[Hunny-Munzy]

I had some routine service on my 2010 Elantra recently and the tech said I had some scalloping on both rear tires. The tires have about 35,000 miles on them. He spun both rear tires while the car was on the lift and I saw the radial runout myself so I know he was telling the truth.

The car has 140K miles, so it looks like I need to replace the rear struts. Should I also buy new rear springs? The tech said the stock springs look fine with no cracks so I don't really see a need to buy new ones. Hyundai Parts tells me each spring costs $90 each, so I'd like to avoid it if I can.

Advice?

 

[camper]

depends on how rusty they are. If you live in Texas no you just need new struts

 

[2009GLS]

I am surprised you have not replaced the shocks yet. 140k miles is a long way. Do all 4 corners. It will help a lot.
Anyway, the thing is that with springs you do not know if they need to be replaced, until you actually replace them and realise the difference.

It is a tough one. Even if you do not carry a lot of load in the back, 4 people on board, or tow - springs wear anyway. They last much longer than shocks, but they still do. They loose their stiffness, the compress changing ride height, and could be other things.

I would ask myself this question - how long will I keep the car? Another 10k miles or rather another 50k or more? If the latter - if you can, replace them.
But if instead you would do shocks all around (4 corners) in place of rear with springs, then do the shocks. Forget the springs.

Sorry for not much help.

FYI.
Shocks should be replaced at about every 30-80k miles (that depends on surface you drive, your style, and their quality). Unfortunately, there is no tool in the USA that would test them on the car. I used to have my car tested each year back in Poland for shocks rebounce absorption and the lesson was that they would be at 30% efficiency (that means very weak) within about 4-6 years, that is 60-90k km (35-50k miles).

 

[Hunny-Munzy]

I am surprised you have not replaced the shocks yet. 140k miles is a long way. Do all 4 corners. It will help a lot.
Anyway, the thing is that with springs you do not know if they need to be replaced, until you actually replace them and realise the difference.

Yeah I knew 140K is way past the expiration date for stock shocks. The scalloped tires were almost certainly due to worn out shocks. I'm getting vibration through the steering wheel which is sorta odd for scalloped rear tires, so I hope that goes away once the new shocks are installed.

Luckily, I did replace the front struts last August with new Monroe Quick Struts. The front tires are in good shape.