What I did with my Rover 75/MG ZT today?

[steve-45]

Very true John, in my 43 years of driving I've never had a broken spring, but now I've a 75 it maybe gives me something to look forward to !!

[marinabrian]

Originally Posted by steve-45

Very true John, in my 43 years of driving I've never had a broken spring, but now I've a 75 it maybe gives me something to look forward to !!

You will Steve you will

I've just trawled through the very comprehensive service history for the ZT, 15/3/2012 replace front coil springs, according to the history the car has covered less than 12,000 miles since fitting

Shall we compare that to 125000 miles without a broken spring on the 45, 398,000 miles on the 214 without a broken spring, or 568,000 miles in my Marina 575 without a broken spring.

Make no mistake the one thing you job will be doing is replacing springs on a 75, they are simply not very good.

So to recap, Mrs MB's 66,000 mile 75......two new front springs
Frosty, 71,000 miles all four springs replaced
Anthracite ZT two rear springs
Disappointing grey 75 saloon, 128,000 miles springs and dampers x four

Dreary Primertallic ZT rear springs and dampers last week, and a pair of front springs to order, and a whole three miles covered since MOT

Oh, and I have a swimming pool in the boot, so next job after the springs is to have the rear screen removed and refitted.

The 45 is nice and dry, economical and best of all reliable

So there you have it, two cars comparable age and mileage, one just works, and the other is just a pain, my days of R40 ownership are numbered, I just want shot of them all.

Never before have I lavished so much care and attention on a car to be rewarded with such disappointment in terms of reliability.

[awvc1]

that being the case Brian, if any do go, would you recommend any particular aftermarket ones that may be a bit more reliable?

[marinabrian]

Originally Posted by awvc1

that being the case Brian, if any do go, would you recommend any particular aftermarket ones that may be a bit more reliable?

Take your pick, the rears I've just fitted to the ZT were Delphi from Best of British Rover in Darleston.

One hundred and eighteen pounds for a pair delivered, coil and wire diameter identical to the original equipment, the spring free length is 5mm longer but that can be accounted for in 130000 miles and 10 years of use.

The one thing that did impress with the new rears, was the fact they had been shot peened for stress relief.

I'll probably give Ron at Best of British a shout for the fronts, as he has good customer service.

[Madderz]

It all stems from them being 'cold wound' these days, in the old day everything was heat tempered....

Probably the best springs you could've bought would've been Eibach lowering springs.......
I bought a Motobuild -25mm set, simply to guarantee a matched set!

[marinabrian]

Originally Posted by Madderz

It all stems from them being 'cold wound' these days, in the old day everything was heat tempered....

Probably the best springs you could've bought would've been Eibach lowering springs.......
I bought a Motobuild -25mm set, simply to guarantee a matched set!

Eibach progressive lowering springs are what I fitted to Frosty, can't get them any more sadly, or I would have fitted them to the ZT too.

I agree though, the quality of parts can be questionable to say the least, who wants to fit the cheapest nastiest tat from China anyway

Brian

[daznkel]

Originally Posted by marinabrian

who wants to fit the cheapest nastiest tat from China anyway

I did exactly that today, when I fitted my Xmas present!

MG7 Rear lights.









Really happy with the new look rear end!

[marinabrian]

Is your boot plinth badge upside down?

Originally Posted by daznkel

I did exactly that today, when I fitted my Xmas present!

MG7 Rear lights.









Really happy with the new look rear end!

[vindaloo]

Originally Posted by marinabrian

Is your boot plinth badge upside down?

It's his Avatar.

[aguy]

Broken springs. Here's an AA statement on the possible causes Click here