Broken coil spring

WaveyDavey

Junior Member
Messages
69
Just had the GTS MOT'd only for it to get a big fat FAIL owing to a broken front coil spring.

A couple of weeks ago I did hear a loud 'boing' (technical term) from that area - guess that explains it!

Amazingly, a pair of front coils seems to be cheap as the proverbial deep fried potatoes, at only £73. Which is a pleasant surprise.

I'm considering replacing the front coils myself. I assume it's as straightforward as changing springs / coil overs on any other car. Anyone done this job and know of any pitfalls? I guess I'll need to get a spring compressor (which I was planning on getting for a coilover swap on another car anyway) - anything else beyond normal tools?
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,593
Indeed, the only thing you may need is 2 sets of spring compressors.

You have to get them (on a GS) totally compressed to release the tension off the top nut. So, compress with the first set of springs as they wont reach the full length, then use the second set to grab the very top and very bottom coils if you get me.
 

AaronE

Junior Member
Messages
156
or you can do what I did...

481630491c980d498a61e37cc41cd353.jpg


ps. don't do what I did, it worked, but I was scared $#!+less to even touch it
 

Gp79

Member
Messages
1,393
To save a lot of hassle you could remove the strut of yourself and have a friendly local garage use their proper spring compressor and fit a new spring for a few quid.
I have done this with a couple of shock lower bushes and gave them a tenner for helping
 

FIFTY

Member
Messages
3,100
Bloody ****... thats a good one...

I knew a guy who used jubliee clips as spring comoressors... Thats not advisable either!
 

AaronE

Junior Member
Messages
156
Well now at least I certainly know how not to do it...

EXACTLY! haha, I literally made sure it was always perpendicular to me and that I kept my hands away from it. while it did work, it's HIGHLY not advised!

ps. the "correct" spring compressors looked equally scary to me, so be careful with those too
 

WaveyDavey

Junior Member
Messages
69
Just waiting for the springs to turn up from Scuderia now.

Next question is: has anyone got the torque settings for the front suspension components? I could really do with a service manual.
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,593
Just keep your knees together at all times if you get me. Would save time on the snip I suppose but you might break your gentleman sausage permanently!
 

Felonious Crud

Administrator
Staff member
Messages
21,013
Good luck with that, Dave. As far as I know they've not been replaced before, so haven't done badly, I suppose.
 

WaveyDavey

Junior Member
Messages
69
Just keep your knees together at all times if you get me. Would save time on the snip I suppose but you might break your gentleman sausage permanently!

Will do - I'm planning on keeping my chipolata intact!

Good luck with that, Dave. As far as I know they've not been replaced before, so haven't done badly, I suppose.

No, it's not done badly at all, especially given the state of the roads these days. I don't begrudge springs going after 9-10 years, I've had them fail on much newer cars.
 

Sticks

Junior Member
Messages
31
Just had the exact same sequence of events on my 2013 GTS. Most irritating. Hopefully the MoT test centre will be able to fix it. Good info on the cost of spring.