Nissan almera spring coil

dennispenn

Hi folks.

Heard a load bang while out driving earlier. Got car home and its the front spring, its broken.

Car is the 05 model. Is this an easy straight forward fix?

Approximate cost for Labour?

Thank you and appreciate any replies.

BlakeS94

It depends. In theory, yes it's an easy fix. Remove track rod end, CV joint and ball joint from the steering knuckle, Remove drop link from the strut, along with brake/ABS hoses and wires that are attached to the body of the strut also. Remove pinch bolt holding knuckle to strut, remove 3 or 4 bolts from top of strut which will allow it to be removed from the car. Then compress the coil spring, unbolt top mount and remove.

In reality, maybe not so easy on a 05 plate with rust more than likely, and each car can be slightly different, some cars need the strut aligned in a certain way when reinstalled, some cars have issues with rust buildup on a particle bolt that makes the job more difficult.

As an absolute guess, and I could be completely wrong, I would say 2hrs Labour for an experienced mechanic and cost of the part, €200 thereabouts would be my guess, thing is you're more than likely going to have to get both replaced as having a brand new coil spring on 1 side could affect the cars geometry. The other probably isn't far behind if one broke

CreadanLady

You need a special device to compress the spring before you remove it. That'll cost a bit too.

Then with one new spring and one old, you might find it is off balance and won't pass the NCT, so you'd probably be wiser to do both.

But in reality it is hardly worth doing on a 17 year old Almera. The cost of the parts is probably more than the worth of the car, which being the model and age that it is, is practically zero.

Dirty Nails

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118858751#Comment_118858751

Jeez Blake,you're making some big job out of that :)

2 bolts bottom of strut, 3 nuts on the top. Don't open anything else. If the bottom one has camber adjustment,mark it before removal. Air gun 15 minutes to remove.

Maybe suggestion to OP, get s/h strut. Loads of them scrapped & less chance of an imbalance.

Dirty Nails

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118858781#Comment_118858781

Cheepo spring compressors €15/20

05 Almera - unless the timing chain jumps a tooth or the rust gremlins attack it, car will go forever.

CreadanLady

If someone going at this doesn't know what they are doing they will knock their teeth out with the spring.

BlakeS94

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118859010#Comment_118859010

I'm a glutton for punishment sure.

I was going off my own car a '10 Mondeo and I know the strut pinch bolt gives trouble so all the other stuff has to be removed and the strut gets taken out with the steering knuckle attached.

The second hand strut is probably the best option if the OP is trying to keep costs down, and no need to spend big money on an old car

dennispenn

Thank you all for your comments.

My workplace is located near a garage so i was going to drive it there this morning as i decided it was more trouble than it's worth.

Tyre burst on the way to work. Had to get a callout from breakdown. Turned out there was a new spring in the other side so the balance was put of sync.

Thank you guys.