broken front spring cause Connie Estate CDTi

boink · 12th December 2018, 17:44

So two tyres put on yesterday at a slightly wild west-ish outfit. Jacked the car up using front suspension arm (?) situated behind the wheel rather than the jacking point. Today on way to work a mechanical crunch and having limped in with a few more crunches the front left springs in bits.

Coincidence or shoddy work? I won't be going back to complain if the latter because It did look like I could end up under a pile of tyres or being fed to the rottweilers.

If dodgy lifting could be the cause, thought it might be useful for me and others to know about and avoid in future.

COLVERT · 12th December 2018, 18:00

Unlikely damage due to jacking. Might have reached the end of its life as MANY have done to other members of the forum. Generally put down to cold weather having an averse effect on the steel in the spring as it ages.---

75driver · 12th December 2018, 18:02

I’ll go with coincidence....
How long have springs been on the car by the way?
‘‘Tis the time of year when springs are more likely to give up, (in colder weather), from what I’ve read somewhere.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

boink · 12th December 2018, 20:19

75 driver, I've had the car for two years or so and replaced the two rear springs. s well as wild west style tyre fitters we've also got a fair number of speed bumps and potholes round Stoke.

trikey · 12th December 2018, 20:33

Its not coincidence, I have seen lots of springs break following the cars weight being removed from the spring.

Its made worse by the cold weather as well.

steve-45 · 12th December 2018, 21:21

And it’s not just Rovers, when I had the 75 MOT’d they found a broken front spring - luckily I had fitted the spring protectors about 6 months before.

The MOT testing guy told me that about 10% of vehicles he tested had one or more broken springs - he put it down to all the potholes and speed humps.

roverbarmy · 12th December 2018, 21:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve-45

broken springs - he put it down to all the potholes and speed humps.

I drive around the potholes and slow down for the speed bumps!

Avulon · 13th December 2018, 07:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by boink

So two tyres put on yesterday at a slightly wild west-ish outfit. Jacked the car up using front suspension arm (?) situated behind the wheel rather than the jacking point. Today on way to work a mechanical crunch and having limped in with a few more crunches the front left springs in bits.

Coincidence or shoddy work? I won't be going back to complain if the latter because It did look like I could end up under a pile of tyres or being fed to the rottweilers.

If dodgy lifting could be the cause, thought it might be useful for me and others to know about and avoid in future.

Most likely to bend the arm than break the spring. Now you'll need the wheel alignment checking..

hogweed · 13th December 2018, 07:34

They seem to go in pairs, for whatever reason (age?) so expect the other one to pop before long...

T-Cut · 13th December 2018, 10:10

A few years ago, the AA publised a report on the causes and frequency of road spring fractures in the UK, which included this graph.

TC

12th December 2018, 17:44	#1
boink Avid contributor Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Stone Posts: 149 Thanks: 88 Thanked 11 Times in 8 Posts	broken front spring cause Connie Estate CDTi So two tyres put on yesterday at a slightly wild west-ish outfit. Jacked the car up using front suspension arm (?) situated behind the wheel rather than the jacking point. Today on way to work a mechanical crunch and having limped in with a few more crunches the front left springs in bits. Coincidence or shoddy work? I won't be going back to complain if the latter because It did look like I could end up under a pile of tyres or being fed to the rottweilers. If dodgy lifting could be the cause, thought it might be useful for me and others to know about and avoid in future.

12th December 2018, 18:02	#3
75driver Posted a thing or two Rover 75 saloon, manual. Rover 75 Tourer, Auto. Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Newry Posts: 1,781 Thanks: 574 Thanked 443 Times in 371 Posts	I’ll go with coincidence.... How long have springs been on the car by the way? ‘‘Tis the time of year when springs are more likely to give up, (in colder weather), from what I’ve read somewhere. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ 2006 75 Contemporary SE diesel manual (#1) 2003 75T Connoisseur SE diesel auto (For Comfort) 2005 75 Connoisseur SE diesel auto (Marmite duotone ) 2006 75 Connoisseur SE diesel auto (The last one?) 2009 E220 (For a change) 2018 L200 (For Big & Heavy Things) 1976 W114 250 Manual (For Sundays)

12th December 2018, 20:33	#5
trikey Premium Trader Rover 75 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Devon Posts: 33,765 Thanks: 8,837 Thanked 14,831 Times in 8,030 Posts	Its not coincidence, I have seen lots of springs break following the cars weight being removed from the spring. Its made worse by the cold weather as well. __________________ Lest we forget..

13th December 2018, 07:34	#9
hogweed I really should get out more....... Vauxhall Insignia CDTi; MG TF 135 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Norn Iron Posts: 2,958 Thanks: 942 Thanked 378 Times in 297 Posts	They seem to go in pairs, for whatever reason (age?) so expect the other one to pop before long... __________________ Past cars: MGB GT; Escort 1300 Sport; Vauxhall VX4/90; Marina Coupe TC; Celica ST (1972); Montego Turbo; Astra GTE 16V; Astra GSI 16V; Golf GTI 16V (Mk II); Sierra XR4x4 Estate; BMW 325i (E30); BMW M3 3.0; BMW M3 3.2 Evo. Left some of the more embarrassing ones out. And about 30 motorbikes.

12th December 2018, 18:00	#2
COLVERT This is my second home R75 Saloon. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: France/or Devon. Posts: 14,003 Thanks: 3,851 Thanked 2,167 Times in 1,816 Posts	Unlikely damage due to jacking. Might have reached the end of its life as MANY have done to other members of the forum. Generally put down to cold weather having an averse effect on the steel in the spring as it ages.---

12th December 2018, 20:19	#4
boink Avid contributor Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Stone Posts: 149 Thanks: 88 Thanked 11 Times in 8 Posts	75 driver, I've had the car for two years or so and replaced the two rear springs. s well as wild west style tyre fitters we've also got a fair number of speed bumps and potholes round Stoke.

12th December 2018, 21:21	#6
steve-45 This is my second home Rover 75 Saloon CDTi Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Belvedere Posts: 4,076 Thanks: 108 Thanked 1,089 Times in 774 Posts	And it’s not just Rovers, when I had the 75 MOT’d they found a broken front spring - luckily I had fitted the spring protectors about 6 months before. The MOT testing guy told me that about 10% of vehicles he tested had one or more broken springs - he put it down to all the potholes and speed humps.

13th December 2018, 10:10	#10
T-Cut This is my second home Rover75 and Mreg Corsa. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sumweer onat mote o'dust (Sagin) Posts: 21,752 Thanks: 341 Thanked 3,660 Times in 2,924 Posts	A few years ago, the AA publised a report on the causes and frequency of road spring fractures in the UK, which included this graph. TC