Hi.  The main suspension spring on my X-reg Fiat Punto has broken. The
top section with just over half-a-circle has broken off, so most of the
spring is still intact. The car has done about 47000 miles in 4.5 years
so I think this is an early and unexpected failure.

Would appreciate comments on:
= whether this is a known or a common problem
= what to  consider when getting a garage to fix it
= should I worry about the spring on the other front wheel.

Thanks in anticipation.
Adrian

"Adrian"  wrote in message 
news:1121066702.053507.160100@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

> Hi.  The main suspension spring on my X-reg Fiat Punto has broken. The
> top section with just over half-a-circle has broken off, so most of the
> spring is still intact. The car has done about 47000 miles in 4.5 years
> so I think this is an early and unexpected failure.
>
> Would appreciate comments on:
> = whether this is a known or a common problem
> = what to  consider when getting a garage to fix it
> = should I worry about the spring on the other front wheel.
>
> Thanks in anticipation.
> Adrian
>


spring failure is getting very common due to speed humps.

most garages can fix this.

preferably change both sides, but you will probably never know the 
difference if you only do one.

mrcheerful

mrcheerful . wrote:


> spring failure is getting very common due to speed humps.


I agree it's common but because of speed bumps? Thinner springs
seems to me to be a more likely cause.

John

"John Greystrong"  wrote in message 
news:datg3q$l9a$1@helium.hgmp.mrc.ac.uk...

> mrcheerful . wrote:
>
>> spring failure is getting very common due to speed humps.
>
> I agree it's common but because of speed bumps? Thinner springs
> seems to me to be a more likely cause.
>
> John


Not really, as a thinner spring has less cross sectional area to get 
stressed.
I am regularly fitting springs now that we have speed humps everywhere (and 
mini roundabouts)  It used to really rare to fit springs.
Speed humps in some areas are so common that all the suspension bits are 
wearing extra fast.  Some designs are more prone to problems, e.g. a 
Mitsubishi I looked at the other day, the bottom ball joint is under 
enormous pressure every bump, because the spring goes to the bottom arm, so 
the wheel is smashed away from the balljoint every bump, this car had torn 
out the bottom balljoint at a speed hump.  I was surprised at the design as 
it looked like it was asking for trouble.

mrcheerful