Do monoleaf springs need to be replaced in pairs?

[Skant]

I've recently replaced the front monoleaf spring on my 1996 after it delaminated. The rear monoleaf appears to be in fine condition and was not replaced.

If the front spring is seven years newer than the rear spring, will this unbalance the handling? Do the front and rear springs need to be replaced together?

I expect that springs lose tension with age. So I'm sure there has to be at least some relative difference there between the new and old spring. But hopefully it would be too fractional to have a noticable handling effect.


I ask because to me the car feels understeery now. But I'd gotten used to a very weakened, damaged front spring which made the car oversteery. In fact, the car is probably pretty balanced now. But it's shifted in the understeer direction from what I'm used to.

Maybe it's supposed to have some understeer. Or maybe my front spring isn't broken in all the way yet. At the start, it was _very_ understeery with an overstiff fresh spring, and it's been settling down as it breaks in. Or I've just been getting used to it. Hard to tell which exactly. Maybe a bit of both.

- Skant

 

[warren s]

They dont have to be replaced in pairs. Its the mileage and type of driving the car has been through more than just the age that affects the mono-leaf springs.

You need to drive some more before the new front feels as balanced as a matched pair. It took a few months of driving for me.

 

[vader86]

They dont need to be replaced in pairs, but if one delaminates, the other might follow soon. That is unless you did something to the first to make it delaminate (some chemicals will weaken the spring considerably).

Some understeer is normal.

 

[jmccloud]

Understeer

Give it several weeks of 'strong' driving then get a good 4 wheel alignment.
Good luck

 

[racersedge52]

In a nutshell...

You will get the best post repair/replace feel if you change both springs. Just like when you replace all 4 shocks at one time. Just like you replace all 8 spark plugs at one time, etc.

It's not absolutely necessary, but I would. It's also cheaper when replacing both to do it at the same time.

Like some other replies say, it's not necessary to do both at the same time, but you will notice some oddities when operating until settlement/break-in occurs which if you are like most car people, can be very irritating when our machinces don't feel/sound just right.

Likewise, replace all ball joints at the same time, tie rods, etc.

Consider the fact that nobody has yet learn how to engineer in 'wear-and-tear' on a replacement part, so in the case of 'mutual' parts (springs, shocks, plugs, tires, etc.), it is always better to do the 'set' to better mange the wear-and-tear, feel, ride, look, etc. of your car.

But if you decide to just do part, expect the possibility of some annoying condition, at least for a while.