Suspension coil spring replacement

ImranQ
ImranQ Posts: 166 Forumite
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in Motoring
Hi All,
The passenger side spring in my wife's Micra 3 (54 model) broker the other day. She seems to charge over speed bumps so I suspect that was one factor that contributed! She got a quote for £135 from a local mechanic who is usually quite reasonable and from looking around it seems to be the going rate. So I decided that maybe I would change both sides myself - Looking at youtube, it seems quite easy - yeah I know you need compression clamps.

So my questions:
Does a coil spring manufacturer make a difference? I've seen prices of pairs from £16 to £100+.

Secondly, If I enter my details into both Ebay and other car specialist sites, I've seen springs come up which are straight or rugby ball shaped. Does it matter which type? I believe the current ones are the latter.

Thanks,
Imran
«134

Comments

  • couriervanman
    couriervanman Posts: 1,667 Forumite
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    Just pay the £135 it'll be a git of a job for you
  • castle96
    castle96 Posts: 2,884 Forumite
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    used to do/change the (coil)springs on Landrovers/R Rovers. Arduous/dangerous. Pay the money. Landrover springs never seemed to break, but those on my Vaux Vectra did every year/MOT. "They don't make steel like they used to sir" !)
  • ImranQ
    ImranQ Posts: 166 Forumite
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    Why? I can do most car jobs, service, change brakes etc myself. Why not springs? Are you speaking from experience from changing them yourself?
  • ImranQ
    ImranQ Posts: 166 Forumite
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    Also £135+VAT is just for one side.
  • castle96
    castle96 Posts: 2,884 Forumite
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    Me ? yes from experience. If you can do it - do it . 2 hrs, save £135. I am 67 now so what I did when I was 30/40 with a spade and a spring compressor in the road is no longer viable
  • ImranQ
    ImranQ Posts: 166 Forumite
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    castle96 wrote: »
    Me ? yes from experience. If you can do it - do it . 2 hrs, save £135. I am 67 now so what I did when I was 30/40 with a spade and a spring compressor in the road is no longer viable

    Sorry I was replying to couriervanman :)
  • couriervanman
    couriervanman Posts: 1,667 Forumite
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    But it won't be £270 for both sides
  • Nobbie1967
    Nobbie1967 Posts: 1,472 Forumite
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    If the manufacturer fitted the rugby ball type, I'd be inclined to stick with that type and maybe go with OEM parts depending on price. You're saving money on labour, so can afford to buy decent springs and save potentially having to replace a cheap set of springs if they break.
  • ImranQ
    ImranQ Posts: 166 Forumite
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    couriervanman wrote: »
    But it won't be £270 for both sides

    It is literally around double the price for one side!
  • twhitehousescat
    twhitehousescat Posts: 5,368 Forumite
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    castle96 wrote: »
    Me ? yes from experience. If you can do it - do it . 2 hrs, save £135. I am 67 now so what I did when I was 30/40 with a spade and a spring compressor in the road is no longer viable

    dont make spades like they used to :rotfl:
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