How to replace coil springs in front of car?

Steps to Replace Front Coil Springs 1 Loosen the lug nuts, then raise the front of the vehicle using a jack. Secure it with jack stands, and then remove the lug nuts and wheels.

Is there a safety chain for coil springs?

Careless handling of coil springs, especially under tension, can cause serious damage to the vehicle, property, and you. Use the proper spring compressor for the vehicle and suspension type you have. Many old school mechanics keep a 1/4 inch “safety chain” handy in case the compressor tool fails.

What kind of compressor do I need to change coil springs?

Compress the coil spring. You will need the external-type of compressor on most cars, as the lower spring perch isn’t big enough for the internal type to slip through. Again, make sure the coil compresses evenly. Remove the rear sway bar links (if equipped) and lower control arm nut and bolt (independent rear suspensions).

Where are the rear shocks on a car?

The rear shocks on most cars are secured at the bottom (to the differential/axle tube) with a single bolt and one or two up top, sometimes in the trunk or hatch area. Only the lower mount needs to be disconnected. Allow the shock to hang.

Steps to Replace Front Coil Springs 1 Loosen the lug nuts, then raise the front of the vehicle using a jack. Secure it with jack stands, and then remove the lug nuts and wheels.

Can a coil spring be replaced with a new nut?

Keep all the nuts safe so that you can use them to replace the new parts. Coil springs don’t come with replacement nuts. To remove the coil from the strut you must, above all, observe safety. The coil springs must be compressed before you undo the bolt at the top of the strut.

Can you remove the pins from coil springs?

You may want to use padding so the finish on your suspension parts doesn’t get scratched. The frame of the car won’t lift because it is strapped to the jack, so the jack will hold the lower A arm in place. Now, you can safely remove the outer pins so the end of the A arm is free.

What can I use to compression coil springs?

Coil spring compression tools are also available in the Advance Auto Parts Loaner Tool Program. When using a coil spring compressor – especially the two-piece kind – be sure the coils are evenly compressed or the tool can be damaged, allowing the coil to spring loose. Loosen the lug nuts, then raise the front of the vehicle using a jack.

How do you replace a coil spring?

Steps to Replace Front Coil Springs Loosen the lug nuts, then raise the front of the vehicle using a jack. Remove the brake caliper. Remove the tie rod ends and sway bar end links. Use pliers or side cutters to straighten and remove the cotter pins from the tie rod ends. Remove the front shocks. Compress the coil spring.

Do coil springs wear out?

Coil springs don’t wear out or lose their rate. Spring load determines how much load a spring can support at a given height. The rate only tells how much height will change as load is changed. A spring can lose its load height over time if steel is not heat treated properly.

Can coil springs go bad?

When coil springs go bad, it can cause a host of issues that are discomforting as well as dangerous. Without a set of coil springs that function and provide sufficient suspension for the weight of the truck, the movements of the vehicle are bound to become increasingly unstable and abrupt.

What is a coil spring suspension?

The Coil Spring is a type of suspension that is used on most modern vehicles. It consists of a heavy-duty spring coil that is fitted between the axle and the car’s chassis. The spring is, in essence, a coiled torsion bar that compresses and expands to absorb the motion of the car.

Do you need a compressor to remove a coil spring?

If your car is lowered, you may not need a spring compressor as removing the bolt from the rear shock will allow the suspension to “sag” enough to remove the spring or only require you to push down on the suspension to remove the coil. Compress the coil spring.

How do I replace the coil on my air conditioner?

Remove the ball joint nut and slowly lower the jack to allow the control arm to droop. Remove the coil spring. You may need to push or pry down on the control arm to do so. Remove the old coil from the compressor and compress the new spring. Install the new spring in its pocket, making sure both upper and lower “tails” are properly seated.

How to replace coil springs on a jeep?

This install is on a Jeep Cherokee but most trucks and suv’s with coil springs should be the same or similar. Update* –

Where is the spring code on a Ford truck?

More than likely the spring code will reside at the bottom-right of the tag where the VIN is (Panel of DRIVER SIDE Door). It will be a 2, 3, or 4 character code. Once you determine what your rear spring code is, you can select your vehicle and use the corresponding chart to determine the exact spring your Ford truck needs.

What’s the best way to compress coil springs?

Another way to compress the springs is to use the jack to lift the axle and compress the spring, then install the tool and drop the axle. While this sounds great in theory, it may or may not save you some time because the compressor tool often seems to get jammed doing it this way…

What’s the best way to remove a coil?

Slowly lower the jack down. The coil will be as decompressed as possible and can be removed using a pry bar. Insert the replacement spring into the spring pocket. This may take some leverage with the pry bar, depending on if it’s a lowering spring or a lift spring. Reassemble the front suspension in the reverse order of disassembly.

When do I need to replace my Springs?

If the vehicle fails any of these tests, then replace the springs. Then there is reality, when redoing a 30 year old truck with a bunch of miles on it, it is just a darn good idea to replace the springs. And don’t stop at the front springs, check the rear leaf springs and all 4 shocks.

Where is the shock absorber on a MacPherson coilover?

On “MacPherson strut” assemblies as well as coilovers, a shock absorber is fitted inside the center of the coil spring – and both are attached to the strut itself. On vehicles without struts, coil springs and shock absorbers are mounted separately.

Do you need to replace front coil springs?

However, eventually you will need to replace your coil springs (both front and rear). Front coil springs are more complicated than most rear coil springs as in most passenger cars, rear coil springs will be able to be changed at the same time. Simply drop the rear axle, slide the springs out, and install the new springs.

Where are the coil springs on a car?

Remove the lug nuts from the two rear wheels and slide each wheel off of the wheel studs. Use the socket wrench to remove the top mounting nuts of the two rear struts (located in the trunk, directly above the strut). This will allow the rear axle to lower to the floor. Crawl under the car and pull the coil springs out of their mounting brackets.

Where is the spring coil on a VW?

The spring coil is placed with the rubber (and ball-bearing, if rear) kit on this mount. please confirm if the steel spring is broken or just this mount assembly? However, if you don’t change the broken coil, it would spoil shocks system on the other sides too.

What’s the best way to replace front coil springs?

This is one of the most dangerous parts of vehicle maintenance and the spring can uncoil and do serious harm. Use the compression brackets at 180 degrees, opposite each other on the spring and tighten them evenly with about 8 – 10 turns each before swapping.

Can a coil spring be removed from a strut?

To remove the coil from the strut you must, above all, observe safety. The coil springs must be compressed before you undo the bolt at the top of the strut. This is one of the most dangerous parts of vehicle maintenance and the spring can uncoil and do serious harm.

How often do Eaton coil springs get replaced?

Every year we redesign thousands of coil springs to adjust the ride height, both up and down, to match what customers would like it to be. And we do this without sacrificing ride quality.

How are coil springs used in car suspension?

Your vehicle’s suspension was built to work with a specific spring and designed to sit your vehicle at a certain ride height. Every year we redesign thousands of springs to adjust the ride height, both up and down, to match what customers would like it to be. And we do this without sacrificing ride quality.

How to replace coil springs in front of car?