Replacing Coil Spring Cost

Richard53

I had a front coil spring break on a Mondeo. From memory, it was about £75 to have it replaced. I decided to have both sides done, on the basis that the cost was modest and (perhaps wrongly) that the other wouldn't be far behind - the car had done about 60k miles. I was glad I did, because with the new springs the front of the car was riding about an inch higher, measured from ground to wheelarch. Clearly, the springs had sagged in the 7-8 years since the car was made. If I had only had one side done, the car would have been sagging to one side.

BeenThroughItAll

Richard53 wrote: »

I had a front coil spring break on a Mondeo. From memory, it was about £75 to have it replaced. I decided to have both sides done, on the basis that the cost was modest and (perhaps wrongly) that the other wouldn't be far behind - the car had done about 60k miles. I was glad I did, because with the new springs the front of the car was riding about an inch higher, measured from ground to wheelarch. Clearly, the springs had sagged in the 7-8 years since the car was made. If I had only had one side done, the car would have been sagging to one side.

Or they fitted the wrong springs?

I say that only because none of the springs I've ever changed have been on cars under 9-10yo, and I've never had any appreciable difference in ride height between old and new save a couple of mm - and that includes cars with big, heavy V8 petrol and V6 diesel engines.

LeafGreen

OP here, thanks everyone. from what I can gather, the amount the garage have quoted seems quite high - I might phone around and see what other quotes I can get for both sides to be done - although I guess I'll end up paying again for the tracking if I take it elsewhere it could still work out cheaper. I need to get the MOT done soon anyway. I could do without spending £300 for both sides but safety has to come first!

BeenThroughItAll

grahamgoo wrote: »

OP here, thanks everyone. from what I can gather, the amount the garage have quoted seems quite high - I might phone around and see what other quotes I can get for both sides to be done - although I guess I'll end up paying again for the tracking if I take it elsewhere it could still work out cheaper. I need to get the MOT done soon anyway. I could do without spending £300 for both sides but safety has to come first!

So only do one side then, and save £150.

Joe_Horner

^^^ Wot he said.

Changing one really doesn't impact on safety at all!


eta: looking round the net it seems that £150 / side is fairly typical for front springs on a Yaris.

bigadaj

Joe_Horner wrote: »

^^^ Wot he said.

Changing one really doesn't impact on safety at all!


eta: looking round the net it seems that £150 / side is fairly typical for front springs on a Yaris.

And it's only got front brakes so should be cheaper still.

Richard53

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

Or they fitted the wrong springs?

I don't think so. I had been thinking for a while that the front of the car looked a bit low to the ground (compared with how it used to be, and other similar cars I observed around the place), and with the new springs it looked right again.

bris

I did my sons 2012 Yaris myself after he had an accident, although it wasn't the spring it was the strut. Didn't need a spring but the old one obviously had to come out to get swapped over. I bought a spring compression set from Ebay for about 12 quid and it took me about 2 hours. There was a bit stripping out under the bonnet to get to the top bolt but it was all pretty straight forward. Wishbone had to be changed at the same time. If you can use a socket set you can do it yourself, it's pretty straight forward.


I suppose not many people are confident enough to have a go but in the end it's all just nuts and bolts. Surprisingly easy when you gain a little confidence and the camera on the phone ensures you know exactly what goes where when it comes to putting it all back in place.

Gloomendoom

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

I must have had about ten springs break over the last ten years or so, and not once have I ever changed both at the same time.

I had no idea that broken springs were such a common occurrance.

I have only had one spring break since I started driving in the late 70's. A rear leaf spring on a Morris Marina with about a million miles on the clock (NHX 566L if it is still about).

takman

grahamgoo wrote: »

The garage told me that one of the front springs was broken and should be replaced. They have quoted about £150 (I have already paid for tracking - not yet done - as part of the tyre fitting, otherwise that would be on top).

I would reccomend that you get full 4 wheel alignment done and not just the tracking as that is only one aspect of wheel alignment that can be out.

It also doesn't need to be expensive. I know a garage which has the latest hunter 4 wheel alignment equipment and only charge £39.95 for a full check of the alignment and adjustment of the front toe (which is what you get with basic tracking only anyway). You will then know if there are any issues at all with your cars suspension and wheel alignment and a check like this is essential for anyone who likes to keep their car in top condition.