2013 Toyota Prius V Replacing Rear Shocks
Just a video showing how to replace the rear shock absorbers on a 2013 Toyota Prius V. This is also the same method to many other Prius models. If you need to replace the front struts as well, please watch my other video on how to replace the front struts on this same car:
The first thing you will need to do is remove the access panel in the rear cargo area of the vehicle. You can just pry off the plastic cover with a screwdriver.
Then, you can loosen the shock nut by using a 17mm wrench and a 6mm allen wrench to keep the top of the shock from spinning. You can remove the metal washer and rubber bushing as well. Now from below, you can loosen and remove the bolt that goes through the bottom part of the shock by using a 17mm wrench and/or a 17mm socket wrench. It was helpful for me to lift the vehicle off the ground for easier access, but you do not need to remove the rear wheel. Once that bolt is out, you can remove the old shock, and replace it with the new one. Just put in the bolt finger tight only, and then torque to 66 ft lbs once the vehicle is back on the ground. Now up at the top, you can put on the new rubber bushing and metal retaining washer. And finally, you can put some thread lock on the top of the shock and put the new nut back on. When tightening, you will notice that the new nut is 19mm, and the top of the shock is flattened so you can use a crescent wrench to keep it from spinning. Torque this nut to 18 ft lbs.
Tools needed for replacing the rear shocks:
17mm open end wrenches or ratcheting wrench
17mm socket wrench with long handle
19mm wrench
Flathead/blade screwdriver
6mm allen wrench
Crescent wrench
Torque wrench
Torque specs:
Top of the shock is 18 ft. lbs and it is recommended to use Loctite or equivalent.
The bottom bolt that goes through the shock is 66 ft. lbs.
Don’t torque the bottom bolt until the vehicle is lowered on the ground.
The replacement shocks used were the Monroe OE Spectrum.
Here is a link to the shocks I used from Amazon: