Broken Spring, should I replace both rears to level the van?

[hciR]

I've got a VW T6 Caravelle. Standard wheels and springs.

Front arch sits at 44cm from the centre of the wheel.

Rear arch sits at 43cm

One rear spring has snapped...

Should I be replacing both the rear springs, so the rear also sits at 44cm? Or should the rear be sat slightly lower for optimum handling?

Cheers!

 

[DaveD]

I've got a VW T6 Caravelle. Standard wheels and springs.

Front arch sits at 44cm from the centre of the wheel.

Rear arch sits at 43cm

One rear spring has snapped...

Should I be replacing both the rear springs, so the rear also sits at 44cm? Or should the rear be sat slightly lower for optimum handling?

Cheers!

You're not legally obliged to but personally I'd change them both, they've both been subject to the same loads and use, so the other one is clearly past its best too.
It's always best to change them in pairs.

 

[hciR]

I plan on replacing both yeah fully agree, just not sure on direct replacement or stiffer/longer to level the van?

 

[DaveD]

I plan on replacing both yeah fully agree, just not sure on direct replacement or stiffer/longer to level the van?

New (stock) rear springs might level your van, as the old ones might well have weakened a little before one of them gave up altogether.

 

[Ruby16]

Our T6 Kombi N/S rear spring broke at the very top. Replaced both but made sure they replaced to top & bottom mounts, god bless them, they even replaced the bolts that secure the bottom of the shocks.

 

[Lubrown]

I've got a VW T6 Caravelle. Standard wheels and springs.

Front arch sits at 44cm from the centre of the wheel.

Rear arch sits at 43cm

One rear spring has snapped...

Should I be replacing both the rear springs, so the rear also sits at 44cm? Or should the rear be sat slightly lower for optimum handling?

Cheers!

There is a thread about ride height.
Post 231 is a caravelle, haven’t looked through all of the thread.

Post in thread 'Ride Height Survey'
Ride Height Survey

 

[hciR]

There is a thread about ride height.
Post 231 is a caravelle, haven’t looked through all of the thread.

Amazing thank you!

I've been a bit worried about putting the Koni definition kit on standard 17's, so this is really helpful to see!

If it helps anyone I was speaking with CRS and it sounds like ideally you want the rear slightly higher then the front, as it helps with better braking.

 

[DXX]

I’d replace both but I wouldn’t I wouldn’t replace with the same type of spring unless:
1. The mileage accumulated is reasonable (IMO 100K plus).
2. There was an event like hitting a massive pot hole that caused the failure.

Sticking with a sub-standard design for the sake of perceived aesthetics doesn’t make sense IMO.

 

[hciR]

I’d replace both but I wouldn’t I wouldn’t replace with the same type of spring unless:
1. The mileage accumulated is reasonable (IMO 100K plus).
2. There was an event like hitting a massive pot hole that caused the failure.

Sticking with a sub-standard design for the sake of perceived aesthetics doesn’t make sense IMO.

I should have said the current springs, shocks, wheels etc are all original (and have only done 37k)

Was considering replacing again for OEM, but due to daily load the rear would continue sitting lower than the front. (And I've always wanted to sort of the overall ride it's terrible)

So was considering either a new spring kit / just adjustable rear springs or the full Koni definition kit.

Annoyingly the pricing direct with CRS for the definition kit seems really fair, but I can't get there and back in time for the MOT so it'll have to be a more expensive local fitter, or go OEM for now.. or just Koni springs for now and add shocks later...

 

[DXX]

Only 37K, that’s terrible

 

[Sasquatch]

Probably the failure was corrosion in origin. European springs seem to be made from dairlyea, as as they dont face the ends like Japanese manufacturers tend to the first coil ends up being subjected to weird twisting stresses as well as the expected compression.

 

[Lubrown]

Only 37K, that’s terrible

My rear spring role at about the same mileage.

It does seem really poor for a van.

 

[phazer]

Only 37K, that’s terrible

When I fitted the H&R coilovers in Oct 24, my rear shocks were completely screwed at 17000 miles!! It's a kombi that's had a really easy life.

 

[JOG]

I should have said the current springs, shocks, wheels etc are all original (and have only done 37k)

Was considering replacing again for OEM, but due to daily load the rear would continue sitting lower than the front. (And I've always wanted to sort of the overall ride it's terrible)

So was considering either a new spring kit / just adjustable rear springs or the full Koni definition kit.

Annoyingly the pricing direct with CRS for the definition kit seems really fair, but I can't get there and back in time for the MOT so it'll have to be a more expensive local fitter, or go OEM for now.. or just Koni springs for now and add shocks later...

@CRS Performance frequently dispatch to customers for their preferred/local mechanic to fit and happily answers any queries from the mechanic/customer. Just some food for thought