Parts for your 2016 Ford Transit-Coil springs

Understanding Coil Springs on the 2016 Ford Transit

The 2016 Ford Transit is a popular choice in Australia for both commercial and personal use, known for its practicality and reliability. When it comes to its suspension system, it's important to know whether coil springs play a role. Looking into technical specifications and automotive resources, it turns out that coil springs are not part of the suspension setup on the 2016 Ford Transit. Instead, this model primarily uses leaf springs, particularly for the rear suspension, which is a common choice for commercial vans designed to carry heavy loads.

Leaf springs are favoured in vehicles like the Ford Transit for several reasons. They provide excellent load-bearing capacity and durability, essential qualities when the van is regularly tasked with carrying or towing significant weight. Leaf springs are straightforward in design and easier to maintain or replace when compared to more complex suspension components. This design also contributes to a robust and stable ride, especially when the vehicle is fully loaded.

So why aren't coil springs fitted to the 2016 Ford Transit? Coil springs are typically used in vehicles where ride comfort and handling finesse are priorities, such as passenger cars or light-duty SUVs. They offer a smoother ride by absorbing bumps and road imperfections more progressively, which benefits passenger comfort. However, coil springs generally have a lower load capacity compared to leaf springs and can be more expensive to maintain or replace in vehicles subjected to heavy duty use.

Given the Transit's primary role as a workhorse van, the choice of leaf springs over coil springs keeps things simple and rugged. This setup ensures the vehicle can handle heavy payloads day after day without compromising riding stability. The decision to use leaf springs aligns with the vehicle's design philosophy: to deliver durability, ease of maintenance, and consistent performance under load.

Though coil springs are not part of the 2016 Ford Transit's suspension, understanding their general purpose can be helpful. Coil springs act as a critical component in many other vehicles' suspension systems. They support the vehicle's weight, absorb road shocks, and help maintain tyre contact with the road. These springs are shaped like a helix and compress and expand to soften the impact from rough surfaces, contributing to a more comfortable and controlled ride.

If the 2016 Ford Transit were to use coil springs, it would likely come with a different set of maintenance and replacement considerations. Here's a typical breakdown for coil spring care, as a point of interest:

• Regular inspections during servicing are crucial. Look for signs of rust, cracks, or sagging in the coil springs.
• Uneven tyre wear or changes in ride height could indicate coil spring wear or failure.
• Replacing coil springs usually involves removing the wheel and sometimes other suspension parts, so it's often a job for a qualified mechanic.
• Maintaining suspension health, including coil springs where applicable, improves overall vehicle safety and ride quality.

Owners of the Ford Transit should instead focus on inspecting and maintaining the leaf spring setup. Like coil springs, leaf springs need regular checks for cracks, corrosion, and damage to the mounting points. Worn or broken leaf springs can lead to uneven riding height, poor handling, and increased wear on other suspension components.

Service technicians advise routine inspections of suspension components as part of scheduled maintenance to ensure the Transit remains reliable and safe on the road. Though coil springs do not feature on this vehicle, understanding different suspension types helps users appreciate why certain design choices are made, especially in hardworking vans like the Ford Transit.