You have a brand new automobile. You’ve been driving it for a few days and it feels great. The engine is purring, the wind is blowing through the windows, and you can feel the road beneath your tires. Suddenly, something goes wrong. You slam on the brakes and the back of your vehicle swoops up. You look around and notice that all of the other cars are slowing down as well, probably because they notice the same problem. There is a car in front of you and another one behind you. Your heart is in your mouth, but you are relieved to see that everyone else is having the same brake problem too.
That’s when you realize that the brakes on your car aren’t working. In fact, the whole car is making a strange noise. It turns out, the noise you’re hearing is the sound of the springs on your front end slowly decaying as the car sits unoccupied for a few days.
The good news is that this isn’t something you need to worry about. The bad news is that it’s something you need to worry about. Springs on your front end won’t damage your vehicle. It’s not a problem if you take care of it, but it is a problem if you don’t take care of it. Chances are, you won’t even know that it’s there until it’s too late, because it will never seem to bother your car until then. When that happens, you’re going to be stuck either way. You either have to buy new springs, which are going to be quite expensive, or you have to live with the fact that your car is falling apart.
It’s important to note here that the springs on your front end shouldn’t be replaced until the latter part of their lifespan. This is because the force they exert on your vehicle changes as the car sits unused for longer periods of time. For this reason, it is best to inspect them regularly, as it will help you determine how long they need to be replaced. As previously stated, too many weeks pass without any sort of driving and they begin to deteriorate. When they have essentially reached the end of their lifespan, you’re going to need to replace them. It’s also important to keep in mind that some cars require different methods in order to replace the springs effectively. This is because certain vehicles are built around specific geometry, which makes it tricky to find proper replacements that fit.
What Are Springs?
When you drive your vehicle, you are constantly pressing against it, bouncing up and down as you go. This is going to place a lot of wear and tear on the tires, as well as the car’s body. When the car is parked, it is going to undergo a similar process. The only difference is that the force is going to be put on the ground, instead of the road. This is why springs are essential in helping to maintain the quiet and smooth ride that cars are known for. Without them, all of that bounciness and squishiness is going to be transferred to the pavement, and it is going to hurt your car’s feet as well as its back.
There are several different types of springs that you could use in your car. Some are more suitable for certain vehicles, while others are better for specific types of driving. For instance, leaf springs are great when you’re driving in light traffic or slowly. They’re not as good when you’re slamming on the gas, as they tend to shake and wobble a bit. Varying the type of springs you use can help control how your vehicle handles and feels. You might also use stainless steel springs in your car, as they are known for being rust-proof and more resistant to corrosion, leading to longer service life.
How Do You Know When Your Springs Are Bad?
There are several telltale signs that your springs need to be replaced. If you’re seeing any of the following, it’s time to get a new set: