Do Springs Wear out?

[PewterBird]

Do Springs Wear out?

Im contemplating replacing them when I get new shocks, but if they generally don't fade, I don't want to replace them unneccesarly.

I can't remember how the car felt 50k miles ago. I just know my shocks are shot.

[V6Bob]

Depends on the springs.

Good racing springs are made from the right alloy, manufactured properly, and heat treated properly. They pretty much don't wear out. They are also more $$$ than anyone here would pay. This gives you an idea of the complicated and expensive manufacturing processes used on really good springs:

"Springs of wire diameter greater than 0.625in (i.e. NASCAR's prescribed 5.5in/140mm diameter springs) are hot-wound from SAE 5160 chromevanadium wire. The wire for these springs is centerless ground, both to remove surface imperfections and to arrive at the optimum wire diameter for the specific design. After coiling, they are quenched and tempered immediately (to avoid the creation of a decarburized layer), stress-relieved, shot-peened, and inspected. Hyperco hot-coiled springs are guaranteed to be within +/-2% in rate."

Cheap aftermarket springs can wear out, maybe fast.

Stock springs are in between. Over many years they will wear out. At a mere six years old they should be fine.

[ January 24, 2005, 11:34 AM: Message edited by: V6Bob ]

[BirdOnFire]

Would 98 and up v6 firebird stock springs fit on a 97 firebird?

[93camaro_zzz]

The only way you can say a spring is worn out, is if a certain corner or part of the car is lower than the others. I beleive you can have them tested and such, but I wouldnt know where, and it would probably be as expensive as buying a set of 4 Eibachs. ;)

[PewterBird]

Originally posted by V6Bob:
Depends on the springs.

Good racing springs are made from the right alloy, manufactured properly, and heat treated properly. They pretty much don't wear out. They are also more $$$ than anyone here would pay. This gives you an idea of the complicated and expensive manufacturing processes used on really good springs:

"Springs of wire diameter greater than 0.625in (i.e. NASCAR's prescribed 5.5in/140mm diameter springs) are hot-wound from SAE 5160 chromevanadium wire. The wire for these springs is centerless ground, both to remove surface imperfections and to arrive at the optimum wire diameter for the specific design. After coiling, they are quenched and tempered immediately (to avoid the creation of a decarburized layer), stress-relieved, shot-peened, and inspected. Hyperco hot-coiled springs are guaranteed to be within +/-2% in rate."

Cheap aftermarket springs can wear out, maybe fast.

Stock springs are in between. Over many years they will wear out. At a mere six years old they should be fine.

Thanks a bunch, I will check for sagging, but I doubt there is any.

[hockeyman]

The rear springs on my 96 3.8l wore out. I replaced them with rear springs from a 2001 camaro last october. It rides nice again, without bottoming-out every pothole I hit.

[Den69RS96]

I don't think there is a set answer to this question. I replaced the original front springs in my 69 camaro two years ago, so the original springs can hold up. They were definitely worn, but 30 plus years ain't to bad. The original springs on my 96 are fine as well. I guess it depends on how many miles they have, how you drive, and the condition of the roads you drive on which determines how fast they wear.