Tiida failed NCT for front suspension imbalance.

Big Wex fan

The wife's Nissan tiida barely failed its NCT test first time for front suspension imbalance. Changed the shocks, it passed but barely, 28% above 30 is a fail. There was a thread on this before but it's closed and no conclusion on what the cause of this issue. It looks to me it could be a common problem. The mechanic who changed the shocks said the old ones looked fine suggested might be the springs. I don't have to worry about it for 2 years and who knows if we'll have the car by then. But curious what's the real reason for the imbalance and bit annoyed spending money changing the wrong part.

bazz26

Were both on the same axle changed or just one shock?

Four Phucs Ache

That's very slight, could be a worn top mount on the weak side or tired spring.

Also check both front tyres are the same

Big Wex fan

Both front shocks were changed.

CiniO

Is there a possibility that springs are different (f.e. one snapped at some stage and only one was replaced) ?

Big Wex fan

Four Phucs Ache wrote:

That's very slight, could be a worn top mount on the weak side or tired spring.

Four Phucs Ache wrote:

Also check both front tyres are the same

Probably won't do anything about it until Nov 19. The car will be nearly 12 yrs old then, if we still have it. The engine is in really good condition so quite possible. Just more curious if this is a common problem with the tiida because there's a closed thread with the exact same issue only their car failed again with new shocks. Next time, will look into springs and mounts, but at that stage will be cost versus value of car situation.

Four Phucs Ache

CiniO wrote: »

Is there a possibility that springs are different (f.e. one snapped at some stage and only one was replaced) ?

Good possibility.

When replacing a spring on my yoke there were several options available with length varying by 20mm and thickness by 1mm so had to do the two.

Dampsquid

Big Wex fan wrote: »

Probably won't do anything about it until Nov 19. The car will be nearly 12 yrs old then, if we still have it. The engine is in really good condition so quite possible. Just more curious if this is a common problem with the tiida because there's a closed thread with the exact same issue only their car failed again with new shocks. Next time, will look into springs and mounts, but at that stage will be cost versus value of car situation.

Cars over 10 years require a NCT every year.

CiniO

Dampsquid wrote: »

Cars over 10 years require a NCT every year.

But OP's car is not 10 years old yet.

Doesn't change a thing really - I still wouldn't be happy driving with 28% imbalance in suspension, but maybe it's just me. I pay particular attention to vehicle handling. If OP only drives to the shops and back, then possibly he'll be fine.

Big Wex fan

The NCT test was at 9 yrs 8 months so next test is 2 yrs from that date. They brought that in a few years back to help cope with all the cars coming up to 10 yrs at the same time. The car is a run around so all short trips. I can't feel any issues with the handling when driving.

barneygumble99

What were the readings on the retest?? This is very important.

tayto lover

How much would it cost to replace the two springs on a Tiida?

Four Phucs Ache

tayto lover wrote: »

How much would it cost to replace the two springs on a Tiida?

I picked up two new springs for a Mondeo for 50 and local indy fitted for 60 .It was a bitch of a job due to one top nut needing a lot of heat.

Big Wex fan

barneygumble99 wrote:

What were the readings on the retest?? This is very important.

Front axle offside 47Mm, nearside 35Mm. 26% difference(not 28%as stated earlier, but but still not good.) back axle is 46 and 44Mm only 2% difference.

barneygumble99

Big Wex fan wrote: »

Front axle offside 47Mm, nearside 35Mm. 26% difference(not 28%as stated earlier, but but still not good.) back axle is 46 and 44Mm only 2% difference.

They're high enough for 2 new shocks to be honest. What about full test readings??

Big Wex fan

What do you mean by the full test readings? they're the values showing on the NCT form.

barneygumble99

Big Wex fan wrote: »

What do you mean by the full test readings? they're the values showing on the NCT form.

Yeah what were the readings that failed?? Don't see them posted, maybe im missing them somewhere.

Big Wex fan

barneygumble99 wrote:

Yeah what were the readings that failed?? Don't see them posted, maybe im missing them somewhere.

It's the difference between the near side and the off side. 47Mm VS 35Mm

CiniO

Big Wex fan wrote: »

It's the difference between the near side and the off side. 47Mm VS 35Mm

There are results of your retest which passed.
Barneygumble99 was asking about readings from your original test that failed.

Big Wex fan

Oh OK . 35 VS 23 on the original test. So failed at 34%.

Peter256

I have an older Avensis that failed the suspension imbalance test last year and I got 2 new front shocks put into it. When I sent it for the re - test the imbalance read 7% which was fine. But now on this year's nct test my car is showing a 28% imbalance on the front. So it went from 7 - 28% in the space of a year. I only done 15 k miles.
Around 3 years ago I did put a new spring in the front on one side and then shortly after that I noticed the height from the top of wheel to the wheel arch was 1 inch lower on the opposite side. I am now thinking I should have had the springs replaced in pairs, as I read somewhere that an older worn spring can cause a shock to wear more quickly.

Atlantic Dawn

Yes always replace in pairs.

Big Wex fan

Car failed NCT again for imbalance. Coil spring broke on passenger side. Talking to mechanic said only that side needs to be replaced. I would of thought both would need to be replaced for balance to be equal. New spring with 12 yr old spring.
Also ball joint gone. Micks garage ball joint 15_20 quid.
Mechanic rang factors said ball joint built into wish bone so while part needs to be changed about 90 quid.
Anyone work on a tiida know about both these 2 points?

tcawley29

Replace both springs at the same time, same for any car. Also find a new mechanic

Toyotafanboi

To be fair, springs dont usually fatigue like shocks do, generally replacing a single spring is acceptable. Given this particular cars situation though, doing two is probably a logical approach and something to ask your mechanic to do, I'm sure he wouldn't mind the extra business.

You'll always find stuff cheaper online, same with anything, not just car parts. What's the brand or quality of the €15 part, would you end up replacing it again next year? Would you end up paying more in labour to fit the ball joint alone as the mechanic will have to remove and disassemble and rebuild the old wishbone? and what would the quality of that be like as opposed to just bolting off and bolting on a new complete wishbone?

dkd21

If the wishbone bushes are in good condition then there is no need to replace the complete arm . The balljoint is held by a circlip in the arm and very easy to change by itself . No real need to replace to replace the non-broken spring unless you are worried it may fail again in future but is better just to deal with it when it happens , as some aftermarket springs can sometimes be weaker than a 10yr old OE spring.

When you do get the parts replaced , make sure your mechanic double checks for any other worn components before carrying out the alignment . Subframe bushes will definitely be worn out at some stage too which are another thing to keep an eye on

Big Wex fan

I found videos on YouTube for changing the ball joint and the wishbone on the versa. definitely easier to change wishbone. So labour time verses part cost probably won't be much in it.
I think I'll bring it to a different mechanic to get an opinion/price.
I had a look at ball joint, to untrained eye rubber a bit degraded compared to other side. No other signs of wear.
Changing both springs seems to make more sense.

MicksGarage.com

Big Wex fan wrote: »

Car failed NCT again for imbalance. Coil spring broke on passenger side. Talking to mechanic said only that side needs to be replaced. I would of thought both would need to be replaced for balance to be equal. New spring with 12 yr old spring.
Also ball joint gone. Micks garage ball joint 15_20 quid.
Mechanic rang factors said ball joint built into wish bone so while part needs to be changed about 90 quid.
Anyone work on a tiida know about both these 2 points?

Hi! You dont necessarily have to, but if you have to replace 1 coil spring, you should replace the other side at the same time to rule out any potential imbalance. If you only replace 1 spring, the remaining spring might have weakened over the years as well so it's just something to consider. If we can help with anything on getting the part(s) for you, feel free to PM us your car details and we'll sort

Big Wex fan

Got car to pass NCT. I replaced both front springs - got pair from Belfast for same price as local motor factors.
Again front suspension barely passed balance - 28% - 30% is fail.
So I know from the test & retest results, the issue seems to be drivers side. Passenger side hasn't really changed.
Considering I replaced 2 shocks last time & 2 springs this time, Any ideas why balance wouldn't match better?

barneygumble99

Big Wex fan wrote: »

Got car to pass NCT. I replaced both front springs - got pair from Belfast for same price as local motor factors.
Again front suspension barely passed balance - 28% - 30% is fail.
So I know from the test & retest results, the issue seems to be drivers side. Passenger side hasn't really changed.
Considering I replaced 2 shocks last time & 2 springs this time, Any ideas why balance wouldn't match better?

Top shock mount worn possibly.

Whocare

Big Wex fan wrote: »

Got car to pass NCT. I replaced both front springs - got pair from Belfast for same price as local motor factors.
Again front suspension barely passed balance - 28% - 30% is fail.
So I know from the test & retest results, the issue seems to be drivers side. Passenger side hasn't really changed.
Considering I replaced 2 shocks last time & 2 springs this time, Any ideas why balance wouldn't match better?

I take it you check the tyre pressure because if the tyre pressure is uneven it will making a unbalance

corsav6

I'd be looking at weak bushes in the wishbone at this stage. I replaced both wishbones on a vectra as it was easier than just the ball joint, also brought the balance closer to spec.

quantumax

Yes, they have you snookered. I was put in a situation with an imbalance on the front wheels a couple of years ago.
3 different mechanics,
5 parts or sets of parts and 4 retest to correct a 5% imbalance. For so many reasons, its plain as day that it's a money racket scam.