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Suspension???
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 2:57 pm
by LXHDi110
Hmmmmm Bin busy with a new job etc, thing is cos have company van my 406 has bin parked up for 2 months, long story short went to get a new mot today, pulled car of drive and STOP. Front wheels are well under the arch, bottom of car is about 3" or ground. Any ideas? Cant even jack it up, as thou all weight is on front. I thought springs but doubt it. Any help would be nice as broke at minute and cant even afford the tow truck to the garage. Cheers in advance.
Re: Suspension???
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 3:07 pm
by djp30djp
I'm afraid it does sound like springs. Check this out.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4308#p41040

Re: Suspension???
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 3:30 pm
by teamster1975
Is it that low on both sides? It'd be quite a coincidence for both springs to go
Make yourself up some ramps to get it high enough to get a jack underneath & whip the wheels off for a peak

Re: Suspension???
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 3:53 pm
by pug406gtx
Same thing also appened to my father in laws 53 plate Fiesta drove about 50 yards from his house and bang both front springs collapsed

Re: Suspension???
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 3:56 pm
by steve_earwig
How's he meant to get it on on ramps if the vallance is almost touching the ground?
Can you not even get the car's own jack under the sill? I'm guessing one spring's gone, the other side is taking most of the weight and is sitting lower as a consequence, in which case it's probably best if you don't move it any further anyway.
Re: Suspension???
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 4:07 pm
by teamster1975
steve_earwig wrote:How's he meant to get it on on ramps if the vallance is almost touching the ground?
Take the bumper off! That's what I had to do!
And if you use long enough scaff boards it'll get it up high enough on a gradual slope, then it can be jacked & the boards removed.
Re: Suspension???
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 4:25 pm
by mjb
Can it be jacked up enough at the rear to get a jack under the front?
Re: Suspension???
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 5:16 pm
by DaiRees
I've got an air-bag jack, great bit of kit, and 'cos it will work from dead flat that'd do the job...

Re: Suspension???
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 5:21 pm
by teamster1975
Now that's a brilliant bit of kit. I wonder what sort of compressor you'd need though!

Re: Suspension???
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 5:23 pm
by steve_earwig
Aren't they run off the exhaust?
Re: Suspension???
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 5:30 pm
by teamster1975
steve_earwig wrote:Aren't they run off the exhaust?
You're right, they are. And for £50 worth having I reckon!
Draper Air Jack
Re: Suspension???
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 5:32 pm
by DaiRees
steve_earwig wrote:Aren't they run off the exhaust?
Indeed they are, takes a little while to fill off my suzuki's exhaust, but it's great for offroading... Get stuck in soft stuff or bottomed out in ruts, find a gap to squeeze the uninflated bag under, lift her up (being careful not to tp the bloody thing right over

) and get some waffle boards under the wheels, job's a good 'un!
Never tried it on the car as I use a trolley jack at home, but I'm sure it would be ideal for the broken spring problem...
More info here... Ignore those prices, I'm a tight arse! I think I paid about £30 including shipping brand new off eblag.
Re: Suspension???
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 5:35 pm
by DaiRees
Re: Suspension???
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 5:38 pm
by teamster1975
Just beat you
I think I may invest in one, that's a damn good idea

Thanks for the link Dave!
Matt
Re: Suspension???
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 6:14 pm
by steve_earwig
LXHDi110 wrote:Any help would be nice as broke at minute and cant even afford the tow truck to the garage.
Hmm, maybe not then. Be very careful who you do get it up in the air, I'm having nightmares about stacks of old timber...
Another wonderful tip: I was once working under a car, when I finished I climbed out and the jack chose that moment to collapse... I am one lucky b@stard! When I jack a car up now I always give it a good shove, ok, it might make a mess if it falls off but I'd rather that than on my head!