Signs and symptoms of bad coil springs?

[BlackHawkTJ]

97 TJ
Previous owner installed 4” lift (unsure of brand)

Want to replace the coil springs and shocks anyhow.

Has some creaking coming from front end if the springs are compressed, is this a sign of a bad spring or something else all together?

This is my wife and I’s first Jeep project so I’m new to the Jeep world.

 

[Rob5589]

Dry contact points squeak. A bad spring will sag and/or easily bottom out.

 

[BlackHawkTJ]

Dry contact points squeak. A bad spring will sag and/or easily bottom out.

I’ll try to grease things up first, but either way the springs and shocks are being upgraded. Thanks for the help.