Coil Spring replacement & repair done differently

What does a Coil Spring do?

A coil spring is a helical spring that compresses and expands as you drive over a road surface, it absorbs the bumps in the road and counters excessive bouncing that might occur after the initial shock absorption. With other words, the coil spring smooths out the road's irregularities.

The coil spring encapsulates, in many cases, the shock absorber and essentially forms a single unit that is mounted between the upper and lower wishbone. Sometimes a coil/shock absorber unit can also be part of a suspension strut, as in a MacPherson suspension system.

How do you know there is something wrong with a Coil Spring?

• When the car bounces on excessively after driving over a hump or similar.
• When the car feels unstable going through a corner.
• When the car leans to one side.
• When the body of the car rolls more than usual through corners.
• When the impact of navigating over humps is harder than normal.
• When there is a squeaking or thudding noise coming from the suspension.

When should you consider a Coil Spring replacement?

Over time, a coil spring can wear. The protective plastic coating fitted to most springs can flake due to continuous compression and expansion of the spring, often corroding the spring and leading to an increasingly brittle metal spring. The small cracks that appear can lead to bigger cracks and eventually, the spring can snap.

It is therefore important that the condition of the coil springs are checked regularly, to prevent further, more expensive, damage to the car. A broken coil spring will render the car unsafe to drive. In some cases, the car will lean to one side upsetting the balance of the suspension. Moreover, the spring might puncture the tyre or the car's body can collapse onto the wheel leading to a potentially dangerous driving situation.

Problems with the coil springs that are not addressed timely and professionally can thus lead to a variety of other, more expensive, issues. Should you experience problems with a coil spring then it is advisable to have the system inspected and, if necessary, have the coil spring replaced.

To ensure a well-balanced suspension system the coil springs are, depending on which spring has failed, replaced in front pairs or rear pairs. Always service the coil spring as and when stipulated in the guidelines set out by your car's manufacturer.

What happens during a Coil Spring replacement?

• The mechanic will inspect the suspension system and coil springs in detail.
• If necessary, the mechanic will replace the front or rear pair of coil springs.
• The mechanic will advise if other components need to be replaced.
• The mechanic will check the suspension again and test drive the car.
• If necessary, the mechanic will make adjustments.

What happens if I don’t replace a damaged coil spring?

Checking the condition of your car’s coil springs is recommended every 10,000 miles. But ultimately, coil springs can and do break.

The consequences depend on the design of the suspension and shape of the springs: on some cars, nothing will happen; on others, the car will sink down low; and in the worst case, a piece of stray spring can work loose and puncture a tyre.

Can I do a Coil Spring Replacement myself?

This isn’t recommended unless you have a specialised stand, which will support the car above ground while simulating the operation of the spring on the road so that its condition can be properly assessed.

By assessing the amount by which the spring is out of shape, a trained mechanic can usually tell whether the damage is enough to warrant a coil spring replacement.

If you have to replace a broken coil spring on the front suspension, the replacement spring must be of the correct rating. Because of this, it’s also recommended to swap them in pairs.

How common is a Coil Spring Replacement?

It’s actually a problem which is becoming more widespread. Some years ago, a car’s weight was not considered such a critical part of its design.
But now, with the quest for fuel economy and aerodynamic efficiency, the condition of its coil springs, the rest of its suspension, and the smoothness of the ride it gives can have a bearing on a car’s safety and the quality of the ride it gives.

As many cars generally become heavier, thanks to the increasing numbers of safety features being built into them, that also affects the comfort of traveling in a car, especially over roads with damaged surfaces.

And the deterioration in many road surfaces themselves is leading to many more car suffering suspension damage, and coil springs need to be replaced as a result.

What are common Coil Spring brands on the market?

Monroe and Bilstein are among brands which are familiar among car fans and used in many high-performance car makes.

Are there any differences in Coil Springs used in old and new vehicles or petrol, diesel or electric vehicles?

Newer cars have the drawback of often being fitted with lighter, thinner springs. Mainly done to help reduce weight, this means, though, that a broken coil spring and associated problems are becoming more common.

Another possible problem with modern, lighter coil springs is that they are more prone to damage caused by salt and other contaminants which lead to rust.

But the propulsion method of a car has no bearing on the type of coil spring, so many of the parts are common across a wide range of vehicles.

How to extend the lifetime of your Coil Springs?

Careful driving is the main tactic here because many cases where a front coil spring replacement is needed are caused by contact with a pothole or other damage to the road surface.

But not having your car overloaded is also wise, If the suspension has to bear more weight, a nasty bump in the road has more chance of damaging the coil springs to a point where they need to be changed.

A broken coil spring will affect your comfort while driving, and ultimately, could lead to wider suspension damage.

How much does a Coil Spring Replacement cost?

The cost of a coil spring replacement depends on your car and what parts your car's manufacturer recommends using for the replacement. Find out what you could save by having your coil spring replaced by ClickMechanic, by selecting your car at the top of this page!