Knowing how to replace a coil spring insulator is essential if you want to keep your vehicle in good shape.
Similarly, knowing when to replace them is just as important as knowing how to. For those of you who want to confirm if your vehicle is due for some coil spring insulator replacements, keep an eye out for the following symptoms:
- Your vehicle is harder to steer and control
- Your vehicle feels bouncier and jankier
- Your vehicle makes loud grating noises when you drive
- Parts of your vehicle like the wheels are taking damage
How Important Are Coil Spring Insulators?
For those of you wondering if coil spring insulators are an important part of your car, ask yourself this question: “are coil springs necessary?”.
If your answer is “yes” and the coil spring is indeed important, then the same should be said for coil spring insulators.
This is because these rubber insulators prevent your coil springs from sustaining damage caused by vibrations while you drive. Without an insulator, your coil springs would wear down quickly over the years and need to be replaced.
How To Replace A Coil Spring Insulator
The process of replacing your vehicle’s coil spring insulators may vary depending on your specific vehicle model. Bear in mind that if you plan on replacing your springs, it’s important to replace your coil springs in pairs — both fronts, or both rears. Here’s what a mechanic will typically do during the part replacement:
The process of replacing your vehicle’s coil spring insulators may vary depending on your specific vehicle model.
–Anthony Harlin, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
Note: Make sure you buy two replacements for each spring. Every coil spring needs two insulators—one that goes on top and another one that goes on the bottom.
Elevate Your Vehicle
Before a mechanic can replace the coil spring insulators, the vehicle must be raised with the help of jack stands. A minimum of two stands are needed to lift your vehicle with enough stability for you to access your car’s lower control arms.
The vehicle must be high enough for your car’s suspension system to be completely disconnected. The lower control arm also needs enough room to be able to drop all the way down. This way, the spring coils can be removed safely and effectively.
Lower the Lower Control Arm
With your vehicle raised, the screws and bolts securing the lower control arm are removed. Once the arm is loose, it can be lowered to gain easier access to the coil spring. Don’t be afraid to set the lower control arm all the way down to the ground as it is attached to a pivot.
Remove the Coil Spring
Now that the lower control arm is out of the way, the mechanic will retrieve the coil spring. The top and bottom insulators should be still attached, however, if your vehicle only has one insulator, make sure that one remains attached. They will be inspected for any signs of damage. If there are cracks or dents, it might be time to replace the entire spring.
Clean the Spring Slot
It’s very likely that the slot on the lower control arm that once held the bottom of the coil spring is filled with dirt. Any dirt, debris, and rubble from the slot must be removed to keep the replacement insulators nice and safe.
Replace the Coil Spring Insulators
The mechanic will take off the top and bottom coil spring insulators and replace them with a new pair. Even if one is more damaged than the other, it is far safer and far more efficient to replace both insulators at the same time. This way, you won’t have to worry about one insulator wearing down at a quicker rate than the other.
Reinstall the Coil Spring
With the cog spring insulators replaced, the coil spring is reinstalled as well as the lower control arm. The mechanic will take note of where the spring rode exactly to ensure that everything is installed in the exact same spot. The mechanic should also double-check all cogs before wrapping up and moving to the next coil spring.
They will repeat these steps until every coil spring insulator in your vehicle is replaced.
Bad Coil Spring Insulator Symptoms
Knowing how to replace damaged coil spring insulators is one thing, but knowing when and why your coil spring insulator is damaged is another.
Here are some of the common signs of a bad coil spring insulator:
Vehicle Becomes Harder To Control
Without a coil spring insulator, your car’s suspension system will destabilize. This occurs because the coil springs weather down, taking damage over time when you drive. When the coil springs break, your car will sway more, making it difficult to steer the vehicle.
If a damaged coil spring isn’t replaced, you’d be putting yourself and other people in danger on the road. Because of this, it’s important to take good care of your vehicle so that it handles easily and responds to your input.
Driving Feels Rougher And Bouncier
Since coil springs are a major part of your car’s suspension system, it’s going to feel very different when you drive a vehicle with damaged springs. You can expect a bumpy ride, not to mention the fact that your car will bounce excessively.
Not only is this uncomfortable, but you can also seriously damage the wheels of your car. Whenever you drive with a damaged suspension system, the weight of your car will bounce on and off your tires. They might eventually break, and this damage cannot be undone.
Loud Grating Noises
Broken coil springs are noisy. Without a coil spring insulator to protect them from vibrations, your vehicle will make a lot of sharp grating noises.
These noises occur because your car’s suspension system is designed to moderate the tension between the weight of your car and its wheels and axles. These are most noticeable when turning your steering wheel or driving uphill.
Other Parts Get Damaged
Failing to replace a bad coil spring insulator can result in complex and costly vehicle repairs.
The suspension system is responsible for absorbing the shock your vehicle experiences when you drive on the road.
If the coil spring is unprotected and damaged, that pressure from driving is diverted throughout your vehicle. This means different parts of the car will feel the force from your vehicle bouncing and bobbing.
How To Get Quality Replacement Coil Spring Insulators
Coil spring insulators are important for protecting your coil springs and preventing damage to your vehicle’s suspension system. If you want to avoid a loud, bumpy, dangerous ride, it’s best to replace coil spring insulators when needed. Thankfully, getting new coil spring insulators is easy at CarParts.com.
At CarParts.com, placing an order only takes a few clicks. You won’t even need to leave the comforts of your home. To purchase the right coil spring insulators, use the built-in vehicle selector to choose a set that’s guaranteed to fit your vehicle’s year, make, and model. If you have any questions, reach out to our friendly and helpful customer service team. They’re on standby around the clock to offer support and answer any inquiries.
Get the coil spring insulators you need quickly. Order the right coil spring insulators today at CarParts.com.
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Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
