Should I replace both coil springs?

robyn1

Hey! I’m having my car fixed as I hit a speed bump and busted my coil spring in my front drivers side. The car is only 3 years only and only has 20,000 miles on it. The mechanic was surprised the coil spring was broke as he said they wouldn’t break naturally with the car being so young and having such little miles on it.

So my question is, should I replace both? I’ve read online that it is recommended both be replaced at the same time, but I assume this means when it breaks through them being old. Where as mine was broke through me hitting a speed ramp at 35mph at least. Although even still, would the other need replaced? Would it be worth while to replace the other one to? Will it break within the next few months if I don’t replace it? Thanks

AdrianC

It might, it might not. Nearside usually gets a harder time because of potholes and drainage covers, as well as kerbing, but if you do go and do daft things like hit speedbumps at 35mph...

robyn1

Obviously I didn’t mean to his the speed bump a 35mph lol! The arrows where worn of the speed bump plus it was nighttime so I literally just didn’t notice it until I’d already hit it, heard a bit of a bang and then every time I went over a speed ramp it was making a clunky noise on one side.. probably careless but a complete accident

AdrianC

Have you considered putting your headlamps on?

wgl2014

If was that one impact that caused the spring to (presumably) bottom out and snap I would suggest getting a decent inspection of the other suspension components to ensure they are not also damaged.

As for replacing the other spring... I probably would. For a relatively small cost you will have peace of mind.

Nobbie1967

I'd just do the one spring unless they found something amiss during the inspection. changing two springs will be twice the cost, so you're not saving money by getting them done at the same time. The other spring is probably fine.

macman

What does your mechanic advise?

Aylesbury_Duck

I had a nearside spring go just over a year ago after hitting a tiny pothole - it went with a massive bang at the time and the car was immediately undriveable. The damage must have occurred much earlier and that one small bump was enough to break it. I was fortunate it happened at low speed less than a mile from home and my local garage. My mechanic changed the spring and took a precautionary look at the other side, it looked fine and has been fine since. Best get it checked because you hit a speed hump with both front wheels? A good mechanic should have checked for you anyway.

Robisere

wgl2014 wrote: »

If was that one impact that caused the spring to (presumably) bottom out and snap I would suggest getting a decent inspection of the other suspension components to ensure they are not also damaged.

As for replacing the other spring... I probably would. For a relatively small cost you will have peace of mind.

As we are not told what car make/model, we cannot say how much for both springs.
OP, have you already had one spring replaced, or are you waiting to have that done? Ask for an inspection first and if the other spring is worn or damaged, having both done at the same time is obviously more economical. Although, at 20K miles, I doubt the other spring is damaged. Did you strike the speed bump with one side only?

wgl2014

Robisere wrote: »

As we are not told what car make/model, we cannot say how much for both springs.

Fair point however for most common cars the actual spring is not an expensive item (getting them fitted on the other hand ......)

Richard53

I had a spring break and replaced both front springs on the basis that if one has gone the other won't be far behind. I was glad I did, as the front of the car was a good 1" higher with the new ones, so just replacing one would have left the car lopsided. But that was a 10-year-old car. With a newer car I probably would just do the one side, but have the whole suspension checked in any case while the car was on a ramp.