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.
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.
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.
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, with 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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Diagnosing a spring as faulty is simple is the spring is cracked, broken, or if the vehicle is leaning to one side, however, if the vehicle has excessive body roll, but the vehicle sits level, the ride height at all four wheels, the spring height on all four springs, and the tire pressure will all be recorded. This information will be compared to factory specifications, and diagnosis will recommend those outside of allowable tolerance to the specification be replaced. For rattles and squeaks, the pads will be diagnosed just by noting their appearance. If cracked, rotted, deteriorated, or heavily weathered, they will be recommended for replacement.
When changing independent coil springs, the job is just as involved, and just as dangerous as changing coil springs on a strut. Except independent coil springs are more cumbersome, as the tension is released from the spring while it is still in the car, instead of on the wall, or the bench. Once the vehicle is raised, and the wheel, brake caliper, brake caliper mount, brake rotor, and any other obstacles are removed, a safety chain is placed through the coil spring, and lower control arm, ensuring the spring can not take flight if stress is relieved suddenly. The technician then places a jack underneath the control arm, partially removes the castle nut for the lower ball joint, separates the ball joint from the steering knuckle, and raises the control arm to compress the spring enough to finish removing the castle nut on the ball joint. At that point, the jack is lowered slowly, and the spring gradually loses tension until it is observably loose. Installation is the reverse of removal, and new coil spring insulators (pads) should be installed.
The original springs for any vehicle were designed specifically for that vehicle, and have many properties besides their weight capacity and physical dimensions. Replacing springs with different properties will dramatically alter the driving feel of the vehicle, and handling characteristics. Before changing springs, we recommend consulting a professional technician to ensure the proper springs are selected. Cutting or heating springs to alter the vehicle's ride height is never recommended, and will create unpredictable, often uncontrollable driving conditions. When springs are altered, the characteristics of each spring will vary, producing undesirable conditions.
Coil springs integrated into struts can be replaced as part of the entire unit. There are many parts suppliers and manufacturers that offer pre-assembled struts including the coil spring. This method will lower the risk of replacing the strut or coil spring.
The coil springs can be replaced at home if the entire process, and all safety measures are understood. It is critical to understand coil springs are under tremendous tension, and releasing a compressed spring can result in injury, or death. If coil springs are not completely understood, as well as safety measures for disassembly, a professional technician should complete the repair.