Ok, so I changed my front struts about 9 months ago, after a long hard 130,000miles. My question is this - what is the life span on springs? My car still feelis like crap after putting new struts on. Maybe the springs?

 

so, stock springs?

 

yes still on stock springs

 

fsttyms1 will say they last forever- others will say 100-150k and they have lived a good life.
What brand of shocks did you put on- that could be the real answer- not the springs!

 

didnt have much $$$ so i only went with KYB GR2's , you think that is the issue or should i check out lower ball joints, just did the uppers like a month ago. Just want a nice ride, it takes the bumps very hard it seems like.

 

What kind of symptoms are you having?

 

mostly just seems like it is banging harshly over every bump it hits. No real noises or anything to speak of, just a hard ride on average roads.

 

Has it changed or has it always been like this? The TL has a firm ride

 

oh its worse than it was, thought the new shocks would have fixed it but still BANGS over every little bump and dances across the road

 

Springs may rust alittle, but I've heard they never really wear out.

 

check the ball joints and the bushing at the other end of the control arm
check the sway bar mounts and endlinks for damage or looseness
recheck all the bolts for the shocks

I always said- KYB = kills your back lol

 

check your tire pressure too, if its dancing- too high?
how about the alignment, change the shocks= changes the whole attitude of the tire to the road. Could be way toe out and makes it wander
bounce test each corner of the car, give it a few pushes down and it should be firm and stop moving quickly when you stop pushing on it

 

Mine rides great, but im looking forward to bilstein or konis

 

If your getting those symptoms after new shocks, its time you look into ball joints, and endlinks. See if they have play

 

note that fsttyms doesnt use seat heat in Wisconsin!!!!
Not my first choice of people to ask about ride comfort.
Now, the guy with a back problem, him I listen to

 

Ive got a back problem, Heat makes it act up. My back never hurts sitting in the TL. If my 97 year old grandma didnt complain about the ride it cant be bad.

 

Assuming everything else remained the same, it seems logic would dictate that your problem is related to the new parts. I can't help but think that after 130K miles, any springs would be clapped out and new shocks would just exacerbate that. After that many miles, I'm sure your remaining ball joints and/or end links would benefit from replacement, but I'd be surprised to hear that either of those areas are causing your harsh ride problem. If finances allow, and you plan on keeping the car for a while, I'd suggest you replace all of the wear items in the suspension.

 

thanks guys, have a good feeling it is the lower ball joints. Pushed down on the corners of the car manualy and it stops pretty right. its just when i hit the bumps it bangs over them. Now I just gotta find a shop to press in the new lowers if i bring them my knuckles. By the way I just did sway bar endlinks as well, so they are tight.