Well, it was not what I wanted.......................
 

.................................... but it made a change for the Bear to get recovered by the breakdown services. Normally it's Banana who gets to ride on the piggy backs.

Going towards Callington on the A388 when I heard a strange noise, turned the radio off and lowered the window. That's either a bearing or the brakes are binding but that smells like hot rubber. Pulled into a layby, checked the wheels for excess heat and found that the o/s/f spring had broke. Oh! Flip or words to that effect.
So I phoned the garage at Treulefoot who said that get the AA to drop the car off and put the keys through the letterbox. They don't open on a Saturday but they still answer the phone to enquiries.

Now knowing that the garage is a bit off the beaten track getting home would be a pain. Phoned Allen and he said he would come out to where I was. Then I phoned the AA at 11am. Allen arrived at 11.20 and the AA at 11.45. Very nice AA man explained that as it was a suspension problem he was unable to tow or lift me onto the towing dolly. But a piggy back would come and get me. But would take up to two hours. Wonderful!!!!!

Val was with Allen so they shot off into Callington to get some shopping. I would wait with the car incase recovery turned up early, fat chance but you never know. A local company, Keltek, phoned me to say they would be there by 13.00. The piggy back arrived at 12.30 and Allen came back at 12.45.

Now because of the Covid-19 I could not travel in the cab with the driver I would either have to sit in the Bear or with Allen. I opted to go with Allen. With the Bear on the back we followed. Allen took the shortcut but the recovery truck had to go the long way round.
And by 13.15 the Bear was unloaded at the garage.

Well happy with the service from the AA and Keltek.

And I'm very thankful to Allen and Val for there help. I owe them big time.
But again a member from this great club has come to the rescue.

Bear
 

Poor Bear and poor you, lucky Zed the Ted was wasn't with you! He would have had an few things to say.
All the best.

Good news and bad Bob, good news no spring compressor required, bad news not in stock :(

Good news not that expensive LINK

Brian :D

Thanks Brian.

It could have been a lot worse. Thursday last I was due to join the Cornish MGOC weekend away in Wales and I would have taken the Bear. I hate to think what would have happened if it had broke whilst I was on the M5 travelling at 69.9mph.

Indeed, that could have been a whole lot worse.

Perhaps there may be someone with a 260 who has a second hand spring they could loan you until the new ones become available......it might be worth asking Les, I don't know what was used in his recent suspension overhaul for instance :shrug:

Anyway at least it wasn't a disaster Bob, and no one was hurt :cool:

Brian :D

We have news............
 

............................. from the garage, and it’s what I was fearing. The cup at the base of the spring had basically rotted away hence the collapse. The one on the nearside is also close to giving way. So two New shock absorbers are on order. Had I not stopped when I did then the I would have had a blowout on the tyre.

Well done in avoiding a disaster.

The disaster is buying new front struts, they ain’t cheap for a 260!

Flippin heck Bob
That's got to be a lucky escape for you mate as you say if that had happened at speed !!..
At least you have banana to keep you mobile till the bear comes home..
take care

The garage has ordered them. Got to spend my money on something Andy, and I love the car.