Snapped spring - still safe to drive?

[toff]

Hi,

I went over a speed bump with some speed and when I "landed" there was a huge cracking noise!



I've lost the very top coil from my drivers side spring. It creaks and groans a bit when turning round corners but it otherwise relatively quiet.

I know there is a sharp edge (looking at the broken part) which is probably responsible from the noises. Given that people intentionally chop springs off to lower cars, should the car be safe to drive until Monday when I can get a new spring.

I have a basic trolley jack, axel stands and fairly comprehensive tool kit. Should I be able to take the job on myself or is vehicle lift required?

Cheers
Al



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[Doctle Odd]

The job is quite easy but you need spring compression clamps. I wouldn't drive it myself as it could effect the handling especially if you need to brake hard.

[M1tchy]

As above, it's safe until you need it to handle properly. And you need spring compression clamps to compress the spring so it's safe to remove.


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[Rob69]

reckon this is off your touran, probably best to avoid use as steering could suddenly stiffen up, but loads of folks never know their springs have gone until mot time! The broken spring end loads up the steering swivel bearing unevenly and that'll be where the noise is coming from. The bearing often falls to bits once the spring is removed.
depends if its offside or near as to how easy the strut comes out. Offside has the longer drive shaft and you can't drop the swivel hub low enough to get the strut out without dropping off the bottom ball joint or pre compressing the spring. Tricky to get strut back in as well and dodgy with compressors in place, I did my touran offside like this last year but wouldn't do it again like that. Near side is easier. It doesn't take too long to do maybe 1.5 hour , so unless you've got somewhere warm and dry I'd be inclined to let a garage do it this time of year, get them to fit new swivel bearing and pinch bolt as well, around an extra ten to fifteen quid on top of spring price.
Don't know about cutting springs to lower the car, you need the final coil to be flattened to spread the load evenly around the spring mount.

[zollaf]

they can also pop out of place and cut through your tyre.

[toff]

Thanks for your replies chaps...

Based on your advice... I told the Mrs to take it really easy on her journeys until I can get it fixed, especially in corners etc.

Whilst I do fancy giving it a go myself.. it is pretty damn cold outside and as it is the off-side, I don't fancy wrestling with ball-joints. How much do you think a garage should be charging for this job please, if supplied with the part?

Don't know about cutting springs to lower the car, you need the final coil to be flattened to spread the load evenly around the spring mount.

Yup.. some people just use an angle-grinder to chop a few coils off the springs to lower their car Yeeehaw! (and I doubt they grind a flat surface onto the top coil!)

Cheers
Toff

[Doctle Odd]

I think it's a bad idea to drive it. Under braking the spring can dislodge and puncture the tyre, look under her see how close the spring is to the rubber. If something should go wrong you can be sure your insurance company will try really hard not to cover you. I think if you supply the spring a good Indie would have it done quickly and at a reasonable price

[toff]

I think it's a bad idea to drive it. Under braking the spring can dislodge and puncture the tyre, look under her see how close the spring is to the rubber. If something should go wrong you can be sure your insurance company will try really hard not to cover you. I think if you supply the spring a good Indie would have it done quickly and at a reasonable price

Point taken (especially about the insurance!). Luckily the spring has snapped at the very top, so the sharp bit is pointing towards the strut-top mount, not the tyre.

Typically this had to happen on a Saturday afternoon! I immediately called to order the part and rushed down to Euro Car Parts. I stepped through the door at 16:01 and was told the tills had been shut down / they couldn't sell me anything - I'll keep my opinions to myself about their work ethic!


Hopefully will get it in a garage tomorrow afternoon...
Toff