Coil springs are a vital part of a car’s suspension system that helps absorb vibrations from the road. Just like any other part of the car, coil springs can wear out and lose their properties over time.
Worn coil springs can lead to a number of issues. Thankfully, before these issues present themselves, worn coil springs will show a number of symptoms.
In this article, we’ll talk about what causes coil spring wear, how to know your coil springs are bad, are OE or aftermarket better, and much more. If you’re interested in knowing how to tell if your coil springs are bad, keep reading.
What Causes Coil Spring Wear?
There are a couple of reasons why coil springs can wear out. Some are more common than others. Here’s a list of the most common ones.
Age and Mileage
If your car is maintained properly, the most common reason for coil spring wear is their age and the mileage you’ve covered. Coil springs are made from metal, which is a hard material. Even when used in ideal conditions, the coil springs can weaken, making them lose their functionality to a certain level.
Very old coil springs are also prone to breaking, so make sure to check them regularly, especially if you drive an older car with no history of coil spring service.
Road Conditions
Bad road conditions are the biggest culprit for bad suspension components. Carrying the weight of the car is stressful enough for the suspension, let alone absorbing shocks from potholes and uneven roads.
The worse the road conditions are, the more likely you’ll need to replace certain suspension components faster. On bumpy roads, coil springs will be exposed to additional stress, leading to faster wear time.
Hauling Heavy Loads in Your Car
Another common cause for premature coil spring wear is continuously hauling or towing heavy loads. Your car’s manufacturer has fitted coil springs specifically for the weight of the car and its weight capacity, however, most cars aren’t made for towing and hauling heavy loads. When a passenger vehicle is used for such types of transport, it’s expected that the suspension components will wear out faster.
Corrosion
Corrosion is a common issue when it comes to coil spring wear, but only for vehicles driven in a colder climate where road salt is used. Although it helps keep the road less slippery, it also significantly increases the risk of corrosion, especially if you don’t wash your car regularly.
Coil springs in older vehicles are more prone to corrosion, as they’ve been out there for longer. That said, coil springs are treated with a layer of protective paint, but they can get chipped by debris, making the coil spring vulnerable to road salt. Once corrosion starts, the effectiveness of the springs drops, and it will eventually lead to premature wear.
Improper Installation
Lastly, human error can lead to faster coil spring wear. This happens when non-compatible coil springs are used, and when inexperienced individuals try to replace coil springs. Even though the process doesn’t seem too complicated, mistakes happen. Improperly installed coil springs can affect all other suspension components regardless of how the car is used.
How to Tell You Have Bad Coil Springs?
Bad coil springs show a number of symptoms, some of which include the following.
Uneven and Excessive Tire Wear
It’s highly unlikely that two coil springs will wear out evenly, so when checking your tires, compare the thread of both tires on each axle. Uneven and excessive tire wear is not just a sign of potentially bad coil springs, but they can be a safety hazard due to their reduced performance and handling capabilities.
Reduced Ride Quality and Handling
A clear indicator that you have bad coil springs is reduced ride quality. If one or more of your car’s coil springs are bad, they won’t be able to absorb vibrations from the road as well as they should. Not only will this affect the ride quality, but the handling will be affected, too.
Lower Ride Height Than Normal
Lower ride height is a classic sign of failing coil springs. A lower ride height will usually be followed by reduced ride quality and comfort, but you’ll also likely notice a difference in ride height in different corners of the car.
Visibly Cracked or Broken Coil Spring
Lastly, the most obvious sign that you have bad coil springs is that there’s a visible crack or damage on them. If you notice a cracked or broken coil spring, you should immediately replace it with a new one.
It’s extremely unsafe to drive with a damaged suspension component due to the potential danger it could cause. It’s also recommended to replace both coil springs on the same axle at the same time to maintain proper balance and avoid faster wear of other suspension components and tires.
Replacement Coil Springs — OE or Aftermarket?
If and when you notice that your coil springs are due for replacement, you’ll find that you have two options to choose from – OE coil springs, or aftermarket coil springs. Each has its pros and cons, so we’ll list them to make your choice a little bit easier.
Keep in mind that there is no best choice when it comes to coil springs — it all depends on your personal preferences, budget, and the type of features you’re looking for.
OE Coil Springs
OE coil springs are made to the exact same specifications as those that were factory fitted. They’ll provide the same ride quality and predictable handling, and they’re the best choice if you plan on using your car exclusively as a daily driver. There are a few pros and cons to replacing your old coil springs with OE ones.
The pros include original factory specifications and standards, perfect fit with no additional modifications needed, and predictable handling and comfort. The cons include cost whereas OE coil springs can cost significantly more than aftermarket replacements and the fact that it’s difficult to find OE springs for some older vehicles.
Aftermarket Coil Springs
Aftermarket coil springs can provide similar features to OE springs, however, they’re made for specific purposes. Just like OE coil springs, aftermarket ones have pros and cons too.
Pros of using aftermarket coil springs include a more affordable price compared to OE springs, a bigger variety of choices for specific needs, and the availability for a wide range of car models.
The cons, on the other hand, include the need for certain modifications to fit the coil springs properly, questionable performance capabilities, and different quality depending on the manufacturer.
We Have Quality Coil Springs
Because coil springs are an essential part of the suspension system, and they’re directly responsible for the handling capabilities of your car, it’s recommended to always pick the best possible quality, no matter if you choose OE springs or aftermarket ones.
Find a wide range of coil springs for almost any European vehicle at eEuroparts.com. All you need to do is simply select your car’s year, make and model. This way, you’ll find parts that are compatible with your vehicle. We stock products from some of the most reputable brands in the business.
