| nysimonsez |
Are there aftermarket replacement springs other than stock? I'm not looking to lower the car but mechanic said I may need to replace springs.
When it's cargo area is fully loaded, going over bumps will cause the car to just keep bouncing like bad shocks. And every bounce produce a squeak noise that sounds like a bad mattress.
It's got 50k miles on it and I've done a few full loads where the rear sags. Now the vehicle is lower than other Xs when parked side-by-side. Could springs be the culprit? When mech told me I need new springs I just left because I was a bit surprised that I'd need it at only 50k.
thanks |
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| G. COLTON |
It is possible that you have overloaded the vehicle too much too many times and damaged the current springs.
The continuous bouncing does not sound like springs to me. I would think that it is more likely bad shocks/struts, or whatever the MDX uses in place of shocks.
My real advise is to go see another mechanic for a second opinion.
G |
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| shootist |
The MDX uses "struts" rather than springs and shocks. The struts have both springs and shocks in them. Your symptoms say that at least two of your struts need replacing. Replacing struts at 50,000 miles is not uncommon, especially if you've overloaded the vehicle a few times.
Remember shocks? THey'd lose their "jounce" control at 30,000 or before. |
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| nysimonsez |
Thanks for your inputs. I have an '02 so it's struts in front and shocks in back. The mech told me he didn't see any of them leaking and bounce test doesn't really indicate bad struts/shocks.
In general, how would you know if springs are worn out? How many miles do they last? I had a Toyota and Honda before and both cars went to 170k+ miles and never needed spring replacement, only shocks/struts. That's why I was quite surprise the mech told me they need replaced. Would springs cause lower unloaded vehicle height? (mine unloaded is lower than a comparable unloaded X)
Taking G's advice, I'm going to take it to another mech for a 2nd opinion in a couple of weeks when I get my tires changed. I have a feeling a $$$ repair expense coming...tires, shocks, struts, springs (?) brakes....yikes.
Shootist & G, have you had to change your struts/shocks yet and at what miles did you change? |
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| eurohazard |
I would change the rear struts, and maybe all 4 while you're at it. "They" say that the struts/shocks do not affect ride height, and that only the springs do. Well "they are wrong.
I recently changed the (probably original) struts on my 165k mile 1993 Toyota Camry.....and kept the original springs. My ride height went up at LEAST 1 full inch. And not to mention much better handling and ride.
My plan was to change the struts on my MDX at 50k miles. But I ended up trading it in for an Armada. I could tell my 25k mile MDX dipped more loaded before I traded it, than when it was new with +- the same weight inside. (that's not why I traded it though.....I loved my MDX!) |
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| G. COLTON |
It is very rare to ever have to replace springs.
Your vehicle has failed the "jounce" test when it kept on bouncing.
Get the vehicle checked by another mechanic.
G |
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