need a bit of help ...well a lot actually

[t5tart]

I am in a bit of a quandary

as some will know from previous posts I have a broken spring on the back of the ZT which means at very least therear 2 springs need replacing

Knowing my luck this probably means the front 2 are on their way as well

I have a couple of options to me

buy a used set of springs (off a forum member) but no telling how long they will last and get a mechanic to fit them

or buy a complete set of new springs (aftermarket as my budget will not stretch to originals) and get a mechanic to fit them

I would usually do the job myself but I have a damaged disc in my back at the min so that kind of work is out for me at the moment

but I did have a thought

are there any forum member sin reasonable traveling distance ~(say an hour so up to birmingham or down to north London) who would be prepared to help me (well probably do most of it) do the job to save the garage bills

I know its a big ask .. but worth a shot right

[jonc3725]

As the forum member offering you the ZT springs I would say if you are changing all 4 then go for new and take the chance to lower it at the same time:D

If you want the car on the road quickly then buy some ZT rears. I wouldn't say that all the springs would go just because one has gone. My wifes previous 75 had a front snap on the drivers side so I changed both fronts for second hand ones and we never had another spring go. Changing all the springs is no small task especially as the front pinch bolts will be a *** if they have not been undone in years. The rears are a lot easier to change.

If you can afford it go for new all round and take the option to lower her if you want to. I think the ZT suits a lowered stance.:D

Only my opinion I am sure others will be along. I would not want to do the job with a bad back thats for sure:o

[t5tart]

As the forum member offering you the ZT springs I would say if you are changing all 4 then go for new and take the chance to lower it at the same time:D

If you want the car on the road quickly then buy some ZT rears. I wouldn't say that all the springs would go just because one has gone. My wifes previous 75 had a front snap on the drivers side so I changed both fronts for second hand ones and we never had another spring go. Changing all the springs is no small task especially as the front pinch bolts will be a *** if they have not been undone in years. The rears are a lot easier to change.

If you can afford it go for new all round and take the option to lower her if you want to. I think the ZT suits a lowered stance.:D

Only my opinion I am sure others will be along. I would not want to do the job with a bad back thats for sure:o

yes its what I was thinking go for lowered ... however the cost of a full set of lowered springs and the garage bill is going to be tight .. very very tight as I bought some new headlights and an upper inlet manifold already this month :duh:

I can do the full set of springs or the second hand ones and the garage bill but not both ...

on the connie I found the pinch bolts a piece of cake ..and they hadnt been touched in years
I guess its down tot he individual car

Ill give everything a good soaking in penetrating oil the day before anyway :)

[Rick-sta]

I was in a similar situation at the start of this year. Both my rear springs had cracked straight through and also snapped inside the housing. After taking a look at how rusty the front springs were, they were bound to snap some time soon too. Had a shop around and found the cheapest option for 4 brand new springs were the motobuild ones which are £164 at the moment. Not cheap but was the best option for me, also cost £100 labour to fit all four. Unfortunately when they took the front springs off mine they discovered that both the front shocks were shot so had to replace those too which cost over £100 extra :(

My dad had his front two springs replaced at national tyres and they quoted a very good price i believe supply and fit. They also do a free check up after a week or so to make sure they settle in play. He had the rear two springs on his old 75 replaced by them too.

[t5tart]

yer I have been looking around at a full set I reckon about 3-4 hours to do the lot with all the right tools to hand

rears about an hour the gge quoted me fronts I am guessing about an hour each

I havent looked at the front shocks ill bet they are about shot did the rears earlier this year too ...

hoping to get away with the front shocks for a little while longer yet

I know its prudent to do them all at the same time but .. economics comes into play

[Frank Incensed]

If cash is a problem and there's no apparent reason to replace the other (like corrosion on the spring or if either damper is leaking), why not just replace the one broken rear? Why risk one used spring, or - worse - a set of second hand ones?

My reasons for suggesting this?

At 5 years old and 80K + miles one of my rears went (I heard it).

Nobody could spot which spring had broken and the car handled fine.

Two years later it was spotted at an MOT and the garage replaced the one broken spring without consulting me. The car handled fine.

Three years further on and at 125K, one rear damper had started to leak and both springs showed signs of corrosion. So I've had new dampers and new springs.

The fronts are still original and showing no signs of distress.

I'm not known for driving very gently and nobody who drove the car noticed anything odd about the way the car handled - either with the broken spring or the unmatched pair.

My opinion is it's not worth buying second hand on a moving part that suffers stress and wear, unless there is absolutely no alternative.

Hope this gives you an alternative to consider.

Robert

[t5tart]

having had a front spring go on the connie at about the same mileage and had it take out a tyre I would rather do the lot .. if I can

apart from anything else I would like to put a lowering set on

I think its a false economy doing one spring

[Frank Incensed]

having had a front spring go on the connie at about the same mileage and had it take out a tyre I would rather do the lot .. if I can

apart from anything else I would like to put a lowering set on

I think its a false economy doing one spring

You started this thread by indicating cost was an issue -

".... buy a used set of springs (off a forum member) but no telling how long they will last and get a mechanic to fit them

or buy a complete set of new springs (aftermarket as my budget will not stretch to originals)...."

It's usually the front springs that puncture tyres and you can fit protectors.

I also think you can buy better quality and more expensive springs than the originals.

With respect, replacing one spring could buy you time to save for future needs. It would have worked that way for me, if that's what I needed.

Personally, I can't think of greater false economies than buying second hand springs, or lashing out on a complete set of new lowering springs, then finding out you don't like the ride.

My new springs aren't cheap (Kilen) and they're heavy duty, which I knew would alter the stance of the car. I knew I was taking a risk altering things, but I was prepared to buy new, standard rate springs if I didn't like the change.

Still, you pays your money and takes your choice. You'd really need a crystal ball to know what will work out best for you.

Good luck.

Robert

[t5tart]

You started this thread by indicating cost was an issue -

".... buy a used set of springs (off a forum member) but no telling how long they will last and get a mechanic to fit them

or buy a complete set of new springs (aftermarket as my budget will not stretch to originals)...."

It's usually the front springs that puncture tyres and you can fit protectors.

I also think you can buy better quality and more expensive springs than the originals.

With respect, replacing one spring could buy you time to save for future needs. It would have worked that way for me, if that's what I needed.

Personally, I can't think of greater false economies than buying second hand springs, or lashing out on a complete set of new lowering springs, then finding out you don't like the ride.

My new springs aren't cheap (Kilen) and they're heavy duty, which I knew would alter the stance of the car. I knew I was taking a risk altering things, but I was prepared to buy new, standard rate springs if I didn't like the change.

Still, you pays your money and takes your choice. You'd really need a crystal ball to know what will work out best for you.

Good luck.

Robert

Having lowered and stiffened cars before I know what I am in for

maybe worded badly

but the options are price driven

replacing the springs with second hand OE ones and paying labour equates to about the same price and a full set of lowering springs without the labour ....

If I can get some help on doing the job (due to the back injury) then ill go down the route of new springs

I would rather do the job with new springs than second hand ones .... obviously .. and if you are doing one rear spring you may as well do both (in fact I would rather than having springs of different ages)

I wouldnt just change one spring .... 2 OE new ones are about the same cost as a lowering kit ... so thats out 2 second hand ones and the labour I can afford 4 second hand ones and the labour I can afford

[t5tart]

anyone able to help ?

[ryszard]

Hi,where abouts do you live,I'm in Northampton,could come down and help you if not too far away,am no expert but do my own general maintenance.Recently replaced the rear springs on my car.Will you have all the tools required?Regards Ry.....

[t5tart]

ill PM you

[ryszard]

Hi,have just replied.Regards Ry...

[minimutly]

Theres a big difference between fitting your own second hand spring and paying a garage to do it. Pesonally, if i could be sure they were identical i wouldnt worry about swapping a rear one, theyre easy enough to change.
If you want to lower the car you'll have to do all together, simple.
"Std" rear springs are rarely the right ones since the demise of rover - willing to be corrected here, my experience has been you get the one size fits all andthey neither know or care what rate it is.
My daughters went bang, i bought two new mgzt klien springs, fitted one at a time. The car sat high on the new spring, and wobbled around the new stiffer spring. So it was stiffer and higher, great. I must say the car was a comfort version, and it may be the spring was for a sport version, but you get my drift hopefully.
The originals are colour coded, if you can confirm a match, and get it fitted cheaply you will be fine, but obviously no guarantees. As Said earlier, it could mean you can afford a complete set sooner.

[t5tart]

Theres a big difference between fitting your own second hand spring and paying a garage to do it. Pesonally, if i could be sure they were identical i wouldnt worry about swapping a rear one, theyre easy enough to change.
If you want to lower the car you'll have to do all together, simple.
"Std" rear springs are rarely the right ones since the demise of rover - willing to be corrected here, my experience has been you get the one size fits all andthey neither know or care what rate it is.
My daughters went bang, i bought two new mgzt klien springs, fitted one at a time. The car sat high on the new spring, and wobbled around the new stiffer spring. So it was stiffer and higher, great. I must say the car was a comfort version, and it may be the spring was for a sport version, but you get my drift hopefully.
The originals are colour coded, if you can confirm a match, and get it fitted cheaply you will be fine, but obviously no guarantees. As Said earlier, it could mean you can afford a complete set sooner.


yer I have been offerend a full set oof a member here all colour matched exact
however I am thinking loweing

the issue being my back means I can do it alone ...so ill have to get help or pay a garage the cost of paying a garage decides if i go for new full set lowering or new generic rears only or full set of second hand

if I do anything generic I would rather do all 4 so spring rates are the same ;)


but I think its sorted now thanks