At 150K miles, should the struts be replaced or should both struts and coil springs be replaced? (vehicle, best)

[Zhang Fei]

In fact, how can someone tell if coil springs need to be replaced (that's different from the symptoms of when struts need replacement)?

[Tennesseestorm]

If your car rides too stiffly or too bouncy you may need new shocks/struts - springs... well, if your car is sagging down (lower than normal), you need new springs.

You cant always go by miles....
some last longer than others.

[sean sean sean sean]

I've honestly never heard of someone having to replace coil springs, unless the previous owner had cut/heated them or you wanted a lower/higher ride height. Yeah, eventually they will sag somewhat, but not like leaf spring packs on older cars would. You might lose an inch over 10 years if even that...

If you can't discern whether the car is sitting lower or not, I wouldn't replace them.

Shocks or struts should be replaced by 150k if they're original, but to tell you the truth I've had some cars that were over 200k on the originals and still rode great. Others, they were totally shot by 100k. I think most owners manuals advise ~75k intervals between replacing them. If you're planning on keeping the car for awhile it's best to change them just as preventative maintenance, but if you're on a strict budget and there aren't any driveability issues (ie: the car is just a beater) it won't kill you to leave them alone.

[Gimme3steps]

You didn't mention what kind of vehicle you drive. Some are harder on springs than others. Escorts and Focus' and Grand Ams among others come to mind as being tough on coil springs. Is your car sagging? If you replace one spring you really should do all 4 to keep the car level.


It's not so much about having to replace the springs, but at 150,000 miles, it's going to be hard to replace just the struts alone and have it turn out right. The insulators, bearing plates, and rubber bumpers most likely will be completely worn out and need to be replaced and that can get expensive. One alternative is the Monroe Quick Strut. Comes assembled right out of the box ready to bolt on. It's a straightforward remove the old strut and install the new one with no disassembly required job, so the labor cost should be lower.

[Zhang Fei]

Originally Posted by Gimme3steps

You didn't mention what kind of vehicle you drive.

This is for a 98 Toyota Camry. The ride is a little bouncy, and the mileage is up there, so I'm not sure if the coils need to be replaced as well. It would certainly be way cheaper to replace just the struts. Struts are $65. Strut and shock assemblies are $215.

[Gimme3steps]

Originally Posted by Zhang Fei

This is for a 98 Toyota Camry. The ride is a little bouncy, and the mileage is up there, so I'm not sure if the coils need to be replaced as well. It would certainly be way cheaper to replace just the struts. Struts are $65. Strut and shock assemblies are $215.

Don't forget to factor in the cost of front bearing plates and the insulators if needed. They don't come with the strut.

Are you getting any from the front end when hitting bumps at a slow speed? Worn out plates will cause a knocking noise. It's a common problem for Camrys.

Google TSB SU001-00 for the Toyota bulletin

[TheViking85]

Coils should be fine, honestly, I haven't heard of people changing them for other reasons than them breaking or to heighten or lower the ride height (and firmness so on and so forth).

As some posters say, you might need to change out more than just the shocks, but it should end up cheaper than changing them all either way. Take it to someone you trust though, so they won't change things just to change things.

[GTOlover]

you will notice a major change in the ride and performance but also the ride depends on how stiff you go with the shocks

[Rickone]

I had a strut that would freeze up solid on one side if the temp was below freezing over night.It would work ok above freezing but it wasn't leaking & it was 25 years old in a 1986 BMW 325 and somehow got some water on the inside with the oil- don't ask me how I just know it was there when I drilled a hole in the bottom of the strut after I replaced it. Maybe condensation but only that side and I don't think so being a good mechanic myself.

[Checkered24]

The bounce is from the bad struts/shocks. Coil springs should be fine. I have only ever replaced springs on one car, because after six figures of mileage they were sagging badly. (rear of the car was more than an inch closer to the road than the front). It was probably my fault too, driving way too long on struts which had long ago worn out, causing the springs to do all the work and wear out.