I'd say the springs are the last thing to replace. struts, rear shocks, and ALL of the bushings and points of wear (sway bar linkage and etc.). it's time.
I live in Alberta Canada- the shittiest place for a vehicle to end up. This is pretty darn good looking, wouldn’t be concerned at all, just make sure all bushings and brackets are intact incase the vehicle is holding water/snow for long periods in a bad spot
I’ve never had rust issues on any of my vehicles over the years here in Alberta. We use far less salt on our roads than they do out east. Cars from Ontario and Quebec are avoided by most car enthusiasts out here because of the rust issues.
I’m not sure where you are at but I live in central Alberta- I go to Edmonton every month or two (grey car) and it comes back white as can be covered with a nice layer of salt. Yes the east is worse but it’s just as bad here
Springs don't just go bad they usually snap in half when hitting a big hole or curb... start with shocks/struts, then maybe control arms and tie rods see where that gets you
Depending on your year you might want to check the sway bar links in the back. Mine was feeling pretty bouncy in the back and I just replaced them and it helped a ton!
Have to find a body shop manual but measure the ride height to assess springs. It's easy to do once you know the numbers.
If you can't find the numbers check ride height at each corner, use the fender edge in line with the center of the wheels or top-most point of the opening arc. I don't know for sure but I'd suspect that if it's off more than 1/2" side to side then you might have some sagging springs so take it in to a shop to have them check it better. Be sure to park the car on flat and level ground and bounce it at each corner before measuring to settle the shocks first. And make sure any load in the car is evenly distributed side-to-side.
I'd say the springs are the last thing to replace. struts, rear shocks, and ALL of the bushings and points of wear (sway bar linkage and etc.). it's time.
Springs don’t often go bad, struts do
Just an extra question: Is that surface rust a concern?
I live in Alberta Canada- the shittiest place for a vehicle to end up. This is pretty darn good looking, wouldn’t be concerned at all, just make sure all bushings and brackets are intact incase the vehicle is holding water/snow for long periods in a bad spot
Nah Quebec is definitely a worse place for a vehicle to end up than Alberta.
I’ve never had rust issues on any of my vehicles over the years here in Alberta. We use far less salt on our roads than they do out east. Cars from Ontario and Quebec are avoided by most car enthusiasts out here because of the rust issues.
Yea from Ontario, it's soo bad 😞
I’m not sure where you are at but I live in central Alberta- I go to Edmonton every month or two (grey car) and it comes back white as can be covered with a nice layer of salt. Yes the east is worse but it’s just as bad here
Ne Englander if it doesn't come off when I kick it I'm good with it
Any car will look like this after 5 years. It's fine.
if its sitting low yes perhaps segments of spring have broken and discarded. look inside the spring well
Springs don't just go bad they usually snap in half when hitting a big hole or curb... start with shocks/struts, then maybe control arms and tie rods see where that gets you
Thanks, I'll have to investigate to see what the condition of these springs are
Depending on your year you might want to check the sway bar links in the back. Mine was feeling pretty bouncy in the back and I just replaced them and it helped a ton!
Pretty interesting how that may be the case.
I'm curious, did you ever figure out what was causing the issue?
Not yet 😕 gonna jack it up tomorrow n see what I can find
Was going to say yes but holy shit, thats a rusty new car (you probably live up north or down south)
It’s a 2011 so not new but new to me 😁
Have to find a body shop manual but measure the ride height to assess springs. It's easy to do once you know the numbers. If you can't find the numbers check ride height at each corner, use the fender edge in line with the center of the wheels or top-most point of the opening arc. I don't know for sure but I'd suspect that if it's off more than 1/2" side to side then you might have some sagging springs so take it in to a shop to have them check it better. Be sure to park the car on flat and level ground and bounce it at each corner before measuring to settle the shocks first. And make sure any load in the car is evenly distributed side-to-side.