Renault Laguna suspension collapse... has this happened to anybody else?

bryanb

I've heard that coil spring failures recently are mostly down to cost cutting. Suspension spring ends used to be ground to present a flat surface to the spring cup. Nowadays many are just cut a right angles on the ends. Citroen did a recall on some models to fit a guard to prevent the spring end ripping the tyre if the spring collapsed.

Inactive

bryanb wrote: »

Citroen did a recall on some models to fit a guard to prevent the spring end ripping the tyre if the spring collapsed.

Sounds like a typical French cure.. .. :rotfl:

I.Higham

The problem continues. The OSF coil spring of my 20002 Renault Laguna snapped as I was reversing out of the drive. Like so many others here I had just completed a long journey the day before and in hindsight the only warning was some slight noise from the suspension at slow speed when turning.

It was the last half a turn at the bottom of the coil that broke off, which makes it the point just after the spring is supported by the suspension cup. The end of the coil is definately cut rather than ground (see above) and examining the break it looks like a metal fatigue failure. There are signs that there had been an older crack before the break but not a substantial one - little more than a surface crack. The shocks are weak but haven't leaked and have passed the MOT recently - the fatigue in the springs suggests it may be related. Those of you that have had the same failure - what was the condition of your shocks?

Quick update:-
Have just found that the noise was being made by the suspension strut top bearing. This had seized (hence the noise) and the effect was that when turning I was actually trying to wind up the spring, rather than the whole thing rotating. This definitely contributed to the stress fracture of the spring and explains why it happened at low speed (when max steering lock applied). Would be interested if anyone else had problems with the top bearing.

fieldheadhotel232

At 60,000 the gearbox seized. £2,000

At 80,000 the Turbo blew - Wow!! What an experience that was. Just like a Formula 1 blowing out its engine!! Of course, blowing the turbo took out the engine also. Okay, Renault did OFFER to replace both free of charge. Wow!! Thank you.

At 90,000 I had an issue with the wheel pressure computer which has now been disconnected but the garage could not take out the old valves which required 2 new wheels @ £160.00 each - haven't got round to the rear yet.

At 100,000 I needed a new driver side window motor. £135.00.

At 100,000 that dreadful banging that someone has mentioned from the back. It's okay say a non-Renault garage, while Renault say it will fail an MOT for it - but it is just a bit of rubber on both sides at the rear that seem to have gone astray and doesn't bother me other than that banging.

At 105,000 as the garage said "a bit of something" jumped off the road and got into the utility belt. That was okay EXCEPT when the utility belt snapped it also took out the CAM BELT!!!! Nice one that. Renault have been in existence for 100 years and leave the utility belt so that "a bit of something" can jump off the road and break it and that is so close to the cam belt, it takes that out too. Oh dear - from new that is effectively the THIRD new engine - and there was I thinking diesels go on forever.

Now, @ 109,000 exactly the same front o/s wheel spring collapse. Exactly so I will not repeat the 649 mile round trip we had just done at 75ish mph. Just came out and there it was with that dreadful grating sound that in my case only released the tyre pressure and did not damage the tyre. I am really amazed that others have had that identical experience. I wonder how that happens?

I love my Laguna but what a price!! And Renault!! One would have thought they would have learned something after 100 years of car making, but when you consider a Formula 1 car can barely cover 100 miles without exploding or the drvers cannot keep them on the road for the duration of the race, one wonder for the normal chap on the road!!

tiff

Your experience sounds very similar to ours, except we needed a new windscreen wiper motor in addition to everything else. Absolutely shocking.

edde

Renault Lagunas do hyave a few common issue but realy there a good car if below adverage quality.

As for the spring failing its a common issues due to a spring manurfacturer so loads of compnaies ie merc volvo etc are all affected its not manurfactuer affected its a production isssue

fieldheadhotel232

For all its failings, I have been told that the Laguna is the safest car on the roads.

edde

fieldheadhotel232 wrote: »

For all its failings, I have been told that the Laguna is the safest car on the roads.

Its got a great NCAP and record for safety like all the renault range have now.

Inactive

edde wrote: »

Renault Lagunas do hyave a few common issue but realy there a good car if below adverage quality.

Isn't that a strange statement to make?

They are junk IMO.

fieldheadhotel232

Regarding "junk".

While I am very upset at the running costs and apparently poor workmanship and lack of learning ability of Renault .......... substandard materials v safest vehicle? safest vehicle v substandard materials? In all honesty, I know which I would chose. Junk - yes. Safest - yes.