This week my suspension has mainly been a complete arse.

[Vanderlust]

I’ve had broken springs on cars and my t6 and they’ve all snapped where the bottom coil leaves the platform the spring sits on. On the van the front O/S spring broke a few days before our Europe ferry booking so l just replaced both front springs with oem replacements. Looking at the broken spring the fracture surface showed corrosion a mm or 2 into the springs cross section which suggested the spring had started to crack some time before it finally failed. When I looked at the N/S spring the powder coating was in perfect condition apart from a blister at the same place the other spring failed. May be the spring, as well as the suspension load compressing its entire length , there is an additional lateral flex where the coil leaves the platform. This localised stress eventually causing the failure. Just wondered if other folks experience of broken springs was similar.

 

[Bigsidavies]

When I said earlier that there’s no hint of corrosion, that is the remaining spring. I’ve had a look at the broken off bit and that does have some rust on the outside, but the face of the break is shiny clean material.
I think the bottom piece that sits in the cup maybe sits in water and crap or maybe just by design that’s a part of the spring that’s weak at manufacture.

 

[Stompweaver]

This all sounds horribly familiar!

The Monday before Christmas I decided to fit some second hand T32 antiroll bars to my T30. Wheels off and promptly round off the Torx head in the bottom drop link bolt but only once it was almost completely loose. Cue panicked phone call to Steve @CRS Performance who thankfully fitted me in that afternoon (I am lucky that I only live 20 minutes away).

A pleasant afternoon was spent watching someone competent fit the T32 antiroll bar and poly bushing the lot for good measure. I had a Koni Definition Kit from CRS fitted at the start of December and they also did a four-wheel alignment afterwards which completely transformed the van (it was on 50mm H&R springs and tired standard shocks). The anti-roll bar was the finishing touch. It handles far better than a big old bus has any right to!

The moral of the story - just ring Steve at CRS.

 

[Sasquatch]

I’ve had broken springs on cars and my t6 and they’ve all snapped where the bottom coil leaves the platform the spring sits on.

Only spring I've ever had break was a rear on my Volvo, failed exactly as you described.

Even worse, I heard the thump as I was driving it to the MOT centre. Fortunately a pair of genuine replacements weren't pricy.

Any update yet Big Si?

 

[Velosaurus]

Had to have one of the front springs replaced on my Volvo car just before xmas. Local garage said it didn't used to be, but is now, one of the most common jobs they do due to poor quality springs & state of the roads (particularly bad in SW Scotland).

 

[Lubrown]

I specialise in gutter spotting but the amount of discarded spring pig tails I spot is remarkable and I'm sure increasing in number.

I thought it was just me! I see them in the gutter and on the pavement far too often. They can be a real hazard if they break at a sharp angle near the tail so they don’t sit flat on the road - I assume this is what punctured my sons motorbike tyre as the hole is far too large to plug.

 

[Stay Frosty]

I thought it was just me! I see them in the gutter and on the pavement far too often. They can be a real hazard if they break at a sharp angle near the tail so they don’t sit flat on the road - I assume this is what punctured my sons motorbike tyre as the hole is far too large to plug.

All joking apart a lad I was working with when sparkying had the offside front spring snap on his clapped out Peugeot Expert and it ripped the inside sidewall out of the tyre so no slowing gently and pulling to the side but a barely controlled lurch and grateful to have been doing 30mph around town.

 

[Lubrown]

All joking apart a lad I was working with when sparkying had the offside front spring snap on his clapped out Peugeot Expert and it ripped the inside sidewall out of the tyre so no slowing gently and pulling to the side but a barely controlled lurch and grateful to have been doing 30mph around town.

I can believe it. I wasn’t joking either - I could probably get my little finger in the hole in his bike tyre. Thankfully happened at low speed part of the ride.
I don’t think street get swept much at all these days.

 

[Stompweaver]

How did you get on @CRS Performance yesterday @Bigsidavies?

 

[Bigsidavies]

How did you get on @CRS Performance yesterday @Bigsidavies?

Well...........I had my drop links replaced, my front ARB bushes replaced with the Powerflex bushes and the front spring replaced along with getting the laser alignment checked and all I will say is that the service as usual was excellent and there was some much appreciated goodwill from Steve.
It's how a company deals with things when a customer has a slight problem that is the most important thing, and I honestly wouldn't go anywhere else.
My only complaint is that they spotted a split in my rear tyre which cost me another £160 today for a new Uniroyal Rainsport. Again, nice and thorough spotting a lifesaver there that my recent service didn't notice.

 

[Stompweaver]

That’s a good result then @Bigsidavies, I’m glad you got it sorted out.

You are right, it’s easy when things are going well it’s how companies deal with issues that makes the real difference. I’m happy with the products I have from. @CRS Performance and I’m sure should I need any support in the future they will be there to sort it out.

Unlucky with the tyre but, as you say, I’d rather know than have a failure that best would leave you stranded.

How does it drive now with everything back to how it should be?

 

[Bigsidavies]

That’s a good result then @Bigsidavies, I’m glad you got it sorted out.

You are right, it’s easy when things are going well it’s how companies deal with issues that makes the real difference. I’m happy with the products I have from. @CRS Performance and I’m sure should I need any support in the future they will be there to sort it out.

Unlucky with the tyre but, as you say, I’d rather know than have a failure that best would leave you stranded.

How does it drive now with everything back to how it should be?

It's much more responsive on the steering, and also quieter. Noticably nicer to drive.
The tyre was only just legal tread depth anyway and was about to be replaced, so the main thing was that they spotted it for the safety aspect. Got a shiny new Uniroyal Rainsport on now.

 

[Stompweaver]

@Bigsidavies it's always nice when the work you have done makes an appreciable different to how the vehicle drives. Makes spending the money seem a bit less painful!