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[liz1968]

I have been told today that one of my rear coil spring has broken and will not pass an MOT. What would have caused this to happen. I have managed to buy a new set. Will the job take long to do and is it possible to change them. I drive a `99 omega elite 3.0 6v auto  This has worried me after been told

[Liam]

Just done mine. Wasn't too bad a job. Basically followed the guide on here, although even with the subframe dropped as low as it would go I had to use spring compressors as well to get the old ones off! To put the new ones in (about 2" longer than the old ones on mine as the old ones had settled/sagged) I needed someone to stand on the trailing arm to push it down whilst I levered the new spring in. Didn't take too long, but there are less physical jobs! Spring compressors always scare me too.

[liz1968]

Thank you. Just hope the mechanic I got lined up has got the tools he needs to do the job and I can get back on the road

[Dishevelled Den]

I changed the springs on my car a while back Liz and having  followed the guide, I didn't need to use spring compressors.

Your mechanic will find suitable replacements here;


http://www.kyb-europe.com/our-network-united-kingdom.html

[feeutfo]

Thank you. Just hope the mechanic I got lined up has got the tools he needs to do the job and I can get back on the road

What springs do you have? There are some rubbish parts out there?

Suggest printing guide off for the mech to follow.

[henryd]

if your elite has self levelling rear suspension different springs are fitted

[TestOmega]

I changed the springs on my car a while back Liz and having  followed the guide, I didn't need to use spring compressors.

Your mechanic will find suitable replacements here;


http://www.kyb-europe.com/our-network-united-kingdom.html

Zulu77 I don't know exactly the physicals and weights of your car.  I am more with Liam and I had to do exactly what he did with my wife's help to create enough gap for the new coils to enter the nipple on the top.

I wish you were here to see my blue thumb nail and many scrapes afterwards.  Job did get done, something not right in the guide.

 

[Dishevelled Den]

I changed the springs on my car a while back Liz and having  followed the guide, I didn't need to use spring compressors.

Your mechanic will find suitable replacements here;


http://www.kyb-europe.com/our-network-united-kingdom.html

Zulu77 I don't know exactly the physicals and weights of your car.  I am more with Liam and I had to do exactly what he did with my wife's help to create enough gap for the new coils to enter the nipple on the top.

I wish you were here to see my blue thumb nail and many scrapes afterwards.  Job did get done, something not right in the guide.

 

I don't know what to say Test - other than I was able to do it without the compressors.

I wish you were here

So do I Test, so do I.

[CaptainZok]

I changed the springs on my car a while back Liz and having  followed the guide, I didn't need to use spring compressors.

Your mechanic will find suitable replacements here;


http://www.kyb-europe.com/our-network-united-kingdom.html

Zulu77 I don't know exactly the physicals and weights of your car.  I am more with Liam and I had to do exactly what he did with my wife's help to create enough gap for the new coils to enter the nipple on the top.

I wish you were here to see my blue thumb nail and many scrapes afterwards.  Job did get done, something not right in the guide.

 

I don't know what to say Test - other than I was able to do it without the compressors.

I wish you were here

So do I Test, so do I.

Nearest thing to a compressor I used was me standing on the rear arms whilst the springs were put in place.

[feeutfo]

Or a ratchet strap.

[TestOmega]

I changed the springs on my car a while back Liz and having  followed the guide, I didn't need to use spring compressors.

Your mechanic will find suitable replacements here;


http://www.kyb-europe.com/our-network-united-kingdom.html

Zulu77 I don't know exactly the physicals and weights of your car.  I am more with Liam and I had to do exactly what he did with my wife's help to create enough gap for the new coils to enter the nipple on the top.

I wish you were here to see my blue thumb nail and many scrapes afterwards.  Job did get done, something not right in the guide.

 

I don't know what to say Test - other than I was able to do it without the compressors.

I wish you were here

So do I Test, so do I.

Nearest thing to a compressor I used was me standing on the rear arms whilst the springs were put in place.

CaptainZok I did much like you.  I stood on a hard plank of wood to lever and still barely got it in including using not a well fitting coil compressor.

Now back to helping and comforting Liz for a comfortable night and a good morning.

Liz if your coil spring is damaged like the picture below,



Then I am surprised you noticed as the loss of a small pig tail curl hardly is noticeable while driving and there is little if any danger of the coil coming out over humps, bumps and holes.

If you had a similar damage on the top, less likely as in the picture below, then same kind of observation,



But heaven forbid if the coil broke in the middle, I doubt the coil would still be there.

Remember also that there are also shocks (blue pipe/rod in my pictures) with air levelling in my case which also provide great support.

All in all if the spring is still there it is OK but obviously your sneaky MOT people in UK are probably looking for this break as it is not too uncommon.

Find a good mechanic who has the right tool and perhaps a suitable coil compressor and the car on a hoist with shocks unattached, it will be a piece of cake. 

Good luck and wipe your  and be 

[CaptainZok]

Usual failure mode is the pigtails at the end of the spring break off as your picture.
Unfortunately it's then a broken spring in the eyes of the MOT man and needs replacing.
The only special tool we used was the windy gun, makes it a lot easier to undo the shocker and diff bolts.

[robson]

When Rear springs are fitted they have to go in a certain direction I believe can an indication of the correct fitting be given

[robson]

Just a thought does the rear alignment have to be checked after changing springs

[Marks DTM Calib]

When Rear springs are fitted they have to go in a certain direction I believe can an indication of the correct fitting be given

Its described in the maintenance guide for changing them