Hey guys, just wondering if you can help me out, the right front spring coil lower piece broke off last night when I drove over a set of railroad tracks..never happened to me before...so any suggestions, do I need to replace both the strut and the coil? and do I need to do both sides? not sure what to do...also about what does it cost for the parts and labor??
02 chevy prizm front spring coil BROKE
- Thread starter lucerne06
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I would do both sides; there must be corrosion or some reason that spring was weakened.
It would be a lot of effort taking your struts apart just to put new springs in. Might be worth getting either quick struts (which have springs and the top bushings etc installed) or some low mileage, not salty struts from a salvage yard.
Depends on how much work you do yourself and if you need an aligment afterwards to do camber.
It would be a lot of effort taking your struts apart just to put new springs in. Might be worth getting either quick struts (which have springs and the top bushings etc installed) or some low mileage, not salty struts from a salvage yard.
Depends on how much work you do yourself and if you need an aligment afterwards to do camber.
I had a Ford Taurus in the salt belt; this was almost a weekly occurrence. It's not fun either.
The coil spring itself broke or the coil spring perch on the strut broke? I'm not clear from your post.
Either way, I think putting "quick struts" in is the best avenue. These are pre-assembled as struts, coil springs, and a top bearing plate. It's fairly easy for a DIY-er to do. A mechanic can do this in his sleep. The only other work required would be an alignment.
Either way, I think putting "quick struts" in is the best avenue. These are pre-assembled as struts, coil springs, and a top bearing plate. It's fairly easy for a DIY-er to do. A mechanic can do this in his sleep. The only other work required would be an alignment.
Pre loaded struts are the way to go for this .. If the spring broke , the rest of the parts can't be in much better shape.
Originally Posted By: flacoman
Pre loaded struts are the way to go for this .. If the spring broke , the rest of the parts can't be in much better shape.
I doubt the other side is doing great either.
I'd guess you could get a preloaded strut for a compact car for 200 bucks and two hours labor so maybe 350 a side at an independent?
Pre loaded struts are the way to go for this .. If the spring broke , the rest of the parts can't be in much better shape.
I doubt the other side is doing great either.
I'd guess you could get a preloaded strut for a compact car for 200 bucks and two hours labor so maybe 350 a side at an independent?
Originally Posted By: bepperb
Originally Posted By: flacoman
Pre loaded struts are the way to go for this .. If the spring broke , the rest of the parts can't be in much better shape.
I doubt the other side is doing great either.
I'd guess you could get a preloaded strut for a compact car for 200 bucks and two hours labor so maybe 350 a side at an independent?
If the O/P has any mechanical aptitude then he could easily buy and install them himself, then bring the car in for an alignment for a fair savings.
Originally Posted By: flacoman
Pre loaded struts are the way to go for this .. If the spring broke , the rest of the parts can't be in much better shape.
I doubt the other side is doing great either.
I'd guess you could get a preloaded strut for a compact car for 200 bucks and two hours labor so maybe 350 a side at an independent?
If the O/P has any mechanical aptitude then he could easily buy and install them himself, then bring the car in for an alignment for a fair savings.
You'll need an alignment.
Get it checked after 100 miles or so of driving [let things settle].
Get it checked after 100 miles or so of driving [let things settle].
Originally Posted By: flacoman
Pre loaded struts are the way to go for this .. If the spring broke , the rest of the parts can't be in much better shape.
+1.
Quick Struts are one of the best inventions of the automotive aftermarket.
They make this task so much quicker, easier, and less expensive.
Pre loaded struts are the way to go for this .. If the spring broke , the rest of the parts can't be in much better shape.
+1.
Quick Struts are one of the best inventions of the automotive aftermarket.
They make this task so much quicker, easier, and less expensive.
Originally Posted By: lucerne06
found some aftermarkets for 150.00 both sides(pre loaded struts) and a local shop said they would charge me 55.00 for an hour of labor to install...so 205.00 for everything...not too bad..i suppose.
$55 hr is dirt cheap! For that price I would not feel bad about hiring someone to do it.
found some aftermarkets for 150.00 both sides(pre loaded struts) and a local shop said they would charge me 55.00 for an hour of labor to install...so 205.00 for everything...not too bad..i suppose.
$55 hr is dirt cheap! For that price I would not feel bad about hiring someone to do it.
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