Broken Spring - bad advice?

[condeh]

Hello

had an unpleasant banging noise driver front, took down to a local chain garage (which I've had good experience with before to be fair), to be shown the broken piece of coil spring. Fair enough.

I was then advised that because the van is lowered and the springs are not OEM, all 4 would need to be replaced, which is obviously very costly.

As far as being lowered/not OEM, I'm the vans 3rd owner and haven't changed anything like that, and I don't have any evidence from the paperwork that a previous owner amended the suspension.

Not a mechanic, but I am dubious that all 4 would need to be replaced.

Am I being taken for a ride?

(PS if there are any recommendations in the Dorset/Hampshire border area that would be great).

2009 T5

Thanks

 

[Dellmassive]

Not sure about that .

Is just replace the one. But make sure it's like for like.

And if you wanted to be thorough, you can replace the axle set... Ie, both fronts .

 

[oldiebut goodie]

Possibly it was advised due to them not being able to identify what springs are on there to enable sourcing just one?

 

[Dellmassive]

Very plausable

 

[JOG]

As @Dellmassive says: replace a pair (ie axle) at a time if you can’t match the broken spring. Given the state of our roads and the salt, OEM spring are no better or worse than decent non-OEM. (The issue I see is not knowing what’s on there at the moment)

A chat with someone like @CRS Performance would be worthwhile

 

[Howzat]

I've just replaced 1 H&R front 40mm spring and seems perfectly fine. The only issue is trying to source a single spring as they usually sell in pairs or a kit of 4.
I'm stuck with a spare spring which I'm holding onto just in case.
I suspect the garage has tried Euro Car Parts who only sell the kit of 4 hence their suggestion.

 

[Kind of Blue]

I would also suggest pair at least and all four preferably, tyres springs, is all their is between you and the road and to stay on it what is a couple of springs or 4?

 

[condeh]

Thanks all for quick replies, makes a lot of sense.
They are suggesting £1k to do the 4 so will get in touch with those mentioned above.

Thanks again.

 

[Howzat]

A full kit of H&R's is £289 and half a day to fit if all goes well, maybe 6 hours if not. £1k seems steep!

 

[JOG]

Thanks all for quick replies, makes a lot of sense.
They are suggesting £1k to do the 4 so will get in touch with those mentioned above.

Thanks again.

You’re being robbed!

 

[dubber36]

I'm guessing by the thread you are viewing as I type this, you are on the south coast. I'd give @BognorMotors a call.

 

[Kind of Blue]

I'm guessing by the thread you are viewing as I type this, you are on the south coast. I'd give @BognorMotors a call.

That sound OK, the only other thing if your not into self maintenance would have been to fit the rears yourself and ask a garage to do the fronts. Bogner Motors sounds best all round the will be fair.

 

[jayc001]

I can change 4 springs in 2hrs on my drive with a trolley jack so £1k is pricey depending on what they are quoting spring wise. It might be a worse case scenario and they've factored in top mounts and drop links as well as including some top tier springs?

 

[JumpShip]

A grand is ridiculous! .
Fronts are much more involved than rears and if you can't match them up then yes change the lot .
Replace top mounts and droplinks while you have it apart .
Any decent garage can change a set of springs , I'd guess they'd quote 3 to 4 hrs labour plus parts

 

[RobertO2023]

Buy a pair! I changed mine on the drive. 1 hr for the rears!

 

[CRS Performance]

Thanks all for quick replies, makes a lot of sense.
They are suggesting £1k to do the 4 so will get in touch with those mentioned above.

Thanks again.

A full set of springs are approx £275.00 £200.00 to fit at us , we could probably match up the one broken spring as we have a bigger range of springs than any other supplier , BUT i would say do both fronts as some have mentioned , fronts £150.00 labour £120.00

Dont know how far we are from you , we in Midlands WS11

 

[Howzat]

A full set of springs are approx £275.00 £200.00 to fit at us , we could probably match up the one broken spring as we have a bigger range of springs than any other supplier , BUT i would say do both fronts as some have mentioned , fronts £150.00 labour £120.00

Dont know how far we are from you , we in Midlands WS11

This is exactly why we should use a specialist like CRS. They do this type of thing day in day out, making them faster and more cost effective. Spot on price Steve.