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Snapped a suspension spring.

  • 02-01-2011 6:27pm
    #1
    no1beemerfan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,714 ✭✭✭


    Just hit a fcunking pothole going from Ballacolla to Borris in Ossory. Came up on it so quick (round a corner over a hill) and couldn't avoid it.

    Anyways the spring on the front passenger side snapped (1997 Laguna - new spring put on in 2007 0r 2008) and the tyre seems ok but is there anything to look out for. Also is there anyway to see if the shock was damaged?

    Finally any point in taking a picture of the crater and the damage done and looking for compo from Laois Co. Co.?:mad:


Comments

  • #2
    Avns1s
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,423 ✭✭✭Avns1s


    Breaking springs usually points to dodgy shocks in any case. The spring is designed to be compressed fully but at a certain pace. Sharp compressions and decompressions cause the springs to crack and fracture in an instance like you described has happened.

    Carefully check the tyre too and the wheel also particularly if it's an alloy. Rare to hit a pothole that hard, have the consequences you have and NOT damage the tyre sidewall.

    IMO there is no point in chasing the council. They aren't responsible at all unless they have filled the pothole recently and their workmanship is dodgy.


  • #3
    no1beemerfan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,714 ✭✭✭no1beemerfan


    I put in brand new Monroe Gas Reflex Shocks in in June 2008 and new springs (from a motor factors) in too along with new top shock mounts etc. I've approx 50k miles done since.

    Might take the tyre off later to look at it. I've Team Dynamics alloys on the car too.


  • #4
    Nissan doctor
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,223 ✭✭✭Nissan doctor


    The extreme cold that we have had has caused lots of springs to break over the last couple of weeks. If there is any minute imperfection in the spring the extreme cold seems to have exaggerated it.

    I've several cars in over the last few weeks with broken springs, some claim not to have hit anything major.

    I'd say remove the wheel and inspect it, if the wheel/tyre has no damage from the pothole then chances are the break was caused by the weakness in the spring rather then the force of the impact.


  • #5
    no1beemerfan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,714 ✭✭✭no1beemerfan


    Nissan doctor wrote: »
    The extreme cold that we have had has caused lots of springs to break over the last couple of weeks. If there is any minute imperfection in the spring the extreme cold seems to have exaggerated it.

    I've several cars in over the last few weeks with broken springs, some claim not to have hit anything major.

    I'd say remove the wheel and inspect it, if the wheel/tyre has no damage from the pothole then chances are the break was caused by the weakness in the spring rather then the force of the impact.

    That makes a lot of sense. I didn't drive my car for nearly two weeks until thursday as was on hols etc. I hit the pothole pretty bad though...enough to engage the fuel pump cut off switch the second I hit the pothole and cut out the engine. I was able to coast to a halt at a gateway. Luckly I've a good mechanic friend at a Renault garage to tell me thats why it cut out and how to reset it .


  • #6
    Nissan doctor
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,223 ✭✭✭Nissan doctor


    no1beemerfan wrote: »
    That makes a lot of sense. I didn't drive my car for nearly two weeks until thursday as was on hols etc. I hit the pothole pretty bad though...enough to engage the fuel pump cut off switch the second I hit the pothole and cut out the engine. I was able to coast to a halt at a gateway. Luckly I've a good mechanic friend at a Renault garage to tell me thats why it cut out and how to reset it .



    A big red button in the engine bay:D

    If you hit it that hard then its unlikely you got away without other damage, even if the shock is still ok now it may not last. I'd also be surprised if you hadn't damaged the wheel.


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  • #7
    no1beemerfan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,714 ✭✭✭no1beemerfan


    Nissan doctor wrote: »
    A big red button in the engine bay:D

    I wish! I'd been told about it when I bought the car but that was 6 and a half years ago! Its a black button, average size, and in my car was at the back left of the engine. Being dusk when it happened it was hard to find!

    Anyways have decided to replace both shocks along with the springs but I'm after finding out that for the price of two in the UK delivered here its still half the price as getting them in my local Motor Factors.


  • #8
    no1beemerfan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,714 ✭✭✭no1beemerfan


    no1beemerfan wrote: »
    .....have decided to replace both shocks along with the springs .....


    Would it be overkill to replace the back since the front will be like new again?

    As I've said before I replace all shocks in June 2008 and have done approx 50k miles since. Could be a bit higher but in and around 50K miles.


  • #9
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 23,339 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    As an aside are Monroe shocks still regarded as being not great ? The gas ones would probably be fine though. They were looney cheap years ago in comparison to the likes of Boge.


  • #10
    no1beemerfan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,714 ✭✭✭no1beemerfan


    RoverJames wrote: »
    As an aside are Monroe shocks still regarded as being not great ? The gas ones would probably be fine though. They were looney cheap years ago in comparison to the likes of Boge.

    I couldn't tell you! I did pleanty of research when putting them on in '08 and I have to say they did transform the handling of the car and especially on corners but then again the car had 130k miles on it and was still on the orginal shocks!


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