Dodgy spring?

Discuss, ask, or get help with engine and mechanical queries in here.

Moderator: Moderators

Post Reply
User avatar
mjb
Site Admin
Posts: 7983
Joined: Wed May 31, 2006 9:06 pm
Location: Stoke

Dodgy spring?

Post by mjb »

While checking my tyre depths this evening I noticed I had trouble getting my hand under the NSR wheelarch with the gauge. I'm parked on a fair camber, but that shouldn't make any difference should it? The OSR was lower than both the fronts too, but about 1/2" to an inch higher. This ain't right is it?

How much is this going to cost me (bearing in mind I ain't touching big put-a-hole-in-your-head springs!)? :(


I should point out that my suspension has always been very soft - I was shocked at how stiffer my dads was going round corners, and that's a virtually identical car albeit saloon instead of estate
<steve_earwig> I think this forum is more about keeping our cars going with minimal outlay than giving our cars more reason to go bang
teamster1975
Site Admin & Mad Biker!
Posts: 6277
Joined: Sun Oct 28, 2007 8:07 pm
Location: Woking, Surrey

Re: Dodgy spring?

Post by teamster1975 »

It's not as bad as you think doing the springs mjb; as long as you've got a descent set of spring compressors and a reasonable amount of common sense you won't kill yourself; I had one of the rear springs off mine not too long ago; you've just got to tighten the compressors methodically a little at a time either side so the spring doesn't twist.
1996 406 1.8LX Got a bad case of hydro lock!
1996 406 Executive 2.0 Turbo XU10J2TE No longer hangin' on in there :(
1997 Honda CB500V
2003 Volvo V40 1.8 GDi SE killed by a nutter in a beemer 5 series
2008 Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Titanium X

"Always look on the bright side of life, dedo, dedo dedodedo"
User avatar
steve_earwig
Moderator
Posts: 19813
Joined: Thu Oct 04, 2007 6:09 pm
Location: Jastrebarsko, Croatia http://www.jastrebarsko.hr/lokacija/

Re: Dodgy spring?

Post by steve_earwig »

Haynes says raise car, stick a trolley jack under the lower arm raised a bit to take the strain off, undo the lower arm outer pivot, loosen the inner, undo bottom of the shock, lower jack, collect spring.

What is it with these damn springs???
Unskilled meddling sin©e 2007

The submitted form was invalid. Try submitting again.
User avatar
Welly
The moderator formally known as Welton
Posts: 15033
Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2006 12:52 pm
Location: East Midlandfordshire

Re: Dodgy spring?

Post by Welly »

The rears are certainly easier than the fronts to change.

Get under it with a torch and look in the cup mount at the bottom of the spring. Mine had snapped off about a 40mm long piece of spring which made the rest of the coil sit down on it's next available shape. It made the OSR settle by 15mm.

I reckon you would be looking at £80.00 at a garage?

BTW I only had one spring changed and it's been fine for 2 years since.
Cars in my care:
2021 Kia Spottage 1.6 Pez Turbo Dual Clutch Gearbox Trickery
2013 Renner Twingo - donkey work
User avatar
steve_earwig
Moderator
Posts: 19813
Joined: Thu Oct 04, 2007 6:09 pm
Location: Jastrebarsko, Croatia http://www.jastrebarsko.hr/lokacija/

Re: Dodgy spring?

Post by steve_earwig »

Welton wrote:BTW I only had one spring changed and it's been fine for 2 years since.
Image
<snigger>
Unskilled meddling sin©e 2007

The submitted form was invalid. Try submitting again.
teamster1975
Site Admin & Mad Biker!
Posts: 6277
Joined: Sun Oct 28, 2007 8:07 pm
Location: Woking, Surrey

Re: Dodgy spring?

Post by teamster1975 »

:lol:
1996 406 1.8LX Got a bad case of hydro lock!
1996 406 Executive 2.0 Turbo XU10J2TE No longer hangin' on in there :(
1997 Honda CB500V
2003 Volvo V40 1.8 GDi SE killed by a nutter in a beemer 5 series
2008 Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Titanium X

"Always look on the bright side of life, dedo, dedo dedodedo"
Post Reply