Springs

Suspension systems serve two main purposes: keeping vehicle occupants comfortable and isolated from road vibrations and bumps and contributing to the vehicle’s braking and handling. One of the important features of any vehicle’s suspension system is the springs. There are four basic designs: coil springs (the most common type of spring), leaf springs (used on trucks and heavy-duty vehicles), torsion bars (used during the 1950s and 1960s) and air springs (used to be found on horse-drawn buggies).

Brands

Rubicon Express is one of the most popular brands of coil springs, with the RE1300 3.5 inch and RE1345 5.5 inch being the most highly rated. They are very easy to install and are one of the best quality springs on the market. They provide a smooth and excellent ride. Eibach Pro-Kit Lowering Springs are also very highly reviewed. They are designed to lower your ride by about an inch. They also lower the wheel well over the tire, eliminating the extra space for a great look.

Safety

Like any part of your vehicle, upgrading your springs helps improve the overall safety of your car. Over time, springs can wear out and rust. This could potentially lead to a weaker suspension, which is obviously a safety hazard. Upgrading and improving your springs not only improves the look of your car, but helps ensure that your car is well maintained and continues to perform at a high level.

Benefits

Coil springs are the most popular type of springs, and they are usually the only spring you’ll find on a car. This is because they are small and don’t take up a lot of space. They also extremely light, especially when compared to leaf springs. Less unsprung suspension weight will mean a smoother and more comfortable ride. They are also relatively cheap, especially when compared to leaf springs. While leaf springs may be better for SUVs and trucks, many modern heavy vehicles use coil springs on their front suspension.

Drawbacks

The biggest drawback of coil springs is that they are not as strong as leaf springs. Leaf springs are the most rugged vehicle spring on the market, and they are perfect for any heavy-duty application. Thus, using a vehicle with coil springs when you are trying to tow a heavy load such as a boat or trailer may damage your suspension. Leaf springs support the rear axle of almost every pickup truck on the market, and are much more expensive than coil springs. Still, modern trucks and SUVs have begun using coil springs on the front suspension.

Cost

The cost of a coil spring (or any spring for that matter) depends on the brand and model of spring you purchase. The Rubicon Express springs, for example, can be found on websites such as Amazon for as low as $100. Other brands, such as the Hotchkis and Eibach for instance, can run as high as $300. At a dealership, however, when factoring in labor costs, it could run as high as $1000 depending on the brand of spring.