Broken rear suspension spring?

Rob Bell · 10th August 2012, 15:43

I've spotted something odd about our ZTT - it seems to be sitting a bit lower on the rear nearside than it is on the offside rear.

It has one finger clearance on the nearside between the tyre and the wheel arch above, whereas on the offside it's two finger clearance.

I have a nasty feeling that the spring has fractured.

How common is this problem? I need to take the wheel off when I get a chance - is the fracture usually obvious - and how much work is it to replace?

Thanks chaps!

pab · 10th August 2012, 15:52

Springs usually break at the bottom and it's hard to detect unless you remove a road wheel and inspect it.

Springs do break,common to all cars.Springs are recommended to be replaced in pairs if funds permit..Or if your on a budget,change the broken one.

If you remove the rear seat cushion,you will find the spring specification for when ordering a replacement.

Rob Bell · 10th August 2012, 16:00

Thanks Pab. I'll take off a wheel at the weekend and have a look. I figured that these springs would need to be replaced in pairs.

A bit annoying it must be said - the car appears to be in a phase of its existance when it is haemorrhaging cash

The wife is threatening to get rid of it - which would be a great shame, as I can't imagine anything as capable or characterful to replace it with (short of a Landrover!)

Simon.h · 10th August 2012, 20:20

Have just replaced my rear spring on my ZT, it had snapped in the middle and you could see it through the wheel.

maciejk · 20th December 2014, 20:43

guys is it okay to drive if both rear springs are broken off at the bottom like in this picture these are not my springs only similar visually, mine are in place still

Rick-sta · 20th December 2014, 23:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by maciejk

guys is it okay to drive if both rear springs are broken off at the bottom like in this picture these are not my springs only similar visually, mine are in place still

My ZT's currently in the garage for all four springs being replaced. My rear springs had snapped at the bottom in a similar place to the ones in your photo but the coils hadnt moved apart or gone out of line so didnt drop the rear of the car. However it caused horrendous vibrating of the steering wheel and made the car a little unstable and a bit scary at times to drive. Car didn't feel like itself at all. So from my experience id say not too safe to drive on snapped springs.

davor.091 · 22nd December 2014, 20:05

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rW8mFEaRMv4
video here :xmas-smiley-024:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob Bell

I've spotted something odd about our ZTT - it seems to be sitting a bit lower on the rear nearside than it is on the offside rear.

It has one finger clearance on the nearside between the tyre and the wheel arch above, whereas on the offside it's two finger clearance.

I have a nasty feeling that the spring has fractured.

How common is this problem? I need to take the wheel off when I get a chance - is the fracture usually obvious - and how much work is it to replace?

Thanks chaps!

GrandTourer · 23rd December 2014, 03:24

I had my previous Rover 75 for four years and got through three rear springs. As a part-time musician I'm often carrying a lot of heavy equipment in the boot and rear seat. My local garage owner who also has a 75, said that the springs have quite a taper so they are quite thin at the end and prone to snapping. You will definitely notice a difference in handling with a broken spring.

10th August 2012, 15:43	#1
Rob Bell Gets stuck in ZT-T CDTi + Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London Posts: 561 Thanks: 7 Thanked 10 Times in 7 Posts	Broken rear suspension spring? I've spotted something odd about our ZTT - it seems to be sitting a bit lower on the rear nearside than it is on the offside rear. It has one finger clearance on the nearside between the tyre and the wheel arch above, whereas on the offside it's two finger clearance. I have a nasty feeling that the spring has fractured. How common is this problem? I need to take the wheel off when I get a chance - is the fracture usually obvious - and how much work is it to replace? Thanks chaps!

10th August 2012, 20:20	#4
Simon.h This is my second home Previously owned- MG ZT V6 160 Y plate Lpg, MG ZT 190 2003 In Rare Celestial Factory Ordered Lpg MG Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Calne Posts: 4,531 Thanks: 8 Thanked 116 Times in 108 Posts	Have just replaced my rear spring on my ZT, it had snapped in the middle and you could see it through the wheel. __________________ Previously owned- MG ZT V6 160 Y plate Lpg, MG ZT 190 2003 In Rare Celestial Factory Ordered Lpg MG ZT 190 2004 lpg

20th December 2014, 20:43	#5
maciejk Avid contributor 99 Rover 75 CDT Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: poland Posts: 200 Thanks: 2 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	guys is it okay to drive if both rear springs are broken off at the bottom like in this picture these are not my springs only similar visually, mine are in place still __________________ 1999, Rover 75, Saloon, 2.0 CDT, Manual, LHD

10th August 2012, 15:52	#2
pab Banned MG ZT V6 190+ Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Leeds Posts: 33,223 Thanks: 41 Thanked 1,614 Times in 1,416 Posts	Springs usually break at the bottom and it's hard to detect unless you remove a road wheel and inspect it. Springs do break,common to all cars.Springs are recommended to be replaced in pairs if funds permit..Or if your on a budget,change the broken one. If you remove the rear seat cushion,you will find the spring specification for when ordering a replacement.

10th August 2012, 16:00	#3
Rob Bell Gets stuck in ZT-T CDTi + Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London Posts: 561 Thanks: 7 Thanked 10 Times in 7 Posts	Thanks Pab. I'll take off a wheel at the weekend and have a look. I figured that these springs would need to be replaced in pairs. A bit annoying it must be said - the car appears to be in a phase of its existance when it is haemorrhaging cash The wife is threatening to get rid of it - which would be a great shame, as I can't imagine anything as capable or characterful to replace it with (short of a Landrover!)

23rd December 2014, 03:24	#8
GrandTourer Regular poster Rover 75 cdti auto Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Bedford Posts: 59 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	I had my previous Rover 75 for four years and got through three rear springs. As a part-time musician I'm often carrying a lot of heavy equipment in the boot and rear seat. My local garage owner who also has a 75, said that the springs have quite a taper so they are quite thin at the end and prone to snapping. You will definitely notice a difference in handling with a broken spring.