One and two-dimensional residual stress profiles have been extensively studied for the cold rolled helical coil springs by using neutron strain scanning in conjunction with 1 mm spatial resolution. The residual hoop stress distribution after cold coiling has been explained qualitatively by considering the simple bending of a round bar beyond its yield point as a mimic of the spring coiling process. Post coiling treatments to alter the detrimental stress distribution were studied and observed. The hot peening process stage contributed the largest changes in the residual stress conditions. The detrimental tensile hoop stress condition that existed at the internal bore region after cold coiling has been reduced by approximately 400 MPa to a stress value close to zero.