OEM 2004 Toyota Prius Coil Springs

2004 Toyota Prius Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: How to overhaul the rear shock absorber and coil spring on 2004 Toyota Prius?

  A: The overhaul process of the rear shock absorber with coil spring starts by removing thirteen components: rear floor board No.2, deck floor box rear, deck trim cover rear, tonneau cover assembly, rear seat back assembly LH, rear floor board No.1, rear side seat back frame LH, rear floor board No.4, deck floor box LH, deck trim side panel assembly LH, battery carrier bracket, and rear wheel. A jack should support the rear axle beam while using a wooden block for protection before the two upper nuts and bolt from the rear shock absorber assembly with coil spring can be removed and finally lower the jack to remove the entire assembly. The rear shock absorber assembly LH requires using a 6 mm socket hexagon wrench on the piston rod to loosen the nut which should remain intact. Using Special Service Tool: 09727-30021 (09727-00010, 09727-00021, 09727-00031) compress the coil spring until it becomes free moving then take off the nut along with cushion washer No.1, cushion No.1, rear spring front bracket, rear suspension support assembly, rear coil spring insulator upper and rear spring bumper No.1. When checking the shock absorber assembly for unusual resistance and noises you should replace it if needed. The installation of rear shock absorber assembly LH requires usage of the original Special Service Tool to compress the coil spring after which the coil spring end should be fitted into the shock absorber assembly lower seat followed by the rear coil spring insulator upper, rear spring bumper No.1, rear suspension support assembly, rear spring front bracket, cushion No.1, and cushion washer No.1 while maintaining proper alignment. Release the Special Service Tool after tightening the shock absorber assembly piston rod nut to 56 Nm (571 kgf-cm, 41 ft. lbs.). The rear shock absorber with coil spring requires placement onto the rear axle beam where you should start by securely inserting the rear spring front bracket stud bolt before raising the rear axle beam and temporarily tightening the nut. Secure the upper side bolt and nuts to 80 Nm (816 kgf-cm, 59 ft. lbs.). Install the rear wheel to a torque of 103 Nm (1,050 kgf-cm, 76 ft. lbs.), then bounce the vehicle to stabilize the suspension before tightening the lower side installation nut of the rear shock absorber with coil spring to 80 Nm (816 kgf-cm, 59 ft. lbs.) after the vehicle is lowered. Check the rear wheel alignment while executing the discharge headlamp initialization as the final step. Before disposal of the rear LH shock absorber assembly users must extend the shock absorber rod and drill a hole between points A and B of the cylinder to release gas while using protective safety gear due to possible metal shard hazards. The gas exists as a colorless and odorless substance which shows no toxic properties.