Springs in the old days used to outlast shocks by a large margin. Shocks generally degrade in performance over time before they finally and usually suddenly fail. Often they visibly leak fluid long before final failure.

Not easy to answer your question but if the shocks are OK, not showing signs of leakage and you are happy with the ride and handling then I would (and did) replace the springs only. However if you are a sporty driver in your Croma wanting to have the best handling you can then I would change both at the same time. I'm a sporty driver always when I'm out in our Barchetta or Strada Abarth but with the Croma only sometimes. The Croma is not extactly a sporty car that you can get long term pleasure from throwing it around and pushing the handling. It is fun for a while but after that gets boring and tiresome.

Have you "spring changers" decided which make, type and supplier I should use for my spring change?

Anything other than Fiat.

Mine were some funny Swedish brand. Can't remember the name, but it said "cold" (forged?) or something on the box as well as the name. It may have begun with an M (but I'm guessing now). I just ordered based on make/model from a local car parts place.

The new ones don't have the extra-thin metal towards the ends like the originals. The spring reduces in coil diameter towards the ends, but the radius of the metal rod itself does not reduce.

Kilen Springs

http://www.kilensprings.com/

These springs are actually http://www.lesjoforsab.com/default-uk.asp springs sold in the UK under the Kilen brand name.

These are what I fitted.

Just for the record the N/S front failed yesterday. That's both front springs after only 46,000 miles.

I heard a 'boing' noise from the front a week ago. Couldn't see if the springs were broken. Looked ok.

Hellcat said:

I heard a 'boing' noise from the front a week ago. Couldn't see if the springs were broken. Looked ok.

Click to expand...

You didn't run over a West Bromwich Albion fan did you?

bobbyblue said:

You didn't run over a West Bromwich Albion fan did you?

Click to expand...

I dunno, should I have?

Hellcat said:

I dunno, should I have?

Click to expand...

Not a footie fan then? West Brom fans have a chant, boing boing baggies. On a serious note, my Croma makes all sort of strange noises from the suspension including boinging noises, it is the spring seat settling. Other posts mention a mod to fit a rubber sleeve which is supposed to cure this.

Nope, football doesn't do it for me, prefer racing of cars and boats.

Well my driver's side spring (LHD) broke today while changing parking spots and had a wheel @ full lock. Will be changing both front ones for KYB @ 37eur a piece plus 18eur labour per side and 10eur for front end allignment. So some 100+odd quid total which I guess is not too bad for a 5.5 year old car with 110+k miles.

BOOM!


Front left spring has gone! Just done 1000 miles holiday to Belgium and back. First trip around town and this happens. Anyone confirm the GM version for the 150 multijet as the local motorfactors don't have a Croma part number.

Hellcat said:

BOOM!


Front left spring has gone! Just done 1000 miles holiday to Belgium and back. First trip around town and this happens. Anyone confirm the GM version for the 150 multijet as the local motorfactors don't have a Croma part number.

Click to expand...

go low and you can get a full set of fk springs for £48,48

As mentioned earlier in the thread I fitted Kilen springs and am well satisfied.

Unlike Fiat original springs (and I suspect GM and some other OEM ones) these do not use tapered wire. Good solid uniform and traditional spring.

What was even more interesting is that the static ride height did not change and the ever so critical rear suspension geometry for eliminating the Croma's bad reputation for rear tyre wear did not need adjusting.

Struggling to find a supplier...

Most places don't even list a part for the Croma.

Bilstein list some comparison numbers for the 1.9 16v Croma coil springs. Shame the link doesn't list what that would be attached to!

http://web1.carparts-cat.com/defaul...BD6E6817EC06E048E040A8C0143E0532018004&12=140



OPEL
312 172
312 347

Quick answer - look at your axle weights on your car (plate under the bonnet) then get a spring from a vectra C or signum rated for the same axle weights. You'll probably find that front springs from a Vectra 1.9 CDTI fit the 1.9 Croma, I fitted front springs from a 3.0 CDTI Vectra to my 2.4 Croma with no problems (the 2.4 has got a higher front axle weight than the 1.9, hence I had to go for the 3.0 CDTI springs).

Apologies for any confusion, hope this helps.

Kilen spring details

Front: Kilen P/N:12168 (on box) / 78333 (on spring) / 7394410102533 (next to bar code)

Rear: Kilen P/N:52132 (on box) / 78347 (on spring) / 7394410102670 (next to bar code)

http://www.kilensprings.com/springs-catalouges/kilen standard 2011_id458.pdf

Kilen is a sub brand name for Lesjofors.

Any decent UK motor factor should be able to get the springs for you.

Eurocarparts do the springs for £48 each plus they have 25% off until April 25th.


If I get no joy with the info from Mr s130, I'll be ordering them online.

Mine were Kilen. I couldn't remember the name, but remembered the picture on the box when I clicked s130's link (above).

Been on a fair while now, still in one piece. They did squeak at first, but some spray grease fixed that.

I didn't order any particular brand, just by car make and model at the local car spares place, so presumably they're a sensible trade price. They were just under £50 for the pair of rears. I wouldn't be surprised if the eurocarparts ones are Kilen too.

All four of my replacements were Kilens, they have been o.k, I don't know if the rating is different but I would swear they are a bit softer than the originals, maybe it's just me though.