OEM 2004 Toyota Prius Shock Absorber

2004 Toyota Prius Parts Questions & Experts Answers

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

  A: The process of replacing the shock absorber with coil spring starts with front wheel removal along with wiper arm head cap, both front wiper arms and continues with hood to cowl top seal removal and cowl top ventilator louver detachment followed by removal of windshield wiper motor & link assembly and cowl top panel sub-assembly outer front. A jack should be positioned under the front suspension lower arm No.1 LH to support it after which the front stabilizer link assembly can be separated from the shock absorber using a hexagon wrench (6 mm) whenever required. You need to remove both connections between the front shock absorber and the front flexible hose No.1 along with the speed sensor front LH wire harness until the speed sensor shows no contact. detach the shock absorber from the vehicle by removing its securing nuts and bolts and lowering the jack according to procedure. The shock absorber must be placed in a vise before utilizing Special Service Tool: 09727-30021 (09727-00010, 09727-00021, 09727-00031) to compress the coil spring without applying impact wrenches to prevent damage. Using Special Service Tool: 09729-22031 you should secure the front coil spring seat upper before removing the front suspension support to front shock absorber LH nut. The technician must first remove the front suspension support sub-assembly LH along with its dust seal and then extract the coil spring seat upper LH and coil spring insulator upper LH, coil spring LH, spring bumper LH before testing the shock absorber assembly for abnormal resistance and sound signatures. The technician should install a new shock absorber assembly front LH if replacement becomes necessary. Set in place the new shock absorber assembly front LH which should be followed by installing the coil spring insulator lower LH along with the spring bumper LH and coil spring LH while maintaining Special Service Tool alignment for compression. The installation of the upper LH coil spring insulator and its matching coil spring seat upper must be in right direction. Fitting the front suspension support LH dust seal and sub-assembly requires installation of the coil spring seat upper nut with a new component tightened to 47 Nm (479 kgf-cm, 35 ft. lbs.). The installation requires application of MP grease No.2 to specific areas and the fitment of the front suspension support dust cover. Fasten the front shock absorber with coil spring to the steering knuckle assembly while using the appropriate nuts which require specified torque values. Fasten the front flexible hose No.1 and speed sensor front LH in place without any hose twisting. Nullify the front stabilizer link assembly installation followed by putting back the cowl top panel sub-assembly outer front, windshield wiper motor & link assembly and cowl top ventilator louvers, hood to cowl top seal along with both front wiper arms before installing the front wheels at 103 Nm torque (1,050 kgf-cm, 76 ft. lbs.) and checking front wheel alignment. The disposal process for the shock absorber assembly front LH requires full extension of the shock absorber rod followed by drilling a hole in the cylinder for gas discharge while using suitable safety tools due to potential metal fragment hazards.