Do I need to replace the coil springs in my car - they're corroded?

Your MOT pass does not guarantee that the spring will last for a year. It is just an pass/fail assessment of the items in the test at the time. An advisory notice does not actually form part of the test and is just the tester's opinion: they might break tomorrow or they might last 2 years.

Coils springs can (and do) break. We are replacing springs on an almost daily basis at the garage.

What happens if they break depends 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 on the worst ones a piece of the spring will go through the tyre and burst it.

It's entirely up to yourself if you want to replace them. You should always get them done in pairs to avoid having one new and one worn spring. Springs generally cost £30-60 each plus about an hour's labour per side (some take less).

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RE:

Do I need to replace the coil springs in my car - they're corroded?

Hi

I've just had my MOT and although it passed, I was told that both my front coil springs were corroded.

On my service 3/4 months before this they had said that one of them was looking a bit corroded too...

Question is, should I replace them? I may be selling the car in about 2...

Coil Spring Car

Hi,

Coil-springs are something I usually change for the stiffer, lower variety, (along with uprated Anti-Roll Bars, polyurethane bushes and stiffer, usually adjustable, gas shock-absorbers) to improve the handling of a car - I just don't get on with standard suspension systems!

Ebay carry a set of 4 springs, which will lower the car by either 30 or 40 mm, for a little over 100pounds. I sure HAVE seen cars with broken coil springs, (when a coil or two break off, the spring tends to expand violently upwards, to fill where the part broke off - the car will sit lower on that corner) I have seen broken springs at the side of the road, and I wouldn't want to be driving a car when one broke!

I would change them, definitely. A stiffer, lower set will make the car look better, and handle a lot better. Changing them is a specialist job for a garage, and not for the beginner!

I have been repairing and racing cars for 46 years. I have never seen a coil spring break. Only once have I seen a leaf spring break. They just sag. Having said that, I guess they could. I wouldn't want the liability of telling you not to replace them as you will probably lose control and roll the car when they do break which they will not.

Sounds to me like someone in the repair shop needs a little extra money for Christmas. Springs can break but it's rare unless you live in an extremely corrosive environment.Give them a good squeeze and a twist with a large pair of pliers and chances are you will see it's just the paint or the protective plastic covering peeling off.Toyota's are not known for coil spring problems.If it was a Ford I would tell you to rush in and have them changed right away. :)

"THE CAR" is WHAT??? Buick?? FORD??? JAP?? Euro?? Different cars have different answers. Replacing the coils will be necessary, but different manufacturers make different spring weight coils for different apps. Don't forget that the shocks or strut qualities will change the way things ride, as well.

Clean the coils off real good with high pressure water or high pressure air and a solvent. Check any retainer clips or bolts that may be rusted through, replace any that are severely corroded. Check each individual ring of the coil for pitting . If pitted replace the coils, If not pitted paint them with a good quality paint to inhibit further corrosion. If they are not severely pitted they will most likely not snap, If they are severely pitted and collapse or break you could lose control of your car and crash.

To me it is straightforward. If the springs were in a dangerous condition, i.e. likely to fail within 12 months, the car would have failed the mot. If you are keeping the car, replace the springs. If you plan to sell within the next 6 months forget it as it will be for the next owner to decide what to do.

out of driving 35 yrs ive never had to replace any spring ive replace shocks and struts ive never had a spring go bad and yes speed bumps will mess up a car an dif your planing or thinking about selling it why put money into it