lca's are not a bad idea as the ball joints on aPrius are pretty wimpy. Ball joint failure scares me.
     
    #3 edthefox5, Feb 4, 2013
  4. Priusfromevil

    Priusfromevil Junior Member

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    How do you know you have a ball joint failure?
     
    #4 Priusfromevil, Feb 4, 2013
  5. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    You can pry gently with a crowbar or there's a few other tests. Youtube has some and alot online. Its simple.

    And the problem with chasing clunking is it may be worn out bushings in the lca's that are exacerbated by worn out struts.
    But I see your in Florida and our roads are not bad so its probably just the struts. But when you have the struts out and the knuckle is suspended by wire yank the lca as hard as you can back in forth (with gloves on) front to back to see if there's any slop in the lca bushings. Watch the lca for pivoting at the 2 bushing mounts area's. Any movement there and they need to be replaced.

    Also its a good idea if your doing the struts to replace the stab links to. They are not that easy but there cheap.
    Like $20 each. Your in there make it worth your while.

    Btw, the very best tool to use on a strut job is the 1/2 Dewalt Impact Drill DW920 I think. Electric not air. I rented one at the tool rental for $15 a day. It is a life saver to put the spring compressors on & off. Its a flat bitch of a job.
     
    #5 edthefox5, Feb 4, 2013
  6. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    I just did a set of front struts on a 92 Toyota Previa and ran into the same issue - the dust seal which "cushions" the bearing race from the spring seat was in pieces. However, the aftermarket Monroe strut mount already had a dust seal built into the bearing race, so the original was no longer needed (though it would've been nice to have).
     
    #6 The Critic, Mar 27, 2013
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