Rear coil break Passat

FLOOPER

Hi,

Just failed the NCT on a broken coil on a 2006 Passat.

Am sick of spending on mechanic as had sent it in to him before the test but he missed it.

How easy is it to replace myself and would it be worthwhile getting a second hand coil considering I'm planning of getting rid in a year or two.

Thanks

Alanstrainor

No. Do not buy a second hand spring. They should be cheap to buy anyway. And I would recommend replacing both sides at the same time. The unbroken side won't be far off breaking, and may not respond the same as a new spring which could introduce some dangerous handling characteristics.

As for whether it's a DIY job. It shouldn't be too bad, you'll likely need spring compressors which can be a bit hairy to use. I wouldn't expect this to be an expensive job for a mechanic, so it's worth weighing up the effort of you doing it imo.

FLOOPER

Alanstrainor wrote: »

No. Do not buy a second hand spring. They should be cheap to buy anyway. And I would recommend replacing both sides at the same time. The unbroken side won't be far off breaking, and may not respond the same as a new spring which could introduce some dangerous handling characteristics.

As for whether it's a DIY job. It shouldn't be too bad, you'll likely need spring compressors which can be a bit hairy to use. I wouldn't expect this to be an expensive job for a mechanic, so it's worth weighing up the effort of you doing it imo.

Thanks for the clarity. Kinda figured I should do that.

Cheers.

biko

You mean thi coil spring yeah?



Do these in pair, or there may be imbalances.

This is not a DIY job I would recommend.
If the spring comes away suddenly we are talking major damage to yourself if you're unlucky

Kimbot

TBH its cheap enough to get them fitted so leave a pro to do it and make sure you get a pair done together

Bmw123d

Think actually so simple to fit in the rear of a Passat just need a good jack. And yes do not buy a second hand one that is crazy. Can’t see how ur mechanic missed a broken spring. In my eyes there’s no excuse for that. And any experienced mechanic knows where and and on what tho put there hands and check. Was he a younger guy or old guy. Bad for missing that

TheBoyConor

you often hear the "replace in pairs" line and yeah, I guess it would be best practice. But it's a lot of unnecessary expense to go to.

The reality is that it would be most likely be perfectly fine to replace just the one. Ive had and NCT fail on a blown shock in my previous car and replaced it with a scrapyard shock. No bother, no cost. And I noticed no change in handling and got an NCT cert no issue.

The handling and pair replacement thing is only if your ripping a car around the place like a rally driver. If you're just an A to B driver tipping around the place, work, down to the shop, over to your friend's house, it really doesn't make any sort of perceptible difference.

And if the other spring goes down the line, sure what about it? Cross that bridge when you come to it. On the other hand the other spring could very wall last another 10 years.

Bmw123d

TheBoyConor wrote: »

you often hear the "replace in pairs" line and yeah, I guess it would be best practice. But it's a lot of unnecessary expense to go to.

The reality is that it would be most likely be perfectly fine to replace just the one. Ive had and NCT fail on a blown shock in my previous car and replaced it with a scrapyard shock. No bother, no cost. And I noticed no change in handling and got an NCT cert no issue.

The handling and pair replacement thing is only if your ripping a car around the place like a rally driver. If you're just an A to B driver tipping around the place, work, down to the shop, over to your friend's house, it really doesn't make any sort of perceptible difference.

And if the other spring goes down the line, sure what about it? Cross that bridge when you come to it. On the other hand the other spring could very wall last another 10 years.

That is totally correct what your saying. But us in the trade would do things with the best procedures. Like we wouldn’t go fitting one complete audiobook strut and hope for the best.
Doing things correctly gets the best possible out come.

TheBoyConor

And the best financial outcome for ye in the trade aswell no doubt.

It's basically scare mongering tactic so as to extract and additional fee from customers who might not know better.

This is a DIY job so OP, I believe it would be perfectly fine to replace just one spring. Sure if you are changing the car next year anyway who cares as long as it lasts that long which I would be 99.999% sure it will as long as you're not hopping the car off of speed bumps at 80 km/hr.

I've even used wheels with good tyres off of cars in scrap yards and I've never had an issue.

Kenny Logins

TheBoyConor wrote: »

you often hear the "replace in pairs" line and yeah, I guess it would be best practice. But it's a lot of unnecessary expense to go to.

The reality is that it would be most likely be perfectly fine to replace just the one. Ive had and NCT fail on a blown shock in my previous car and replaced it with a scrapyard shock. No bother, no cost. And I noticed no change in handling and got an NCT cert no issue.

The handling and pair replacement thing is only if your ripping a car around the place like a rally driver. If you're just an A to B driver tipping around the place, work, down to the shop, over to your friend's house, it really doesn't make any sort of perceptible difference.

And if the other spring goes down the line, sure what about it? Cross that bridge when you come to it. On the other hand the other spring could very wall last another 10 years.

Well there's the inconvenience of having to go back (and taking time off work?) to replace the second one if it breaks also.

When mine went (on an A4, but very similar) it took out the ABS sensor and was making an awful racket when driven. If that had happened when on a longer journey and shortly after replacing the other side, I'd be pretty pissed. For the price of parts and an hour labour or whatever, it's worth doing both IMHO.

tcawley29

<snip, play nice from now on, biko>

extra-ordinary_

FLOOPER wrote: »

Hi,

Just failed the NCT on a broken coil on a 2006 Passat.

Am sick of spending on mechanic as had sent it in to him before the test but he missed it.

How easy is it to replace myself and would it be worthwhile getting a second hand coil considering I'm planning of getting rid in a year or two.

Thanks

Not a hard job....have a look on yt.

Roberto_gas

TheBoyConor wrote:

The reality is that it would be most likely be perfectly fine to replace just the one. Ive had and NCT fail on a blown shock in my previous car and replaced it with a scrapyard shock. No bother, no cost. And I noticed no change in handling and got an NCT cert no issue.

I changed one and it was grand...no imbalance whatsoever on suspension test...

Tea drinker

Generally my own personal experience of fitting with secondhand suspension is not good.
Spend a couple more bob and get the pair.
GSF probably have a special on or Otto in Tallaght are ok too.