Coil spring front is broken - 1998 Volkswagen Passat

The coil springs are fatigued, This car is old and heavy.

Hi Kirby,here's you a Autozone repair guide on replacing your coil springs, http://www.autozone.com/repairinfo/repairguide/repairGuideContent.jsp?fromSearchPage=true&pageId=0900c15280082184&partName=Coil+Springs&partId=0900c15280082184 Here's another link to some new coil springs. Coil Spring Front at AutoZone com Best Coil Spring Front Parts for Cars... Here's another link to some springs. List Coil Spring 1976 Chevrolet Nova Reilly Auto Parts

Automobiles: 2006-2007 Ford Five Hundred 2WD & AWD, Montego

If the steering is getting a little hard to turn at low speeds, this would indicate a loss of Power Steering, and the steering is reverting to "Non-Power" steering, just like the days of the Ford Model T or Model A. Loss of power steering is usually caused by low level of PSF (Power Steering Fluid).
So first on my checklist would be checking the PSF level in the reservoir.
Also bleed (air) from PS (Power Steering) pump.

The Ford Five Hundred has front MacPherson struts, so check these for leakage (of the dampening fluid in the strut cylinder), or breakage of their coil springs.
These springs can actually weaken over time, but this is impossible to see - you must "feel" it by bouncing the strut up & down - preferably with your hands on the top of the strut tower in the engine compartment (rather than on the exterior finish).
If the MacPherson struts have weak/broken springs, these components are not separately serviceable, and the strut would have to be replaced as a unit (and preferably both left/right to maintain smooth/even ride).

The Five Hundred also has rear shock absorbers with springs - check for leaks/breakage/weakness here too.

Steering losing responsiveness/wander - checklist
Priority Action Part Type Cause
1 Inspect Rack & Pinion - Center Wear From Internal Fluid Leaking Around The Rack Piston.
2 Inspect Steering Stabilizer Bracket - Loose or Broken Steering Stabilizer Bracket.
3 Inspect Front Lower Control Arm - Front Lower Control Arm loose/missing bolt(s)
4 Inspect Front Lower Ball Joints - Front Lower Ball Joint(s) Worn/Loose
5 Inspect Front Upper Ball Joints -Front Upper Ball Joint(s) Worn/Loose
6 Inspect Tire Pressure - Tire Pressure should be 35 PSI for the Five Hundred and Montego's P225/55R18 OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) tires.

Harsh ride - checklist

1 Inspect Rear Shock/Strut - Shocks/Strut failing/leaking.
2 Inspect Front Shock/Strut - Shocks/Strut failing/leaking.
3 Inspect Coil Spring - Incorrect Coil Spring Selection or Installation.
4 Inspect Coil Spring - Coil Spring broken.

YOU NEED SPRING COMPRESSOR.OR REPLACE THE WHOLE NEW FRONT STRUT WITH A NEW COIL SPRING ALREADY IN STRUT DONT NEED TOOLS IF WHOLE UNIT NEW.

Do you have:
1. Shocks and Leaf Springs?
If so: the Shocks could be "shot" and/or broken or completely discharged. OR the Leaf Springs Retainers or the Leaf Springs have broken. The Retainers should have two (2) bolts holding braces which hold the multiple leafs of the Leaf Springs together. Check these. Also you have bushings bolted then welded to the frame that will need to be checked.
2. Struts with Coils (Springs)?
If so: the Struts could be "shot, and/or broken or completely discharged. The Coils (Springs) could be broken of dislocated.
3. Coils (Springs) without Struts?
If so: the Coils (Springs) could be broken or dislocated.
4. Independent Bar Suspension?
If so: the independent bars could be bent, broken or dislocated from their frame connections with the frame.
5. Solid Axle?
If so: the Axle could be bent, broken or dislocated from their frame connections with the frame.
Since you cannot lift the vehicle, I am assuming you are using the jack under the axle to lift? This would point to the Axle/Bars being broken.

Was an excessive load (weight) put on the back of the SUV lately?

If you can't lift the rear of the vehicle, jack-up and properly support the front then jack-up and support the middle towars the rear of the vehicle to gain access to the rear of the vehicle for a better look.
However while doing this if the rear starts rising: keep a careful eye on the rear tires to see if they are going lower than what they would normally go when you are jacking-up the rear, especially with a broken Axle or Bars. THIS COULD CAUSE THE BROKEN OR DISLOCATED PARTS TO FURTHER BREAK OR CAUSE OTHER CONNECTING PARTS TO FAIL AND BREAK OR COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE REST OF THE SURROUNDING AREAS OF THE CAR. I have seen an Axle and Bars that were broken "pierce" into the body of the vehicle because they were not carefully watching.
Let me know if this helped, or if you have any additional information, problems, or questions. Feel free to contact me at FixYa.com!
ps...when describing your problem feel free to fully explain in as much detail as you can, including in this case what type of rear suspension system you have, 2WD, 4WD, AWD, your engine size etc. There is no limit to describing your problem. It enables us to get a very precise answer to your very precise problem quicker.

hi from uk again !thank you for reply in my last reply assumtion ? that it is the coil spring on front suspension strut that has broken ?? ,my advice is if it is the coil spring broken ?? then i strongly advise you have it fixed ASAP! however? if whoever has told you ?the front strut is broke ? it is most probably the coil spring takes approx 1/2 hour to change with tools but here in uk coil springs cost approx £50 ? unfortunately as i am unaware your location ? i would gladly offer assistance if in uk but can only offer advice free ! therefor if you req further advice/info/assistance ? to DIY will be glad to help ! hope this helps and inspires you ? you can diy this ! being female or male the most important tool in any tool box is PATIENCE ! remember this ? mech's were not born with this knowledge the learn from experience/reading/ doing? so have a go and if you get stuck ? get in touch ? for free advice that what we are here for ?? best wishes from n/west uk lancashire

can't seem to locate any recalls for that issue. the replacement springs may not be up to the specifications that are called for. some of the cheap aftermarket replacements use to hard a steel (brittle) check that the correct spring is being installed.

If your car has over 75K miles on and the struts are original, I'd have the struts replaced. As for the coil spring, you can probably find a repair manual at your local library. You can get loaner spring and strut compressor tools at most auto parts stores (loaners are free, just have to leave a deposit for the price of the tool).

Repair cost will vary from place to place, but I'd say coil and strut replacement is about 4-5 hours labor. I'd guess a $300-$450 for parts and labor (coil - $100, pair struts - $140)

There were a lot of differences between a 98 TJ (Wrangler) and a 95 ZJ (Grand Cherokee). The grand cherokee is much heavier. Now might be the time for those "Off Road" upgrades you've been waiting on. And it is a good excuse.
Have a nice day!

If your talking about coil springs or strut springs, they are dangerous to change if you don't have a spring compressor.