Preventative Maintenance Part 2 - Dodging a bullet

AndyN01 · 27th April 2020, 13:00

Hi all.

I've a problem........

No one suggested new springs

.

Checked the car this morning and found this:

.

Yes, that is a brand new Avon ZV7.

The good news is that it happened while parked up on SORN and not while on the move. I'm taking that as a bullet dodged.

Let all the air out of the tyre and the wheel came off easily.

If you haven't got shares in Plus Gas then now's the time to get some as it's being liberally sprayed all around the nuts & bolts that'll need to come off.

.

Pondering whether to just get 2 new springs all go the whole hog and get a pair of complete struts?

Stay safe.

Andy.

PS I have a new pair of tyre protectors from Rimmers sale that I hadn't got round to fitting. They'll definitely be going on.

RogerHeinz57 · 27th April 2020, 14:01

Ouch !
In my opinion it would be best to replace both front coil springs and for a bit extra replace the top mounts at the same time.
Removal of the whole front leg saves time and bolt shearing disasters for the upright to hub carrier. Usually about an hour a side to remove and install plus 15 minutes to replace the spring if done sensibly.
Slacken the two upper 18mm nuts with the weight of the car still on the floor prior to jacking and supporting the car as this makes thing even easier !

Hope all goes smoothly !

trikey · 27th April 2020, 14:41

It’s an easier job if you get the complete strut Andy, don’t forget you need a six sided impact socket for the pinch bolt, do not try and remove it with anything else.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

sworks · 27th April 2020, 15:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by trikey

don’t forget you need a six sided impact socket for the pinch bolt, do not try and remove it with anything else.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Is it 15mm Andy? I’m struggling to remember

Brunty · 27th April 2020, 16:13

Shame it needs doing now, new front struts coming soon from DMGRS if you could wait a couple of months. BUT. That would mean driving the Passat.

markypicks · 27th April 2020, 16:51

mine did same last year( and a new tyre as well) but i had to cut spring off with angle grinder and fitted new springs on both sides rgds mark

AndyN01 · 27th April 2020, 17:31

Thanks all.

It is 15mm and, of course, that's the size I haven't got in impact

I might wait for the DMGRS ones and use the Passat.

Fortunately I'm not under any tight timescale to get her back onto her wheels.

Take care, stay safe.

Andy.

Mike Noc · 27th April 2020, 19:24

Yes a good idea to fit the tyre protectors. Some people have still had the broken spring end go into the tyre but all the spring breakages I've had with the protectors in place have held the spring, and all the ones that haven't have gone into the tyre.

For the money it's a no brainer.

marinabrian · 27th April 2020, 19:37

Oh dear, a spring pandemic, first Mike, then me, now you

Take a look HERE Andy

It describes in some detail what is involved in doing the job

And yes it is a 15mm impact socket needed for the pinch bolt, unless it has wasted through rust.

In any event, give the end of the pinch bolt a good hard smack on the end with a mash hammer to break the rust seal of the thread, and tighten first before slackening

At least the weather is nice at the moment

Brian

27th April 2020, 13:00	#1
AndyN01 This is my second home Toyota RAV4 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Tamworth Posts: 3,070 Thanks: 2,478 Thanked 1,579 Times in 968 Posts	Preventative Maintenance Part 2 - Dodging a bullet Hi all. I've a problem........ No one suggested new springs . Checked the car this morning and found this: . Yes, that is a brand new Avon ZV7. The good news is that it happened while parked up on SORN and not while on the move. I'm taking that as a bullet dodged. Let all the air out of the tyre and the wheel came off easily. If you haven't got shares in Plus Gas then now's the time to get some as it's being liberally sprayed all around the nuts & bolts that'll need to come off. . Pondering whether to just get 2 new springs all go the whole hog and get a pair of complete struts? Stay safe. Andy. PS I have a new pair of tyre protectors from Rimmers sale that I hadn't got round to fitting. They'll definitely be going on. Last edited by AndyN01; 27th April 2020 at 13:03..

27th April 2020, 14:41	#3
trikey Premium Trader Rover 75 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Devon Posts: 33,763 Thanks: 8,837 Thanked 14,831 Times in 8,030 Posts	It’s an easier job if you get the complete strut Andy, don’t forget you need a six sided impact socket for the pinch bolt, do not try and remove it with anything else. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Lest we forget..

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

27th April 2020, 14:01	#2
RogerHeinz57 I really should get out more....... A Reasonably Priced Car Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Burton Latimer Posts: 2,530 Thanks: 408 Thanked 1,064 Times in 712 Posts	Ouch ! In my opinion it would be best to replace both front coil springs and for a bit extra replace the top mounts at the same time. Removal of the whole front leg saves time and bolt shearing disasters for the upright to hub carrier. Usually about an hour a side to remove and install plus 15 minutes to replace the spring if done sensibly. Slacken the two upper 18mm nuts with the weight of the car still on the floor prior to jacking and supporting the car as this makes thing even easier ! Hope all goes smoothly !

27th April 2020, 16:13	#5
Brunty Loves to post Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Newtown Posts: 415 Thanks: 273 Thanked 95 Times in 65 Posts	Shame it needs doing now, new front struts coming soon from DMGRS if you could wait a couple of months. BUT. That would mean driving the Passat.

27th April 2020, 16:51	#6
markypicks Gets stuck in rover 75 saloon cdt club se re map 160 bhp Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: sheffield Posts: 558 Thanks: 227 Thanked 169 Times in 135 Posts	mine did same last year( and a new tyre as well) but i had to cut spring off with angle grinder and fitted new springs on both sides rgds mark

27th April 2020, 17:31	#7
AndyN01 This is my second home Toyota RAV4 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Tamworth Posts: 3,070 Thanks: 2,478 Thanked 1,579 Times in 968 Posts	Thanks all. It is 15mm and, of course, that's the size I haven't got in impact I might wait for the DMGRS ones and use the Passat. Fortunately I'm not under any tight timescale to get her back onto her wheels. Take care, stay safe. Andy.

27th April 2020, 19:24	#8
Mike Noc This is my second home Rover 75 CDT Manual Connoisseur SE, Rover 75 CDT Automatic Connoisseur SE & a Freelander Td4. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hampshire Posts: 11,547 Thanks: 3,470 Thanked 3,119 Times in 2,247 Posts	Yes a good idea to fit the tyre protectors. Some people have still had the broken spring end go into the tyre but all the spring breakages I've had with the protectors in place have held the spring, and all the ones that haven't have gone into the tyre. For the money it's a no brainer.

27th April 2020, 19:37	#9
marinabrian MG ZT Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne Posts: 20,151 Thanks: 3,565 Thanked 10,837 Times in 5,718 Posts	Oh dear, a spring pandemic, first Mike, then me, now you Take a look HERE Andy It describes in some detail what is involved in doing the job And yes it is a 15mm impact socket needed for the pinch bolt, unless it has wasted through rust. In any event, give the end of the pinch bolt a good hard smack on the end with a mash hammer to break the rust seal of the thread, and tighten first before slackening At least the weather is nice at the moment Brian