FORD Explorer Coil spring replacement

Engine, Fuel & Emissions system·2003–2005 · FORD repair guide

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Coil spring replacement

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AftermarketUS$501US$1,496
OEM partsUS$651US$2,169
Labour25 hrs

FORD Explorer — What to know

The Explorer is Ford's mid-size SUV with a broad service network. The 3.5 EcoBoost V6 (2011–2019) is the most popular engine and is generally reliable. Known issues include cabin exhaust fume intrusion on 2011–2017 models and carbon buildup on EcoBoost direct injection engines.

What is this repair?

Plain-English overview

Coil springs support the vehicle's weight and absorb road impacts; a broken or sagging spring causes one corner of the car to sit lower, affects handling and can cause the tyre to contact the body. Springs are typically replaced in pairs per axle.

Warning signs

How to tell your FORD Explorer needs this repair

  • One corner of the car sitting noticeably lower than the others
  • Clunking or banging noise from the suspension, especially over speed bumps
  • Harsh, uncomfortable ride — worse than normal
  • Visible broken coil on inspection (sometimes visible from outside the wheel arch)
  • Tyre rubbing against the inner wheel arch on one corner

Common causes

Why FORD Explorer vehicles need this repair

  • 1.Normal component wear over high mileage
  • 2.Oil maintenance quality and adherence to change intervals
  • 3.Operating temperature and thermal cycling over time
  • 4.Age degrading seals, gaskets and rubber components

What affects the price

Why your quote may differ

  • Whether the spring alone is broken or the shock/strut also needs replacing at the same time
  • Lowering springs vs standard height replacement
  • Wheel alignment required afterwards

At a glance

Key facts about this repair

Labour time

2–5 hours

at a typical garage

DIY difficulty

Involved

Typical parts included

What gets replaced

Coil spring – frontCoil spring – rear

Risks of ignoring this

What happens if you delay

  • Degraded handling and reduced ability to control the car in emergency situations
  • Accelerated tyre wear from incorrect suspension geometry
  • Risk of sudden component failure, especially at speed with worn wheel bearings
  • Failed MOT or roadworthiness inspection
  • Damage spreading to related suspension and steering components

Full repair guide

Everything you'd want to ask a trusted mechanic

Click any question below to expand.

The cost varies by year, engine size, and your location. Use the estimator above for an accurate breakdown of parts and labour specific to your FORD Explorer.

Common parts for this repair include: Coil spring – front, Coil spring – rear.

Coil spring replacement on a FORD Explorer typically takes 2–5 hours of labour at a garage.

For a FORD Explorer, coil spring replacement is typically needed coil springs are replaced on failure; they can last the life of the vehicle but are vulnerable to corrosion and pothole damage.

Always ask for an itemised quote showing parts cost and labour time separately. Research the cost of the specific parts required online — the part number is often readable from the old component. Compare the labour hours quoted against RepairFair's estimate for your specific FORD model and year. A quote that is 20–30% higher than RepairFair's estimate warrants a second opinion. Ask whether aftermarket or OEM parts are being used, and whether a remanufactured option is available — both legitimate choices, but you should always know which one you are paying for.

For most repairs, a reputable independent with experience on FORD vehicles is the better value choice — typically 30–50% less in total cost for the same quality outcome. The scenarios where a dealer makes sense are: work covered by a manufacturer or extended warranty, recalls or technical service bulletins requiring dealer-level software, and complex electronic programming that requires proprietary tools not yet available to independents. For mechanical repairs, an independent using quality parts is equivalent to a dealer in terms of outcomes and often exceeds dealer service in the attention given to each job.

Quality aftermarket parts from reputable tier-1 manufacturers are appropriate for most FORD repairs. The distinction is between tier-1 aftermarket (Bosch, Denso, Delphi, Gates, SKF, Brembo — brands that supply car manufacturers as original equipment) and budget unbranded parts. Tier-1 aftermarket parts perform identically to OEM and often cost 30–60% less. The components where OEM is genuinely preferable are safety-critical items with tight tolerances (airbag modules, antilock brake modulators), items with FORD-specific software coding (ECU, certain sensors), and components where the OEM part has been specifically improved over earlier versions that were prone to failure.

When any system component is replaced, it is worth inspecting nearby components that share labour time. Replacing one part while the relevant area is already disassembled often costs very little in extra labour compared with doing it as a separate job later. Ask your mechanic to inspect adjacent components and report their condition during the repair. Any part that is visibly worn or leaking and is accessible during the main repair is worth addressing at the same time — this is good planning, not upselling, when the mechanic can clearly show you the condition of the component in question.

At 2–5 hours of labour this is a substantial repair requiring specialist knowledge, proper lifting equipment and workspace. Professional completion is strongly recommended — use RepairFair's estimate to confirm the quote is fair before committing.

Similar vehicles

Coil spring replacement cost on similar cars

Get the exact price for your FORD Explorer

Pick your year and engine below. Instant estimate, no account needed.

Estimates in seconds · Always confirm with a qualified mechanic

Example estimate

Coil spring replacement

Select your vehicle above to get your personalised estimate

AftermarketUS$501US$1,496
OEM partsUS$651US$2,169
Labour25 hrs