Broken rear spring
 

My 2003 R75 2.5V6 Saloon has just broken a rear spring.

My local mechanic has just scared the living daylights out of me - he recalled a similar repair he did 6 months ago when a few weeks after the new springs were fitted the car collapsed at the back end due to the mountings for springs giving way due to the long forgotten tension of new springs. Does that make sense??
Anyway I know that broken springs are common on the R75 but is this catastrophic subframe collapse usual?

Any comments would be appreciated especially if they ease my mind!!

Are there springs which are not quite so strong as others and would possibly not put the same strain on the mountings?

It's common for the upper arms to rust and collapse with spring pressure, available, as are subframes:cool: https://www.dmgrs.co.uk/collections/...4962-clearance

if the upper arm collapses due to a new spring then it was unsafe before and you should be thankful it has so you can address it.

If he was any way a decent mechanic, he would check the condition of the arms, and advise accordingly. The arms do not collapse due to the tension of the springs, they go because of the rust.

many thanks - will keep in mind if needed

Still doesn't ease the mind though!

Yep but still a worry

Still worrying as just paid £750 for front end

One thing is for sure , the rear arms will rust . My originals only lasted 18 years :eek: and that was with a full professional rustproofing treatment some 6 years ago :} I now have those nice Indian ones fitted :shrug:

A rear spring will take a competent mechanic no longer than 30 minutes to change.

If it takes longer, they are either swinging the lead, or incompetent, the last pair I changed for a local member, on the drive with axle stands, took a leisurely 40 minutes, which included cleaning and treating the upper arm cup, and the cup on the bodywork.

The upper arm will not fail due to spring pressure, it is a matter of corrosion, and this can be clearly assessed once the spring is removed.......for example....

https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/a...1&d=1580052923

This is an upper rear arm, the pan with the upraised pip in the centre is where the lower part of the spring is fitted to, this arm even in the state of corroded failure, had not folded under spring pressure.

Now even the most lackadaisical mechanic could not fail to spot a defect of that magnitude and advise accordingly.

Brian :D