What is a good interval to change the actual springs ? I have a 03 TL with 151,000 miles on it. I do a lot of highway driving - and roads are pretty decent ( average amount of potholes ) Shocks are shot, and was wondering if the springs are still good ? Any insight ?

 

Unless there is major physical damage to the springs (like you took a band saw to it), they will outlive you.

 

I agree
most aftermarket shocks are stiffer than OE -possibly to make up for any loss of spring tension over the years and give a good ride
If you did both stuts and springs- it would ride like a tank
exception to adjustable coilovers- tein ss are awesome for that, set to softer than oe for the wife--up to decent setting for trackdays~

 

Springs? They'll last forever.

Shocks/struts are what will need replacing.

 

I'm putting shock life at 9 years and/or 96,000 miles.

Springs are still good.

 

^ i think they can last much longer than that. that estimate might be a low average.

my shocks were still perfect when i took them off at 106K. we also had an 01 Sienna that had original shocks at 173K. and we beat the shit out of that thing too. had to sell it to a scrapyard for parts because no one would buy it.

and i dont live in an area with amazing roads either...

 

+1 to everyone ^ The springs will last for a long time given that they are not damaged in any manner. Shocks and springs will need replacing depending on the amount of years 7-9 or 145,000-160,000 miles. Those are only estimates and amount of driving and local environmental conditions will play a factor in this as well.

 

Sorry, I was being a little tongue-in-cheek since I just had a shock start leaking and needed replacing at that time (9 years/96k miles).

 

i replaced my struts at around 185,000...none of them were blown..

 

at 196k i took out my OEMs for aftermarket (koni yellow)

they were as good as new. sold them with the stock springs to a junkyard for 80 bucks

 

you will most likely not have teh car before you need to replace teh springs. Shocks on the other had will start to wear out at 50k. They wear out gradually and most never notice till they have gotten bad that they are worn.

 

What you really notice is how good the new shocks are, not how bad the old ones have become.

 

I'm replacing my shocks at 147,000 miles this week, though that's more due to the upper bushing having crapped as opposed to the shocks themselves.