Unexpected swaying during turns and excessive bouncing are likely signs that your car’s coil spring is on its last leg.
The spring is a helical-shaped suspension component that absorbs impacts from the road and supports your vehicle’s weight while driving, giving you a stable ride. Once it wears out and loses function, a replacement is necessary for your safety.
Worried the new coil springs may not fit your budget?
Relax! We’ll walk you through the coil spring replacement cost and share tips for choosing the right spring to keep your ride stable.
This Article Contains:
- How Much Does a Coil Spring Replacement Cost?
- Is It Worth Replacing the Broken Coil Spring?
- 6 Key Signs of Coil Spring Failure
- How Long Do Coil Springs Last?
- Can You Replace a Damaged Coil Spring Yourself?
- How Do You Choose the Right Coil Spring for Your Car?
How Much Does a Coil Spring Replacement Cost?
Here are the estimated expenses for changing a bad coil spring:
A. Range
The average cost of replacing a faulty coil spring is around $350 to $880 and covers:
- Parts’ cost: $220 to $380
- Labor cost: $130 to $500
B. Factors Affecting Cost
Additional aspects that impact your repair bill include:
- Vehicle make and model: High-performance and luxury vehicles require specialized replacement units, which tend to be costlier than those in standard cars, increasing your parts’ cost.
- Number of coil springs: Most cars have four springs — two each in the front and rear. If one rear coil spring fails on the rear axle, it’s generally recommended to replace both springs for even performance. However, changing more than one rear spring can increase your expenses.
- Spring type: There are typically two types of coil springs: constant rate and variable rate. The variable-rate coil springs are more expensive because of their complex design.
- Spring quality: You can consider aftermarket or original equipment manufacturer (OEM) springs for your car. OEM springs are expensive but are built of high-quality steel alloy that offers flexibility and durability. On the other hand, aftermarket springs are cheaper but made of lower-quality steel, which may affect their performance and lifespan.
- Extra repairs: In addition to replacing the bad coil spring, a professional technician will fix other damaged suspension components, such as shock absorbers and control arms. Changing the control arms alone will cost an additional $700.
Is It Worth Replacing the Broken Coil Spring?
Definitely!
If a coil spring (also called a suspension spring) wears out, your wheel alignment may get thrown off, resulting in bouncy rides. Prolonged driving with a cracked coil spring can also make it difficult to control your vehicle during braking or accelerating, which is extremely dangerous in traffic.
For your safety, visit a garage or call a mobile mechanic for assistance when you notice any red flags.
6 Key Signs of Coil Spring Failure
If you suspect your car has a malfunctioning coil spring, look out for these symptoms:
- Noises from your car’s suspension area: A worn or broken spring can cause unusual clunking or squeaking sounds as it shifts or rubs against other components.
- Sagging or uneven ride height: A damaged spring can’t properly support the vehicle’s weight, causing one corner to lean lower than the rest.
- Excessive vehicle body roll or swaying during turns: Weak springs reduce stability, making the car lean more than usual during cornering.
- The vehicle bounces excessively: A failing coil spring can’t absorb shocks effectively, causing the car to bounce when driving over speed bumps or uneven road surfaces.
- Premature tire wear: Uneven suspension can lead to poor alignment and irregular tire contact with the road, accelerating tread wear.
- Cracks or physical damage on the spring: During an inspection, if a mechanic finds a visibly broken spring with cracks or rust accumulation, they’ll immediately replace it.
How Long Do Coil Springs Last?
Coil springs generally last 50,000 to 100,000 miles. Their lifespan depends on the local driving conditions, weather, and spring quality.
However, you may have to schedule a coil spring repair sooner if,
- The spring’s protective coating has cracks, which may expose it to road salt and moisture, causing corrosion.
- The wheel alignment is off, which strains the suspension system and leads to premature wear of the coil spring.
- It’s damaged due to physical impact from driving over potholes or getting hit by road debris.
- It has a manufacturing defect.
Can You Replace a Damaged Coil Spring Yourself?
You should avoid a DIY coil spring replacement, as it’s a labor-intensive and highly technical repair. Without proper training and knowledge of car repairs, you risk injury from tensioned springs that could uncoil if you don’t handle them carefully.
Also, if you don’t tension the spring properly, it can strain other suspension components and affect your overall drive. For a secure replacement, you should call a professional technician.
Here’s an overview of the steps they’ll perform:
- Loosen the wheel lug nuts.
- Raise and secure the vehicle using jack stands.
- Remove the lug nuts and take off the wheel.
- Use a socket to remove the ball joint from the control arm.
- Lift the hood, detach the strut’s mounting bolts, and set them aside. Then, remove the strut assembly carefully.
- Use a compressor device to compress the old spring and loosen the bolt on top of the strut.
- Remove the old spring.
- Compress and tighten the new spring. Place it on the strut and fix the bolt at the top to secure the new spring.
- Remove the spring compressor device and reassemble the parts one by one.
How Do You Choose the Right Coil Spring for Your Car?
Follow these simple tips to identify and find the ideal coil spring for your vehicle:
- Ensure vehicle compatibility: The design of coil springs varies by vehicle make and model. For instance, sports cars use stiffer springs than standard sedans or SUVs. To know which spring suits your vehicle, refer to the owner’s manual.
- Assess your driving needs: If you tow heavy loads often or drive a truck, you’ll require heavy-duty coil springs for better suspension performance. However, if it’s for the daily commute and regular car driving, a standard OEM coil spring will work.
- Consider purchasing from trusted brands: Since coil springs are vital for ride stability and safety, avoid purchasing low-quality, cheap parts from unknown shops. You’ll find high-quality springs from multiple known brands that suit your vehicle and fall within your budget.
Tighten Up Your Coil Springs and Say Goodbye to Bumpy Rides
Suspension parts like the coil spring are vulnerable to damage from road debris and bumpy roads. However, since they’re fixed beneath the car, it’s easy to overlook them. That’s why timely checks are key to keeping them in shape.
Thankfully, AutoNation Mobile Service makes it easy. Our technicians can come to you, inspect your coil springs, and replace them on the spot. We also offer easy online bookings and are available seven days a week, so you can call us at your convenience.
Contact us, and our mobile mechanic will be at your driveway for a hassle-free coil spring replacement.