Parts for your 2013 Holden Colorado-Coil springs

2013 Holden Colorado coil springs

Technical sources indicate the 2013 Holden Colorado (RG) uses coil springs on the front suspension and leaf springs at the rear. RedBook AU specification sheets for RG MY13 variants list an independent double-wishbone front with coil springs and a live-axle rear with leaf springs. The Holden RG Colorado service manual describes a front coil-over shock/strut arrangement, and contemporary reviews (e.g., CarsGuide) note the coil-sprung front and leaf-sprung rear setup designed for payload. That means coil springs are absolutely relevant to the Colorado’s front end, while the rear relies on leaf packs to better cope with towing and load-carrying.

On the 2013 Colorado, the front coil springs carry vehicle weight, set ride height, and let the wheels move up and down over bumps. Working with the shocks and control arms, they keep steering feel predictable, maintain tyre contact, and help manage body movement when braking, cornering, or crossing corrugations. If the ute has extra accessories up front—like a bull bar, winch, or dual batteries—the spring rate matters even more, as under-sprung coils can sag and compromise clearance and handling.

As part of regular servicing, it’s smart to inspect the front coils every 20,000–40,000 km or whenever you’re under the bonnet or doing brakes. Look for chipped paint, rust pitting, fractured ends, or coils that are sitting closer together than they should. Tell-tales of tired or broken coils include a nose-down stance, uneven ride height side-to-side, clunks on turns or over speed humps, and feathered tyre wear from altered geometry. Because the Colorado’s rear is on leaf springs, any rake change from front sag can also upset towing stability.

Replacement tips for these utes are straightforward: replace coil springs in pairs, match the spring rate to the vehicle’s constant load, and consider new top mounts/insulators while the struts are out. Use a proper spring compressor—there’s serious stored energy in a coil/strut assembly—and get a wheel alignment straight after. For heavy touring, towing, or accessory weight, an appropriate heavy-duty or constant-load coil can sharpen steering, restore ride height, and reduce bottoming. Stick with quality brands and, if off-roading regularly, rinse road salt and mud from the coils to slow corrosion. With the right rate and a tidy install, the Colorado’s front end feels tighter, tracks straighter, and treats tyres and bushes more kindly.

• Fitted: Front coil springs (double-wishbone, coil-over)
• Rear: Leaf springs (ute), rear coils only on Colorado 7/Trailblazer SUV

Sources referenced (no links): RedBook AU RG MY13 specifications, Holden RG Colorado service manual (Suspension), CarsGuide model reviews.

FAQs

Does a 2013 Holden Colorado have coil springs front and rear?
The 2013 Colorado ute runs coil springs on the front axle and leaf springs at the rear. Only the Colorado 7/Trailblazer SUV variant uses rear coils. For most tradie and touring utes, coils are front-only.

How long do the front coil springs typically last?
Many see 150,000–250,000 km, but life varies with loads, corrugations, and corrosion. Replace earlier if there’s sag, broken ends, clunks, or uneven ride height. Always do a wheel alignment after replacement.

Can they be replaced at home?
Yes, with the right tools and know-how. You’ll need a quality spring compressor and should replace mounts/insulators while you’re there. Because struts are under high tension, many owners leave this job to a licensed workshop.