B6. Front suspension coil spring broken.

[Ragtag]

2007 2.0 TDI with just 85k miles.
Yesterday, whilst pulling off the drive, at no speed at all, I heard a very loud metallic 'clunk' and a clatter from front offside steering.
Got out, had a look, couldn't see anything untoward. Drove off again and after a few yards something dropped underneath. I found about 8 inches of the top / bottom of the suspension spring!! (Half a turn). The metal looks very crystallised ( like a poor alloy break) and has sheered cleanly.
We have NOT been over any nasty bumps, pot holes, or done any rallying in the car (yet!)
At the moment the car is sitting as it should, drives ok and steering / suspension feels as it was. I'm going into my local trusted garage with it later to get it sorted.
A quick search of the forum shows one other like this ( rear on an estate), but I wondered if this was common on this car? Any advice on what to have fitted ( I will be going for cheapest option parts, or upgraded if suggested).
And how much it should cost ( ballpark figure as a guide).

Thanks in advance.
Rags.

[vespa]

I have had a spring break on a much older non VW car for no apparent reason. I suppose that with wear ie all the movement a spring makes, it is possible that eventually some form of work hardening can take place and eventually cause a break. My suggestion would be to replace both springs and possibly shocks as well while you are at it.
VW Passat 2006-2011 Coil Springs and VW Passat 2006-2011 Shock Absorbers will give you an idea of part costs. Add labour of around max 4 hours ( Based on me doing a whole car a few years ago in 4 hours [not a VW])

[martin1810]

A front spring from VW is about £100 and takes an hour to fit so total bill should be near £200 depending on the garage. You can't fit a single aftermarket spring as springs are very specific for these cars.

[stevegrass777]

I replaced a front spring on mine I bought a sachs one from euro car parts thinking I might need to replace both if it drove uneven, but it was just fine

[Ragtag]

Had them both done at my local garage. Pattern springs x 2, £240 Total cost. Not too bad. You could see a stress line on the unbroken spring in almost the same place, so I'm glad I had both done!

[martin1810]

I replaced a front spring on mine I bought a sachs one from euro car parts thinking I might need to replace both if it drove uneven, but it was just fine

VW make their own springs. Nearly 20 different passat ones for the front. They are colour coded. I would advise against anyone fitting a single aftermarket spring but we are all free to do as we please.

[stevegrass777]

To be honest Martin, I replaced one because I only had time to do one, I was going to do the other one the next weekend but as I was driving it I noticed that it drove spot on cornering well and couldn't really tell that just one was changed, it also had the same colour markings as the one I took off. Maybe it was lucky I got one very similar to the original one the other side