2001 Ford Taurus and broken coil springs

[ZZman]

Car has 120,000

My daughter had a funny noise in the front end so I checked and found the driver's side coil spring broken. Since he was going to have to take the strut apart anyway I decided to get struts also. While he replaced the front ones we found a broken spring in the back.

1. Is this common for Taurus'?
2. Was I smart to just go ahead and replace the struts?

It does ride nice and firm now in the front and the front sits higher now.

 

[Bill in Utah]

My 1999 Taurus Wagon has 150k+ no issues.

Sisters 2003 Sedan is doing fine at 130k. (and a LOT of gravel roads in MT)

You had it apart. @ 120k I would have replaced the struts!

Take care ,

bill

 

[cos]

A friend of mine has a 2002 Taurus with under 60K and had a broken rear coil spring replaced last yr.

 

[JTK]

I know this was common on Windstars. If it's not weak/leaking struts or rear shocks, the front stabilizer bar end links get sloppy and give a *POP* noise going over bumps.

Joel

 

[parimento1]

wasnt there a recall on that?

 

[oily boyd]

Common enough.

My 1999 Taurus got recalled for possible corroded/broken springs... I don't remember model years covered or mileage/age restrictions.

I live in WI, so similar conditions to you, especially road salt.

I called the dealer to see what the fix was, they told me that they would replace any broken spring but otherwise would cover the spring (to prevent further corrosion?).

I thought it was nonsense to cover the spring and make it harder to inspect.

Bottom line is that Ford knows about so you might be able to get them to replace it.

 

[bdcardinal]

common on taurus platform. there is a recall kit for putting shields on the strut to prevent the broken spring from flying out. the recall does not apply to windstars. we sell a few of the kits a month, but they are not compatable with aftermarket strut assemblies.

 

[ZZman]

I got that kit installed. What a joke. They know there is a problem and instead of fixing it they put a bandaid on it.

I did not know Ford would pay for the springs. But if I took it to Ford they probably would have killed me for the labor, struts and the broken spring.

The end result was 3 broken springs out of 4.

After getting fixed the front and rear ends are nice and level and it rides very good.

 

[wagsg]

It's a known defect/recall item on Taurus and Windstar... certain years anyway. The Windstar recall was thru '98 m.y. and I have an Feb. build '99.

Both front springs broke (at different times) and took out the tire each time. This is a huge safety problem! My daughter was driving the first time, but fortunately had just gotten off the highway and was only driving about 40 mph when it broke.

I have two separate complaints at the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation and ran up the Ford tree smack into a brick wall.

 

[Whimsey]

I have a 96 Ford Contour. They sent a notice to me that my front springs were prone to rust and breaking and puncturing the front tires. They were going to install a shield around the springs. I didn't do it. I want to be able to inspect the springs. Ironically one of my rear springs cracked. No harm to the car. I got OEM replacements from a Ford dealer in Las Vegas that specializes in internet/phone orders. I saved a good chunk of change and got the parts within 4 days, I'm in NJ. Ford seems to be using junky metal anymore. The frame of my 2002 F-150 rusts heavily so I treat it every year with LPS#3 rust inhibitor. It works well as long as you keep up with it.

Whimsey

 

[TylerL]

Originally Posted By: Whimsey
Ironically one of my rear springs cracked. No harm to the car.

What's new, just about every Escort has broken rear springs, but it doesn't do anything bad.

Tyler