Dec 6th 2020
What's The Cost for a Coil Spring Replacement?
What's The Cost for a Coil Spring Replacement?
- How much does it cost?
- How to replace coil springs safely
- Factors to consider when replacing coil springs
Replacing the coil springs on your truck will improve your vehicle's suspension. However, do you know the coil spring change price? Have you factored in the costs a mechanic charges you for the repair, in addition to the time you don't have your truck? Whether you want to cut costs on repairs or need to avoid sticker shock, learn about the cost to replace your truck's coil springs now before you have to get the job done.
What Are Signs of a Bad Coil Spring?
Failing coil springs will cause problems with handling and suspension. You may notice extra vertical movement — especially when you stop — as well as sagging, uneven tire wear or swaying.
While many vehicles will have the same set of coil springs for life, if you drive your truck over unstable roads or use it to haul heavy loads, your coil springs may fail or wear out.
If you suspect your truck's coils have worn out, look under it for signs of rust or sagging of the coils. To ensure your truck rides evenly, replace coil springs in pairs — for instance, both front coil springs at once. Your vehicle will have a more even ride when the coil springs match in their load capacity and age.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Coil Spring at a Shop?
When you take your truck to a mechanic to get a replacement coil spring, you may find yourself spending an average of $350 to $422. The actual price will vary depending on your vehicle, location, type of spring replaced and whether you need additional services. Labor costs typically range between $133 and $168, while you may spend $217 to $254 for the parts. Also, if the shop has to order a new coil spring for your truck, you may not have your vehicle for several days.
Worn or damaged coil springs need replacement, rather than repair. Once a coil spring wears out, the only way to restore the truck's suspension is through installing a new one. The coil spring acts to support your truck, and if wear or damage reduces its ability to do that, you cannot restore it to its former capability.
How Much Is Coil Spring Replacement When You Do It on Your Own?
If you have the know-how and tools to replace your truck's coil springs, you can tackle the job yourself and spend half as much as you would by taking your vehicle to a mechanic. You will only need to pay for the cost of the parts and for any necessary tools you don't currently own.
The prices of coil springs range widely depending on the make, model and year of your vehicle, coil spring replacement costs a range from $70 to $167. These prices still cost less than the average charged per coil spring by most shops. Buying the parts directly from a suspension parts company helps reduce your front coil spring cost because you don't have to pay the overhead a mechanic does when the shop buys parts for installing on your truck.
Generally, because trucks have heavier weights and need more robust suspension parts, the coil springs for trucks tend to cost more than those for cars. However, the extra strength of truck coil springs will provide the support your vehicle needs.
By installing DIY coil springs, you will spend less money than taking your truck to a mechanic's shop. The money you save is the amount of labor the shop would charge you for the repair. Additionally, you will likely save time because you can complete the replacement in an afternoon, instead of taking your truck to a mechanic for the entire day or multiple days.
Set aside at least a few hours for completing the project. Give yourself a full day if this repair is the first major part replacement you've done on your truck.
In addition to two replacement coil springs, one per side, you will need to plan to remove other parts from your truck to access the springs. To complete the job, you will have to take off the ball joint, the brake rotor and brake calipers. Tools you will need for the coil spring replacement include the following:
- Jack and jack stand
- Coil spring compressor
- Ball joint remover
- Crowbar
Do not attempt to do this project without a proper coil spring compressor. The coil springs have a high amount of tension in them. If you do not have a tool to hold them down, you could sustain severe injuries from the spring releasing.
This tool allows you to slowly compress the new spring to put it into place. You may also need to compress the old spring to remove it. Once you purchase this tool, you will not need to do so again for future coil spring replacements. If you have more than one truck, an investment in this tool will be wise. Buying a ball joint remover will help you with any additional future repairs of your truck's suspension system.
How Urgent Is It to Replace Coil Springs?
If you have a damaged coil spring, do not continue to drive your vehicle. Driving with a broken coil spring could cause further damage. Additionally, the loss of handling can make driving dangerous. Vehicle swaying could make you lose control of your truck and get into a wreck. Don't drive your truck until you can replace the coil springs.
How Often Do You Need to Replace Coil Springs?
Because coil springs last as long as they can support your truck's weight and the loads you carry, you do not have to plan on paying the coil spring repair cost regularly. However, if you get into an accident and have other damage to your suspension, you may also need to replace the coil springs. Carrying too much for your truck's rated load capacity can also prematurely wear out your springs.
Watch out for signs of worn springs. These indications will tell you how often you need to replace the coil springs. If you have the correct springs for the loads your truck carries and your vehicle, you should not need to change them unless they sustain direct damage.
Save Money on Your Coil Spring Replacement Cost With General Spring
When you need to cut costs without impacting your truck's ride, order coil springs from us at General Spring. We've been in the business of providing suspension components since 1965. With our extensive stock and fast shipping, you can get the coil springs you need without wasting time. Shop in our online store for coil springs to match your truck's make and model for better handling and a safer ride.
How to Replace Coil Springs Safely
Have you noticed your vehicle bouncing around a bit more than usual? It may be time to change the springs on your truck. The coil spring of a vehicle is used to store and release energy the car or truck creates through movement. A coil spring helps the suspension in your car absorb the shock of rough terrain and provides a smoother driving experience. Driving over potholes or gravel roads will feel much smoother with the help of coil springs to support your truck and even out the bumpy ride.
With the right tools and safety precautions, you can do a front coil spring repair or replacement from home. Learn the steps to remove and replace the coil springs in your truck.
Why You Should Replace Coil Springs
Coil springs provide support to a vehicle at a given height and work with the suspension system to absorb bumps in the road. Replacing the coil springs in your truck prevents it from sagging, which can lead to issues with steering and handling and uneven wearing on the tires.
Like many other parts of a vehicle, coil springs are susceptible to a lot of wear and tear, causing them to weaken over time. This is especially true of heavy-duty vehicles like trucks that are commonly driven off-road or used for towing. As coil springs weaken or deteriorate, you may notice bottoming-out sounds or clunking because the coils are no longer able to stabilize the weight of the truck. Replacing the coil springs can significantly improve the way your truck rides and handles.
As the metal deteriorates, there is potential for the coil spring to break. A broken coil spring has the potential to puncture the sidewall of a tire, causing a flat or blowout. This is extremely dangerous, making regular maintenance and check-ups on the coil springs of your vehicle critical. Ideally, you should inspect the coil springs every time you replace any type of suspension component.
While the coil springs in your truck may be the last thing on your mind, replacing worn springs will make all the difference in the way your vehicle rides and can help keep you safe. Regular maintenance is crucial to extending the life of your vehicle, so it's important that you know how to replace coil springs properly and what tools you need to do the repair effectively and safely.
Tools You Need to Perform a Coil Spring Replacement
If you regularly work on your vehicle, you may already have many of the tools on our list. However, there may be a few special tools that are necessary for changing springs on a car that you might need to get before starting. For any tools you may be missing, consult with your local automotive store. You may be able to borrow or rent tools from them. To replace coil springs, you'll need the following tools:
- Socket set with ratchet
- Coil spring compressor
- Pickle fork or ball joint separator
- A lug wrench or tire iron
- Car or truck jack and jack stands
- Wrenches
- Pliers or wire cutters
- Wheel blocks
How to Change Coil Springs
Changing the coil springs on your truck is a fairly technical project and can be potentially dangerous. Be careful when handling coil springs, especially when they are under tension. Doing so will help prevent you from sustaining an injury or damaging your vehicle. Use safety protection and follow these steps to learn how to remove springs on your truck and successfully replace them.
Step 1: Raise the Vehicle
First, loosen the lug nuts so they're easier to remove later. Then, using a car jack or hydraulic jack, raise the vehicle off of the ground high enough that you will be able to reach the coil springs. Be sure to put safety first and secure the vehicle with jack stands and wheel blocks to ensure the truck cannot slip off of the jacks, which can cause serious harm. Work on a level surface and put the truck in park before raising it.
Step 2: Remove the Wheel
This step will look different depending on the vehicle you're working on because the setup can vary. Using the method for the truck you're repairing, remove the front wheels after the car is safely on the jack stands or wheel blocks.
Step 3: Remove the Ball Joint and Strut
Find a socket that fits the lower ball joint. Using the correct sized socket, remove the ball joint from the control arm. To separate the control arm and spindle stud, jack the rotor up. The control arm and spindle can create friction, so use the pickle fork to help separate them.
To remove the strut, lift the hood and look for mounting bolts. These hold the strut into your vehicle's body. You'll want to remove the nuts, setting them somewhere safe to reuse when you replace other components in your truck. With the nuts removed, you should be able to move the strut out of its place.
Step 4: Compress the Coil Spring
Use a reliable coil spring compressor device to compress the spring. You should place the compressor brackets at 180 degrees and tighten them evenly — that should take between eight to 10 turns per bracket. Once they have been tightened securely and compressed safely, it's time to remove the bolt at the top of the strut. This will now allow you to remove the coil spring.
Keep in mind, this step is dangerous because of the potential of the spring to unexpectedly come uncoiled and cause serious harm to you or your vehicle. Remain completely alert throughout the entirety of this maintenance process while following all safety precautions.
Step 5: Install a New Coil Spring and Strut
You are now just about ready to install your new coil spring into your truck. First, compress the new coil spring in the same manner that you did with the old coil spring. When you have the coil compressor tightened onto the coil spring, now you can place it on the strut. Slip the lower end of the coil spring into a groove at the bottom of the strut.
Once this step is complete, refasten the top bolt and ensure it's tightened. Remove the compressor once you have ensured that everything is securely installed. Your final step is to remember to replace all the bolts, then jack the rotor back up to bolt the spindle and control arm together again.
Buy Coil Springs From General Spring KC
Replacing front coil springs can be a simple process if you know what you're doing and you have trusted, reliable parts. Be confident in the parts you use on your truck when you buy from General Spring KC. We have been the industry leader in high-quality coil springs and replacement parts for commercial and passenger trucks since 1965. From heavy-duty coil springs to leaf springs, we have everything you need to get your truck riding like new.
Browse the General Spring KC catalog of heavy-duty coil springs to find parts for your truck, or contact us for more information.
Factors to Consider When Replacing Coil Springs
Your suspension system literally keeps your wheels on the road. Without proper suspension holding the wheels and axles away from the body of your car, van, truck, or SUV your entire vehicle would bounce up and down the road at every bump. This would mean you don’t have adequate tire traction making contact with the road for either steering or stopping. You rely on your car or truck to keep your wheels on the road, and your car or truck relies on your suspension system to allow the axles to move along even on rough terrain.
However, your suspension system relies on the coil and leaf springs to be in good working order for all of this to happen and keep you safe. If your coil springs are beginning to wear, it is wise to ensure that you get a good replacement so that your vehicle can safely return to the road without suffering similar problems to those that cause you to need a replacement.
Road Salt Can Cause the Rusting of Coil Springs
Not all coil springs are the same, and some are better with handling the harsh conditions of road salt and chemicals than others. If you are finding that you need to replace your coil springs because it they are rusting and weakening, consider going with a manufacturer that can custom design your coil springs. The team at General Spring can help you design the right one.
Larger Loads Require Heavy Duty Coil Springs
If you are using your truck to haul heavy loads, it is important to know what the maximum capacity your suspension can handle. Springs will lose their ability to spring back from compression over time as the steel stretches, and this can happen faster when loads larger than the spring is rated for are applied. If you are overloading your suspension, you can be prematurely wearing out your springs. If you need to haul a heavy load, and your regular coil springs are not up to the job, why not consider heavy-duty coil springs to improve the load capacity of your vehicle without changing out your entire suspension system?
Quality Suspension Products and Superior Customer Service
At General Spring we know that you want your suspension system to work, so we have dedicated a lot of time to gathering the knowledge required to help you find the right product for your needs the first time around. We have been experts in the automotive suspension business for almost 50 years. We understand what it takes to provide the best customer service when you are replacing your coil springs or other suspension system equipment.
General Spring can also ship the suspension products you need across the country or around the world. Call us locally at 913-829-0619 or toll free at 1-888-829-0619 to find out more about our selection of replacement coil springs. When you need replacement parts for your suspension, General Spring definitely has the products and service you need.