CLUNKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING? YOU MAY HAVE A BROKEN COIL SPRING!

February 23, 2016

Lori Drouillard

Pothole season has arrived and that means many cars are on the road, right now, with one or more broken coil springs. Often, you will not even notice!

The coil springs allow the wheels and suspension to move vertically, while also holding up the body of the car. The length of the spring determines the car’s ride height, so if a spring brakes, the car will sit lower. The coil springs usually rust at the bottom where they attach to the suspension. They fit into a notch that tends to hold water, causing the bottom coil to rust and brake off. Since only a small portion brakes off, it’s not always obvious or noticeable.

A broken spring will affect the wheel alignment and can cause a rattling noise. It can be a safety issue because when a coil spring is broken, it is possible for it to become dislodged when going over a bump, and possibly damage other suspension parts, your tires, or even your brake lines. If you suspect any of the warning signs listed below, it is best to have the vehicle inspected, as it is dangerous to continue driving the vehicle.

How do I know my coil springs are broken?

  • Lower ride height. Usually the rear springs brake first, so the rear of the car may seem to sit lower than the front.
  • Knocking noise over bumps. With a broken coil spring the suspension angles and travel are changed and can cause a rattle or clunking sounds.
  • Uneven tire wear. The alignment gets thrown off by a broken coil spring and the tires do not touch the road evenly, which causes the tire to wear more on one side or become choppy and noisy.

 

Replacing broken coil springs will:

  • Prevent premature tire wear.
  • Reduce the stress on the struts or shocks.
  • Most importantly, keep the vehicle and suspension working the way it was intended for maximum performance and safety.

Fortunately coil springs have come down in price as the demand has increased. We highly recommend replacing both the left and right coil springs at the same time, even if there is no visible issue with one side. They are sold in pairs because it is so important for the coil springs to sit and wear evenly for proper suspension performance.

If you are in the metro Detroit area, in Royal Oak, Berkley, Huntington Woods or nearby, we will be glad to help you out.

Call us to schedule an inspection: 248-971-7789

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