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.

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!