How common are broken front suspension springs?

[john116]

Hi - I've seen a few references on this forum re broken front springs. How common is the problem and should I replace my original ones?

Also, do they break due to manufacturing fault, or corrosion or metal fatigue?

Are the suitable replacements available that do not break?

Was it a particular manufacturing period/type of spring that is the problem?

Any help greatly appreciated.


John

[bl52krz]

The original recall on Rover cars was supposed to be due to a bad batch of springs. But car springs can go at anytime. Cold, rust, and many other technical reasons can cause a spring to break.

[trikey]

Originally Posted by john116

Hi - I've seen a few references on this forum re broken front springs. How common is the problem and should I replace my original ones?

Also, do they break due to manufacturing fault, or corrosion or metal fatigue?

Are the suitable replacements available that do not break?

Was it a particular manufacturing period/type of spring that is the problem?

Any help greatly appreciated.


John

Quite common im afraid! It normally happens when the coating of the spring is compromised and the spring begins to rust.

New springs will be ok for many years.

[john116]

Warm to hot springs in Australia, with no visible corrosion I guess might be better placed not to break? I haven't yet had a spring break on any vintage car I own. But as you all say, can happen.

[trikey]

Originally Posted by john116

Warm to hot springs in Australia, with no visible corrosion I guess might be better placed not to break? I haven't yet had a spring break on any vintage car I own. But as you all say, can happen.

In that case you should be ok, send some sunshine this way

[jim_k]

Hi,
I lost a spring on a Mondeo some years ago and had it replaced. The spring on the other side broke within a few months so I think there is some logic if the springs are old to replace them both when one goes.

I snapped another in my Jag in Whitchurch (Hampshire) when I hit a major pothole though that would have broken springs on any car.

Touch wood I've never broken a spring in a Rover. I don't think they are any more prone to breaking than other makes. I think however that the roads are worse than I've seen in 30 years of driving and that is a factor.
Jim

[steve-45]

It’s not just a Rover problem, nephews BMW broke a front spring a few weeks ago.

[Alan_M]

Originally Posted by steve-45

It’s not just a Rover problem, nephews BMW broke a front spring a few weeks ago.

Yes a common problem. I have just pulled the front strut out of my ex wife’s BMW yesterday to replace a broken spring. It managed to take out a 1 week old tyre at the same time
Had to replace springs on two of my previous cars in the last 3 years

[SideValve]

I often spot bits of broken springs by the roadside and if you speak to an MOT tester they'll confirm its a common cause of failure. Often its just a single coil at one end so not noticeable when driving. The real problem is if they break part way down so the broken end is in danger of damaging the tyre.
A few years back my osf spring broke onto the tyre while the car was left in a multi-storey car park over a very cold January weekend. Had a very interesting time getting the 75 down two floors and out to the recovery truck...
I always fit protectors now

[David Lawrence]

Originally Posted by john116

Hi - I've seen a few references on this forum re broken front springs. How common is the problem and should I replace my original ones?

Also, do they break due to manufacturing fault, or corrosion or metal fatigue?

Are the suitable replacements available that do not break?

Was it a particular manufacturing period/type of spring that is the problem?

Any help greatly appreciated.


John

My front left spring broke on Monday this week. I bought it brand new from KYB which is reputed to be one of the better aftermarket makes in April 2015, since when it managed just 20,000 miles. It had a small rust spot and the fracture radiated out from there.