How long do suspension springs last?

Most modern cars have shock absorbers at the rear and spring/strut assemblies at the front. Both the struts and shocks work very similarly, and the biggest difference between the two setups is the presence of suspension springs up front…

Most modern cars have shock absorbers at the rear and spring/strut assemblies at the front. Both struts and shocks work very similarly, and the biggest difference between the two setups is the presence of suspension springs at the front (note that some cars have suspension springs at the rear).

Suspension springs are made from helical steel and are usually painted to resist rust and wear. They are very strong (must be strong enough to support the weight of the front of the car and the engine while driving). Your suspension springs work all the time. They take a lot of stress when you're driving, but they also need to support the weight when the car is parked.

Over time, the suspension springs will begin to sag a bit and they may lose some of their "springiness". However, outright failure is very rare and most drivers will find their springs last the lifetime of the car. In doing so, they can be damaged, especially in the event of a crash, or if another suspension component fails, causing a cascade effect that damages the spring. They can also be damaged by rust and corrosion if the paint is worn off, exposing the base metal to the elements.

Although breakdowns are very rare and chances are high that you will never need to replace suspension springs, knowing a few signs of a potential problem can be very helpful. If the spring fails, your suspension could be damaged (the strut will be loaded significantly more than it was designed for).

• Vehicle tilts to one side
• The coil spring is obviously broken
• The spring shows rust or wear.
• Ride quality is worse than usual (may also indicate a bad shock/strut)

If you suspect that one of your vehicle's suspension springs has failed or is about to fail, a certified mechanic can help inspect the entire suspension and replace the failed suspension spring if necessary.