Symptoms
Vehicle leans, sits low at one corner, or a clunk is heard over bumps. A broken coil end may be visible at the spring seat.
Likely cause
Age, heavy loads and corrosion. 110 and 130 rear springs are often overloaded with roof racks and equipment.
Suggested fixes
Listed roughly in the order most owners try them.
- 1
Replace springs in axle pairs
Use the correct spring rate for the vehicle and its typical load. Colour codes on the springs identify the rate.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate DIY
- Cost:
- ££ (About £50 to £300)
- 2
Fit heavy duty rear springs
For vehicles that carry heavy loads permanently, uprated rear springs stop sag and bottoming out.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate DIY
- Cost:
- ££ (About £50 to £300)
- 3
Renew shock absorbers at the same time
Tired dampers let springs bounce and wear faster. Replacing both together restores the ride properly.
- Difficulty:
- Easy DIY
- Cost:
- ££ (About £50 to £300)
This is general guidance gathered from owner experience and workshop practice, not a substitute for a workshop manual or a qualified mechanic. Costs are rough parts-only guides. Brakes, steering and suspension work affects safety, so if in doubt have it checked professionally.