Car suspension "failure"..advice please

[Ned Flanders]

Sorry for posting car tech questions here but...

a small piece of the front offside coil spring has broken off the car. It’s the lower most bit, about half a turn.
Should these “bits” be replaced in pairs like the struts should/normally are?

Oh, the cars a year 2000 1.2 Corsa with 35k on the clock.
Luckily it’s still under warranty.

Thanks all.

Regards

Tim

 

[pragmatix]

You might get away with replacing one spring but as they are so cheap, it's best to do both, your local motor factor shoul be able to get you a pair for about £40, you will need a spring compressor to fit them, a easy job shouldnt take more than an hour for both sides, siezed bolts allowing.

Pete A

 

[The Mechanic]

Warranty

Depends how the wording of your warranty goes, you might get one spring but not both under a used car warranty. Best to fit two new ones. They only break due to poor materials.

 

[Ned Flanders]

Re: Warranty

Depends how the wording of your warranty goes, you might get one spring but not both under a used car warranty. Best to fit two new ones. They only break due to poor materials.

Its a Network Q warranty and I'll bet money on them only replacing the 1.

Regards

Tim

 

[hops]

Re: Re: Warranty

Its a Network Q warranty and I'll bet money on them only replacing the 1.

Regards

Tim

Ned,

As a vehicle examiner for the Met Plod I would advise you to protest most strongly if they only agree to change only one spring. This is downright dangerous and no self-respecting garage would change only one sides defective component in the braking or suspension area.

I'm sure if you needed it there is plenty of literature to back up your claim for them to replace both sides. In the event they refuse I would strongly suggest you speak to your local citizens advice bureau or better still the vehicle inspectorate with a view to forcing their hand.

Not changing both sides could lead to uneven suspension characteristics and cause the vehicle to pull to one side under emergency braking as well making the handling worse.

Here is the web address for the VI http://www.via.gov.uk/home.htm

 

[plasins]

What he said!

 

[Ned Flanders]

Thanks all

Hops

On your advice I went prepared for the worst. It didn't happen, apparantly the springy things come in pairs and Network Q will only fit them in pairs due to safety reasons.

Thanks for the advice.

Regards

Tim