Mini Coil Spring replacement made easy

Whilst there are difference between vehicles, there are some basic processes across most;

• The mechanic will raise the vehicle and 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.

Usually, you can notice something is amiss with a coil spring as some of the conditions are quite noticeable such as;

• The vehicle is noticeably lower on one side
• There is uneven steering, or even veering off to one side
• There are rattles and knocks when going over uneven road surfaces.

However, there are occasions where a coil spring has broken right at the bottom and it’s therefore not always that obvious. It has also been known for the coil springs on both sides to break within a short time of each other, especially if the vehicle has been parked up for some time, so the obvious leaning to one side isn’t quite so evident.

A front coil springs replacement on average takes around 2 hour, but can take anywhere from just over 1 hour to 3 hours. A rear coil springs replacement takes on average 1 hour, but can take up to around 1.5 hours. Ultimately, the time that the job will take will depend on a number of factors, like your vehicle's make and model, year, as well as other factors. Select your car at the top of this page for information on job time and cost for your vehicle through ClickMechanic.

As soon as you are aware that a coil spring has broken, it must be replaced - and BOTH sides will need to be done at the same time.

As coil springs get older, their strength decreases and therefore the function of both absorbing the uneven surfaces and keeping the wheels in contact with the road surface is reduced. Whilst this factor isn’t of major significance when both springs are of the same age (as they will be even on both sides, if you only fit a new spring on one side it will unbalance the vehicle. This will result in significantly upsetting the handling and road holding, and can cause a major issue under braking resulting in the car veering to one side.

With worsening road conditions and heavier vehicles, coil springs are subjected to more strain now than they were 20 years ago. Therefore coil spring replacements are a regular occurrence these days.

Whilst there isn’t much you can do on a day to day basis about rough road surfaces, pot holes etc, taking care over traffic calming measures and avoiding anything that will give the car a jolt will improve the lifetime of a coil spring.

Vehicles do not like being left stationary for a long period of time. This is very much the case for coil springs, which tend to break more frequently when left!

There is usually no set replacement interval for coil springs, however they do deteriorate over time and can snap. How long the coil springs last will depend on a number of factors like the quality of the part and how the vehicle is used.

Coil springs break when they are overloaded beyond their capacity. This can happen when a vehicle hits a large pothole or bump, or when the spring is corroded or has cracks.

During colder temperatures, coil spring can suffer accelerated rusting due to the exposure to moisture, lower temperature and road salt.

Coil springs can last anywhere from 50,000 miles to the entire lifetime of the vehicle, however, this number can vary depending on driving habits and external factors such as climate and road conditions. It is important that coil springs are replaced immediately if found to be corroded or damaged.

Yes, many local garages are able to offer collection and delivery for a coil spring replacement on your Mini. With ClickMechanic collection & delivery is free if your vehicle is drivable. Once booked a mechanic will pick up the vehicle on the day and time of your choice, do the work, and return the vehicle at a time convenient to you. Simply enter your vehicle registration number and postcode to get an upfront price for a coil spring replacement on your Mini.

Yes, mobile mechanics can do a coil spring replacement at your home or office on your Mini, provided there is a safe and sufficient space to conduct the repair or replacement. With ClickMechanic, once booked for a date and time of your choice, your booking will be offered to vetted mobile mechanics in your area.