Rusted coils OK?

[sroosma]

My 99 4runner has decent front springs (fatigue-wise) but are a little rusted. I'm going to replace the shock absorbers anyways, so is OK to re-use these? Otherwise I'd rather just replace the springs while I'm at it.

 

[Malcolm99]

If they are rusted you need to change them, they won't work as well as non-rusted springs, or as originally intended.

Edit: if they are rusted in the body of the coil it's bad(coil end rust is normal), pitting and rust in the body of the coil changes the sprung steel and it doesn't act as it is originally intended. They are tough springs though so doubtful they will ever break.

 

[alumarine]

That looks like surface rust only.
If you can get rid of it with a wire brush it's just fine.
Where I'm from I wouldn't even notice that as being rusty.

 

[bootown]

100% fine. That surface rust is having zero impact on coil function. Only thing I would do is remove the rust and paint before reinstalling...if you can get by without the car for the time it takes to prep, paint, cure. Otherwise I wouldn't hesitate to put them right back on as-is if painting is not convenient.

 

[Boognish_Forever]

I’m glad you brought this topic up as I was wonder the same thing with my rusted springs. Before I put airbags in my rear springs, I chipped off as much paint as I could that rusted off and sanded those bare spots and spray painted them with a flat black.

My front springs look about the same as yours. My struts are still original and work well being they only have 103,000 miles on them. But I’m guessing sooner or later age will get them and the seals will probably dry out and start leaking.

 

[brillo_76]

Yes rusty springs will be fine. Being springs are spring steel. Once they really start getting deep rust pits in them. They will then crack and need replaced. So surface rust not really an issue. The deep pits and scaling of steel will crack in time. Then you have to replace the springs.

Sent from my SM-J337V using Tapatalk

 

[sroosma]

Thanks guys, I'll definitely take all this into consideration for planning suspension next steps! I really appreciate the quick responses.

 

[FD7683]

Being in Ohio, thats not terrible although I would change it since i'm there already just to not deal with it ever again (if the spring cracks from rust).

 

[3bears]

are yu doing anything with rear shocks too. If so this is a good time to change out springs. Im not a big fan of Moog parts, but some people say the sprigs are fine, you can replace all of em cheap, even do the 99 tallls and pick up an inch.
but to do front shocks, you have to dismantle springs

 

[gamefreakgc]

Putting new struts with old coils will overstress the struts and cause them to fail prematurely. It's advised to pair new struts/shocks with new coils/springs. You'll still get life out of the new ones but not for as long as if you do both. I can understand not wanting to ditch the 99 coils though.

 

[somethingcrafty]

Probably not the end of the world .. but you will feel it