ZT front springs, the garage can't compress them. Bit urgent. - Page 4

mh007 · 31st May 2018, 09:54

There's something really wrong here.

I've lost count the number of springs I've fitted to these cars & never had a problem like this. Using just decent standard spring compressors too, nothing fancy.

If all else fails, fit a complete used strut already assembled.

howardf · 31st May 2018, 10:37

The hard work has been done in removing rhe bottom pinch bolt!
I can't understand why he is struggling... I managed with some standard Spring compressors fine.

TomRS · 31st May 2018, 12:21

I would just remove them and do it yourself... there is many guides.

Buy a set of compressors and sit one saturday on the driveway with your jack and some tools (if you can)

Or barring that speak to Jules and see if he can offer some sort of replacement/exchange service.
I'm not sure its difficult to suggest things when its such a straight forward job, as said the hard bit is removing the strut...... and thats done.

EdgarDonaldBalls · 31st May 2018, 14:40

Well, got the car back.

They apparently spoke to Jules and he's too busy but gave them the name of a garage he knows. It's a bit too far for me to drive with a broken spring and a space saver tyre though. Maybe if I can get the struts off, i will take them. only the nearside was removed so I will still have to struggle with the offside but apparently it came off easy enough with a little heat.

I am waiting to hear back from a friend who knows a guy who may be able to do it, he builds grass track cars so should be brave enough. ;-)

Currently considering fitting a complete used strut as a temporary measure so at least the car is usuable while I find somebody who can swap the springs or buy some tools, get brave and do it myself. Not too easy to find a complete strut on ebay though, mostly they are listed just as fitting both rover 75 and MG ZT so pretty much useless.

Coups · 31st May 2018, 19:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdgarDonaldBalls

Well, got the car back.

They apparently spoke to Jules and he's too busy but gave them the name of a garage he knows. It's a bit too far for me to drive with a broken spring and a space saver tyre though. Maybe if I can get the struts off, i will take them. only the nearside was removed so I will still have to struggle with the offside but apparently it came off easy enough with a little heat.

I am waiting to hear back from a friend who knows a guy who may be able to do it, he builds grass track cars so should be brave enough. ;-)

Currently considering fitting a complete used strut as a temporary measure so at least the car is usuable while I find somebody who can swap the springs or buy some tools, get brave and do it myself. Not too easy to find a complete strut on ebay though, mostly they are listed just as fitting both rover 75 and MG ZT so pretty much useless.

I can’t offer anything more than has already been said other than to say, I’ve just bought two complete strut assemblies from Mickyboy, a trusted member and trader on here. If that’s a route you choose to follow I’m sure he could help source the correct one for your car. Best of luck!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

neilll · 9th June 2018, 00:50

Hi Adam,
Had this problem 18 months ago! Took my struts to my local mechanic to remove springs as he had the "proper" kit to do it. Long story short did them myself with old spring compressors and extra ad hoc tool made up to take up the "slack"
ZT springs are quite short, be brave not too difficult.
If you can`t get anyone to do them near you, I am in st helens (not to far) and can give you a hand (confidence to do them).
Regards
Neil

EdgarDonaldBalls · 9th June 2018, 16:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilll

Hi Adam,
Had this problem 18 months ago! Took my struts to my local mechanic to remove springs as he had the "proper" kit to do it. Long story short did them myself with old spring compressors and extra ad hoc tool made up to take up the "slack"
ZT springs are quite short, be brave not too difficult.
If you can`t get anyone to do them near you, I am in st helens (not to far) and can give you a hand (confidence to do them).
Regards
Neil

I'm now planning on replacing the shocks at the same time as they are quite old and one has a bit of a leak, they will need doing some time soon so may as well get it all done in one go to save going through this mess again.

If complete struts were available, it would simplify the whole process but all that seems to be available for the ZT are 1.8 petrol struts which will make it sit lower and make who knows what difference to the handling so would rather stick to the right spec.

I have made sure the pinch bolts are able to be loosened (and pulled a muscle in the process) so I can remove the struts and take them to a pretty old school chap who should have no problem getting the springs compressed even if he has to use some unorthodox practices. I'm hoping he can fit me in soon but he's pretty busy.

If he lets me down, I may take you up on your offer

EdgarDonaldBalls · 2nd July 2018, 21:02

bit of an update because I don't like leaving threads without updates or conclusions.

I have been too unwell to get out and remove the struts myself so have been calling around local garages.

I have yet to find one willing to fit the parts I supply.

I asked a few to get me a price including parts, only one garage managed to find shocks but told me there were quite a few options and didn't know the correct one (I told them where to find the info in the future but they didn't seem to care) all the others said they were either out of stock or no longer available. Two garages found some springs and would tell me the part number, both were wrong, one was a 75 part, the other listed every model of ZT including 1.8 as compatible (i forget the brand, it was one I had never had heard of). the others said they couldn't tell me the part numbers and that their suppliers know the right parts so I don't need to worry.

the one that could actually find the shocks wanted nearly a grand to do the job including parts, can't afford that, especially since I have already spent nearly £300 on parts. Even if I can return the parts I have, that's still way too much to pay to possibly have the wrong parts fitted.

I'm pretty NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD- off at the whole situation right now. Still have one more place to try but I don't have much hope.

operamagorum · 2nd July 2018, 21:18

Sorry to butt in, but I use Jules all the time and drive to him from Dorset. Strongly advise you to call him in the morning or pm him now. He is extremely helpful and goes out of his way to assist.

T16 · 2nd July 2018, 21:25

Tom,

What is this AMG in your signature?

Is that colour factory finish?

I'd love a C63 estate, looks like the E63 is too pricey.

31st May 2018, 09:54	#31
mh007 This is my second home MG ZT260 SE, MG ZT190+, MG ZTT 160, R75 Conn SE 2.0, R75 Conn SE 2.5 X 3, R75 Club SE 1.8, P5B Coupe Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Keynsham, Bristol Posts: 4,211 Thanks: 65 Thanked 635 Times in 499 Posts	There's something really wrong here. I've lost count the number of springs I've fitted to these cars & never had a problem like this. Using just decent standard spring compressors too, nothing fancy. If all else fails, fit a complete used strut already assembled. Last edited by mh007; 31st May 2018 at 09:57..

31st May 2018, 12:21	#33
TomRS Posted a thing or two Mk1 ZT 190 - Mk2 ZS 180 - Mercedes E63 AMG S - Ford Ranger Hawk Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Middlesbrough Posts: 1,456 Thanks: 123 Thanked 409 Times in 281 Posts	I would just remove them and do it yourself... there is many guides. Buy a set of compressors and sit one saturday on the driveway with your jack and some tools (if you can) Or barring that speak to Jules and see if he can offer some sort of replacement/exchange service. I'm not sure its difficult to suggest things when its such a straight forward job, as said the hard bit is removing the strut...... and thats done. __________________ http://i66.tinypic.com/5cd6xj.jpg

31st May 2018, 14:40	#34
EdgarDonaldBalls Avid contributor MG ZT CDTi XPower Grey Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Chester Posts: 153 Thanks: 31 Thanked 37 Times in 30 Posts	Well, got the car back. They apparently spoke to Jules and he's too busy but gave them the name of a garage he knows. It's a bit too far for me to drive with a broken spring and a space saver tyre though. Maybe if I can get the struts off, i will take them. only the nearside was removed so I will still have to struggle with the offside but apparently it came off easy enough with a little heat. I am waiting to hear back from a friend who knows a guy who may be able to do it, he builds grass track cars so should be brave enough. ;-) Currently considering fitting a complete used strut as a temporary measure so at least the car is usuable while I find somebody who can swap the springs or buy some tools, get brave and do it myself. Not too easy to find a complete strut on ebay though, mostly they are listed just as fitting both rover 75 and MG ZT so pretty much useless. Last edited by EdgarDonaldBalls; 31st May 2018 at 15:52..

31st May 2018, 10:37	#32
howardf Regular poster ROVER 75 SALOON Join Date: May 2014 Location: Doncaster Posts: 64 Thanks: 22 Thanked 25 Times in 15 Posts	The hard work has been done in removing rhe bottom pinch bolt! I can't understand why he is struggling... I managed with some standard Spring compressors fine.

9th June 2018, 00:50	#36
neilll Gets stuck in MG ZT,MG ZT-T Join Date: May 2008 Location: St. Helens Posts: 961 Thanks: 211 Thanked 235 Times in 158 Posts	Hi Adam, Had this problem 18 months ago! Took my struts to my local mechanic to remove springs as he had the "proper" kit to do it. Long story short did them myself with old spring compressors and extra ad hoc tool made up to take up the "slack" ZT springs are quite short, be brave not too difficult. If you can`t get anyone to do them near you, I am in st helens (not to far) and can give you a hand (confidence to do them). Regards Neil

2nd July 2018, 21:02	#38
EdgarDonaldBalls Avid contributor MG ZT CDTi XPower Grey Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Chester Posts: 153 Thanks: 31 Thanked 37 Times in 30 Posts	bit of an update because I don't like leaving threads without updates or conclusions. I have been too unwell to get out and remove the struts myself so have been calling around local garages. I have yet to find one willing to fit the parts I supply. I asked a few to get me a price including parts, only one garage managed to find shocks but told me there were quite a few options and didn't know the correct one (I told them where to find the info in the future but they didn't seem to care) all the others said they were either out of stock or no longer available. Two garages found some springs and would tell me the part number, both were wrong, one was a 75 part, the other listed every model of ZT including 1.8 as compatible (i forget the brand, it was one I had never had heard of). the others said they couldn't tell me the part numbers and that their suppliers know the right parts so I don't need to worry. the one that could actually find the shocks wanted nearly a grand to do the job including parts, can't afford that, especially since I have already spent nearly £300 on parts. Even if I can return the parts I have, that's still way too much to pay to possibly have the wrong parts fitted. I'm pretty NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD- off at the whole situation right now. Still have one more place to try but I don't have much hope.

2nd July 2018, 21:18	#39
operamagorum Loves to post BMW 330i Touring Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Blandford Forum Posts: 378 Thanks: 184 Thanked 159 Times in 89 Posts	Sorry to butt in, but I use Jules all the time and drive to him from Dorset. Strongly advise you to call him in the morning or pm him now. He is extremely helpful and goes out of his way to assist.

2nd July 2018, 21:25	#40
T16 I really should get out more....... ZT CDTi 135, ZT260SE Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Dundee Posts: 2,877 Thanks: 10 Thanked 331 Times in 213 Posts	Tom, What is this AMG in your signature? Is that colour factory finish? I'd love a C63 estate, looks like the E63 is too pricey.