Strange Front spring/strut 'event'

2002 Taurus SES with the 12 valve V6, 105,000 miles.

Both left and right side front springs decided to give up, at the same time. While sitting in my garage, the left side front spring broke into two pieces. The bottom of the right side spring came off the lower bearing plate on the strut, but the spring doesn't look broken.

This happened overnight so I'm not sure which came first, the broken spring, or the spring slipping off the lower bearing plate. The struts seemed like they were fine before the springs broke.

I've changed springs/struts on a couple of my other (non-Taurus) cars, but I thought I would ask you guys about it first. I plan on replacing both springs, but do you think I should also replace the struts? They don't look damaged and they didn't seem to be wore out before the springs gave out - the front end didn't bounce around excessively or even noticeably. I plan on keeping the car for another 3 or 4 years, about another 50,000 miles.

To remove the spring/strut assembly, is there just the one bolt at the bottom of the strut, then the three in the upper bearing plate?

Thanks!

Before spending money or labor, I'd suggest you start by searching this forum for keyword "spring" as there have been many issues with springs breaking in the rust belt. I believe there is a recall or extended warranty on the springs.

-Rod

That 2002 is not covered under the NHTSA recall for springs. The recall is for 2001 and earlier, but I think it expired for any car with more than 150k miles after 2005. But if it has less than 150 and 2001 and earlier the recall also covers the tire that gets gashed. They place a guard over the strut and change the spring of course.


l I don’t really care what people say. Struts and springs wear out at the same time. That car of yours has a bearing cap that also likes to spit bearings out of it also.( I believe) I just replaced my second set at 2003,000 miles. Because they had the struts springs and new bearings in stock and I had to order the assembled quick strut for 157 each, I just spent the 135 and put them together myself using the old mount that was good. If you are wrenching and compressing the springs by hand it takes about 1 hr a corner to do. Don’t forget to check the ball joints and the tie rod ends when you have it apart. Get the alignment as close as you can then immediately have it aligned. The 60 bucks is well worth the money you will save on tires.