Coil springs sit between the wheel hub and the body structure, bearing the full static weight of the vehicle while absorbing road irregularities that would otherwise transmit directly into the chassis. Unlike shock absorbers โ which damp oscillation โ the spring itself sets ride height and determines how much body roll occurs in corners. When a spring cracks or loses tension, the corner it supports drops noticeably, tyre wear becomes uneven, and the opposite diagonal experiences increased load, accelerating wear on that shock absorber as well. Age, road salt, and metal fatigue are the primary culprits; most steel springs on European cars begin to lose free length after ten years or 100,000 miles of use. SACHS and LESJรFORS both supply to original-equipment specification and manufacture springs to precise rate tolerances, ensuring the replacement matches the geometry the chassis engineer intended. Because spring rates are calibrated in pairs, fitting a single new spring to one corner introduces a measurable imbalance in roll stiffness, so axle-pair replacement is the recommended approach. Matching the OE number confirms the correct wire diameter, coil count, and end configuration for your specific variant โ particularly important for VW Group platforms where multiple spring rates exist across trim levels on the same bodyshell.
The OE number stamped on the original spring โ usually on the coil body or a label attached to it โ is the most direct reference. Cross-check this against the numbers listed on this page, then confirm using your vehicle's VIN or the make-model-engine selector. Springs are often variant-specific: the same body shell can carry multiple spring rates depending on engine weight, trim level, or factory-fitted suspension package, so an exact OE match prevents the ride height and handling imbalance that comes from fitting the wrong rate.
OEM springs are produced to the original vehicle specification, usually by suppliers such as SACHS or Lesjรถfors who also manufacture for the aftermarket under their own branding. Quality aftermarket springs from established names are made to equivalent wire grades and load ratings, and carry the same OE references. Budget alternatives may use lower-grade steel or looser production tolerances, which can lead to faster free-length loss โ meaning the corner drops again within a few years rather than the expected service life of a decade or more.
Yes, replacing springs in axle pairs is the standard recommendation. Springs on the same axle share the load equally, and after years of cycling they lose free length at roughly the same rate. Fitting one new spring beside a tired one creates a measurable height difference between the two corners, which affects camber, tyre wear, and handling balance. The additional cost of a second spring during the same workshop visit is modest compared with having to return for the other side within a year.
The most visible sign is a corner of the car sitting noticeably lower than the opposite side, especially when parked on level ground. Drivers often notice a knocking or clunking sound over speed bumps or potholes as the broken ends of the coil contact each other or the spring seat. Uneven tyre wear โ particularly on the inner or outer shoulder โ and a pulling sensation under braking are also common, because a collapsed spring shifts weight distribution across both the front and rear axles.
Showing 100 of 18,488 Spring OE numbers. Enter the OE on the main OE search to jump to any reference.
