Coil spring broke in half

99carseat · 06-23-2008, 11:48 AM

The driver side Coil spring broke in half over the weekend. It's on my '99 and it had 117K miles. I guess the years of salt and bad roads up here in Maine finally took their toll. The struts and springs were original so I guess I was due, but all I did was put it into reverse and WHAM. It sounded like I popped a tire or a shotgun went off. I read where it happens to some other alero and grand am owners, but I thought that was due to abuse, not daily drives by an older female teacher who drives about 500 miles a month.

cherrington17 · 06-23-2008, 11:50 AM

lower it!

luckily, its not too hard or costly to fix. i'd probably replace both struts while your at it, just to be on the safe side.

Redog · 06-23-2008, 11:52 AM

Wow!! I never heard of that, but I guess it's possible.

I didn't know you where a Mommy, and maybe you're not interseted, but this is the time for lowering springs

Cheaper than stock, thicker than stock, but it will give a stiffer ride.

Do you still have the orignal struts? I would replace them now. They should be changed every 50,000 miles. However I didn't change mine until 62,000 miles

misslindseysue · 06-23-2008, 11:59 AM

Yup, mine just broke one day. Had close to 100k miles so I suppose I was due. A generous Aleromod member shipped me his stock springs and I was able to find a good deal on replacement struts.

99carseat · 06-23-2008, 12:09 PM

its my wifes car. she drives it. She isn't interested in lowering it. She is a point A to point B kind of car owner. Im guessing the struts should be changed as well, but they haven't been leaking and still give a good smooth ride. It has 117k miles so im guessing i got really lucky or she doesn't hit potholes and drives 30mph.

I don't have a strut compression tool and don't really like the idea of putting a strut on the ground to compress it by hand.

It broke off down near the lower spring seat.

01silveralero · 06-23-2008, 12:29 PM

i dont even know if mine have ever been changed on either of my aleros.........i know one my needs them though but its not on the road yet

[ion] C2 · 06-23-2008, 12:30 PM

hmm this makes me hope mine have been changed at some point, 184,000 miles lol

rowdygls · 06-23-2008, 12:45 PM

Well, I have all 4 stock springs in my garage if you would like them. Throw out an offer.

zzyzzx · 06-23-2008, 12:46 PM

It happens on the rear springs of 1991-1996 Escorts all the time. It's due to a plastic sleeve that was put around part of the spring that retained moisture and therefore promoted rust. I don't know if I was in the car at the time, and I heard nothing.

More importantly, I do not recommend that you drive the car any more than you have to before replacing your springs (and you do them in pairs). Your alignment is off and you will damage your tires.