Spring around rear suspension has snapped

emma12345

I think it's part of the spring around the shock absorber? It snapped off while I was driving my car today.

Is it safe to carry on driving it until I can get it to a garage later in the week?

Thanks,
Em

babyshoes

I wouldn't - that spring is the 'shock absorber', the bit in the middle is the damper. The spring holds up almost a quarter of the whole weight of the car, so driving it further than absolutely necessary is likely to cause further damage. I know it is a nuisance to be without a car, but get to the garage now! If the parts are easy to source, it shouldn't be a long or difficult job on most cars. They SHOULD replace both springs though, and will likely check your dampers and front suspension at the same time, because if one was damaged/rusty enough to snap, chances are the others are heading the same way. Is it an old car, by any chance?

(I assume you mean the big, tough spring, not a little separate one that is unique to your model of car...)

atrixblue.-MFR-.

emma12345 wrote: »

I think it's part of the spring around the shock absorber? It snapped off while I was driving my car today.

Is it safe to carry on driving it until I can get it to a garage later in the week?

Thanks,
Em

no i wouldnt drive the vehicle unless its going in a garage and you take your time. the shock absorber (damper etc) will be under load without its coil spring to help support the weight of the vehicle on that part of the car and protect the car from damage when going over bumps and potholes. have the rest of the vehicles suspension checked (dont go to kwick fit, nationwide auto centres unless you want to shell out allot of cash on things that dont need doing like brakes, discs and the rest of the cars parts) and go to a reputable garage get a quote and dont forget only authorise money to the value of the quote and get them to ring you when they have hit that amount or when car is finished dont forget plus parts vat and labour is the amount added ontop of the quote. so bear in mind if its £100.00 plus vat thats 117.50 plus parts say £30.00 thats £147.50 plus standard labour at x amount hourly rate is also added nmot to be patronising bit of friendly advice.

andygb

As per the previous advice, have BOTH sides done ASAP. It is not unknown for a rear spring to snap and then go straight through a tyre. I will leave you to imagine what happens as a result, particularly if you are on a motorway.

postmanpat68

andygb wrote: »

As per the previous advice, have BOTH sides done ASAP. It is not unknown for a rear spring to snap and then go straight through a tyre. I will leave you to imagine what happens as a result, particularly if you are on a motorway.

That happended to me on sunday morning, front spring snapped at 30mph and went through the tyre, when that happens it becomes a lot more expensive.
Now need two new springs and two new tyres.