Rear Coil Spring Replacement

Guys,

Have a 1999 Ford Windstar LX with a 3.8 liter engine. When I have dealer replace the rear axle (cracked) I was going to have them put in some new rear coil springs as well for the rear-end bounces around a little. Looking at some Raybestos Professional Grade replacements. What do the springs sit on (at the bottom) and attached to (at the top) and should I replace them. Do they go bad?

Thanks,

AJ

While I haven't replaced my springs, I did add Airlift 1000 spring airbags to my '00 Windstar. I've found that the spring airbags do a good job of firming the rear of the van.

I seem to recall that the spring sat on a plastic bushing/spacer, at both the top and the bottom. I took some pictures of my spring airbag installation, though they don't particularly show the ends of the springs:

http://rides.webshots.com/album/548741257AJALLi

If you haven't already purchased new springs, I'd at least consider spring airbags as an alternative. One advantage over new springs, whose stiffness isn't really known until after installation: I can adjust the airbags based on load and conditions.

Note that Amazon now sells Airlift products.

Phil-l,

Thanks ... love the pictures

AJ

I replaced my rear springs with the Raybestos ones. They seem to be working out good. It was pretty easy to put them on, you just had to lower the rear axle, take out the old, in with the new, then raise it back up. When the rear springs go bad, you'll see the rear tires on an angle.

joeuser742,

Were the Raybestos you used the Variable Rate Springs and did you replace the coil spring Isolators as well? Wondering if the Professional Grade Raybestos variable rate springs can go on the same coil spring isolators as the original constant rate springs ..... they seem to have different dimensions? Can't find the Raybestos part number on the Isolators but know they make them.

Thanks,

AJ