One spring or two?

[AC Motors]

My 2003 Boxster S just failed the MOT on a broken spring right at the end. Now I've purchased a spring set from Cambridge Porsche and changed the broken one over the weekend, not a particularly fun job. Question is, is it really necessary to change the other one as well? I understand garages always recommend changing the pair but what are the downsides of just doing one. The car has 69K miles on.
Any advice would be useful, thanks.

[thegoose]

A car should be balanced side to side - an 11 year old spring will not behave the same as a brand new one. It's up to you how much an un-balanced car bothers you but I'd change both. On a nearly new car then I could maybe see the logic of changing just one, but not at 11 years old.

[Trev450]

As above. Should always change them in pairs.

[Ian_UK1]

AC Motors said:

My 2003 Boxster S just failed the MOT on a broken spring right at the end. Now I've purchased a spring set from Cambridge Porsche and changed the broken one over the weekend, not a particularly fun job. Question is, is it really necessary to change the other one as well? I understand garages always recommend changing the pair but what are the downsides of just doing one. The car has 69K miles on.
Any advice would be useful, thanks.

As said above - always in pairs once the springs are a few years old for the reasons already stated.

Don't forget that the car will also need a full, 4-wheel alignment after the springs are fitted. Ride heights (and therefore camber and toe) will be different once the parts are changed and other suspension components might not be in EXACTLY the same place relative to one another as they were before. It's also likely that the suspension will have other worn components at 11 years old and the car might not be driving at its best.

Center Gravity is my preferred choice for getting the job 110% right. As you may already know, Chris Franklin is an absolute perfectionist who can typically make a massive difference to how your car drives. You'll leave there with a car that's perfectly set-up for your preferences and driving ability, not to mention a grin as wide as the proverbial Cheshire feline! The test drives (and particularly the roundabout 'grip' test) are also good fun and very informative.

HTH

Edited by Ian_UK1 on Monday 31st March 13:12

[AC Motors]

Thanks all for the feedback, rebuild of side 2 now well underway and hopefully ready for an MOT at the end of the week. Ian, thanks, I had thought about alignment and will probably put it into the Porsche centre in Peterborough.
All done, tracking set up and new MOT issued. Thanks all for your advice.

Edited by AC Motors on Wednesday 9th April 21:54