How to check springs?

Of all suspension elements, the easiest way to assess the condition of metal spring elements is in the form of various types of springs.

You can see the inclined or clearly "lowered" position of the unloaded car body, standing on a flat horizontal surface naked eye. This condition proves that one or all of the spring elements of the vehicle have lost their elasticity due to internal structural changes or as a result of mechanical damage. In passenger cars, coil springs are mainly used as steel spring elements. They can only transmit axial forces, so they are most often used in independent suspensions. Considering the shape of cylindrical springs, a distinction is made between cylindrical, conical and barrel springs. The characteristics of such springs can also be different, i.e. dependence of the deflection on the applied force. In addition to springs with a linear characteristic, springs with a progressive characteristic are used, obtained in the case of a cylindrical helical spring thanks to a wire of variable cross section.

Helical springs are not subject to repair, but only to verification, which consists in comparing the length of a free spring with the length of a spring under a strictly defined load. When the deflection exceeds the allowable limits, the spring must be replaced. It is usually recommended to replace both springs on the same axle, even if only one of them has excessive wear.