Car problem - something has fallen off mine :(

Incyder

Rochdale_Guy wrote: »

Only 33,000. Had only done 5,000 miles when I bought it.

That is terrible.

EDIT: this from the link, what a joke.

I have a 55 plate Fiesta Zetec S 1.6 TDCi, with 23K on the clock, I have owned the vehicle from new and drive like a vicar.
The front offside coil spring snapped whilst it was parked in my garage.

pinkteapot

Rochdale_Guy wrote: »

The only thing it's failed me on before has before a duff battery, which the AA replaced on a breakdown (which was just as duff!)

Sure that's not a duff alternator?

asbokid

On that thread, HJ has mentioned "poor finishing" of the coil springs. I guess that means inadequate powder coating of the springs.

Over time, the spring rubs against the spring seat of the strut. This abrasion wears off the powder coating. During the winter months, road salt solution is flicked up at the suspension assembly. The solution settles in the cracks of the powder coating. The salt solution serves as an electrolyte, and galvanic corrosion sets in with disastrous consequences.

I wouldn't replace with genuine Ford parts - they are probably faulty too. Definitely get aftermarket. SPAX does springs for lowering the Mk6 by 45mm. It's amazing how much the handling is improved by lowering a car. However, it is classed as a "modification" for insurance purposes.

asbokid

laurence_p wrote: »

a good garage should do front springs in less than an hour. where i worked 2 of us changed all 4 springs on an astra in 40 mins. to change springs we charged 80 quid for all 4, labour only.

That's two men though.. so 80 minutes in total man hours. still a comfortable income.. Pro rata it's £60 an hour for each man.

The Poles round here are paid £9 an hour as motor mechanics. So that's £70 for new springs on all four corners, and £12 labour for their fitting!

In fact, if you check with your local volunteers office, there's probably some goon who will fit the springs for free as a thank you to DaveyC and his Big Society.

molerat

Incyder wrote: »

It is very bad that a 7 yr old ford should be rotting through like this.
I have had plenty of fords, the earliest was a 68 cortina mk2, never had to replace a spring or shock on any.
How many miles has your [STRIKE]shed[/STRIKE] car done Rochdale guy ?

Springs are now almost a service item due to being made cheaply, cutting and grinding instead of pigtailing the ends

Incyder

Rochdale guy, it would be worth having all 4 done at the same time. The others have been subject to the same roadsalt and poor quality manufacture so are bound to break soonish. Could be far costlier if you wait for that to happen and you lose a tyre/life or need a breakdown truck to carry you away.

asbokid

Not being funny but if your wife is a larger lady like mine, then in a smaller car I always get her to sit in the middle of the back seat just to spread the load more evenly. That probably would have saved those springs.

Horizon81

I have friends with Fords, Volkswagens and Renaults who have all had springs break recently. The Renault managed to snap all 4, much to the dismay of the friendly local mechanic who'd never seen a car with all 4 snapped!
The stock repsonse is the state of british roads, i.e. potholes and speed bumps everywhere which I'm sure do play a part, along with poorer quality parts.

Rochdale_Guy

LOL @ asbokid!

Here are a couple of bad photo's of under the car pointing at the rear left, then rear right wheels. Can't take any of the front wheels as I'm not a contortionist! It's definitely the springs the pieces are from, although probably the front 2 wheels.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v618/imperialdrag96/rear1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v618/imperialdrag96/rear3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v618/imperialdrag96/rear4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v618/imperialdrag96/rear2_right.jpg

Apologies again I couldn't get any of the front!

Rochdale_Guy

Any idea how much all 4 would set me back with labour? £200 min to £300 max?