Replacing Coil Springs: The Warning Signs Of Worn Out Springs

It's okay to admit that you want your ride to have at least a little bit of comfort, even if you have an aggressive stance, massive mud tires, and rugged-looking wheels. If you want that comfort, taking care of your coil springs or upgrading your suspension springs is the way to go. Coil springs can last for 60,000 or beyond 300,000 miles, so no matter the mileage, it's time to check on your springs. In this article, we take you through several signs that indicate you need suspension spring replacements.

5 Signs You Need New Coil Springs

When it comes to signs that you need new coil springs, we have some good news and some bad news. Starting with the good, you'll probably notice right away that your ride will become uncomfortable, uneven, or even hard to drive.

On the other hand, many of these issues are things that have to be replaced immediately, and waiting too long can result in damage to the surrounding components. We take you through five signs that you need new coil springs below.

1. Uneven Tire Wear

One of the biggest indicators that it's time to replace your coil springs is uneven tire wear. Since most springs won't wear out at the same time, the failing spring will become quite obvious as your truck begins to sag. This sagging will result in excessive wear on your tires but not where it should be. Make sure you take a look at your tires for signs that your springs are wearing them down unevenly, and if you need new tires consider upgrading to premium Nitto Tires to make the most out of your truck’s suspension.

2. Bouncing and Bottoming Out

When your truck starts to bounce a lot it's time for new suspension springs. These springs should give your truck the leeway it needs to traverse the road without bouncing all over the place. Along with bouncing, you may find that your truck is bottoming out on obstacles it otherwise wouldn't, which is common if you’re off-roading.

3. Uneven Ride Height

When your coil springs are wearing out you may notice that your ride height is no longer even. One side might sit higher than the other or your stance may seem a few inches lower than you remember. Regardless, any type of change in your ride height that's not your doing is a sign that you need new suspension springs.

4. Reduced Ride Quality and Poor Handling

Are you starting to have problems with your steering? Or is your wheel vibrating excessively? If so, it might be time to check on your suspension springs. Depending on how bad your coil springs are, you might also notice a reduction in ride quality. The road might feel bumpier than usual. This can become an even bigger problem if you're noticing issues when you’re hitting the trails.

5. Signs of Damage on the Spring

Last but definitely not least, if you want to see if a spring is broken take a look at it. If you see cracks in the spring or chunks of the spring missing, well, you know it's time to replace it. Even if the other spring looks okay, make sure you replace both springs on that axle or your ride will be uneven, which can be dangerous.

Factors that Contribute to Coil Spring Wear

Replacing your suspension springs is rarely fun. Not only are the springs a pain to work with if you go the DIY route, but you may not be able to get behind the wheel for a while if you want a specific setup. For these reasons, it's a good idea to know some factors that contribute to spring wear, and we cover the most common below.

• Corrosion – Drive somewhere that sees snow? Unfortunately, that snow comes with salt and that salt will eat away at your coil springs.
• Time – Nobody can outrun father time, not even your coil springs, so expect them to weaken over time.
• Extra stress – Make sure you have a good idea of what your springs can handle because adding too much weight can damage them. Aggressive driving and off-roading can also place stress on your springs.
• Temperature changes – Live in a climate that has harsh winters and hot summers? These changes in temperatures can alter the shape of the spring.

To ensure that your coil springs last as long as possible, try and mitigate these factors.

Replace Your Coil Springs with AmericanTrucks

If it's time to replace your suspension springs you've come to the right place. That said, instead of choosing a factory-style coil spring, consider upgrading to performance replacement coil springs from brands like Fox. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter if you need OEM-style coil springs or premium performance racing coil springs, we have everything you need. Shop online and get assistance from our sales techs on all the suspension parts and accessories you need.