Technical m/w rear springs- question

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Technical m/w rear springs- question

cheddar

jtd multiwagon '03 115bhp
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Dec 13, 2008
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I was having a pre-MOT peeek-a-boo about the rear of the multiwagon today. I noticed that the rubber cap (dunno the term?) above each spring had deteriorated almost to the point of extinction. I know nowt about suspension, so any comments welcome, particularly dealing with-
are they there to stop the spring knocking on underside of car?
are they replaceable?
are they available separate from the springs?
should i replace the springs at the same time - is there an expected spring life?
should i replace all springs (constant "complaining" noises from the front suspension) over ramps, tight corners etc.

Thanks a lot
ps do the exhaust back box rubber mounts become too soft with age? just asking cause i noticed that the edge of the mount bracket is contacting the inside of the upper coil of the spring!! as though the exhaust can now travel sideways far enough to contact the spring! erm , what do you think is happening there, would a new rubber mount stiffen things up again?
cheers cheddar
 
The rubber type part at the top of the spring is a bump stop. It is replaceable and available separately. You would only need to replace the springs if they are damaged or sagging.
 

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ta muchly davren
strangely the rubber cap thingy is not the bump stop as in your thumbnail, but more ressembles part 5 - thrust washer.
it may be fabric/rubber, but the remnants seem yellowish where i peeled away crumbling debris.
i'm still puzzled - if your diagram is right then the spring has no rubber top cap - ouch.
so the spring would simply fit up tight under the car? confused still i am.
any suggestions about the exhausts lateral travel i mentioned?
gracias
 
ps do the exhaust back box rubber mounts become too soft with age? just asking cause i noticed that the edge of the mount bracket is contacting the inside of the upper coil of the spring!! as though the exhaust can now travel sideways far enough to contact the spring! erm , what do you think is happening there, would a new rubber mount stiffen things up again?
cheers cheddar

Yes exhaust hangers do perish with age. New mounts will improve the situation and reduce the amount of movement of the pipe.
 
i have checked the front springs this morning. they have the exact same "Rubber cap" on the spring tops.
Davren, if you read this, could you see if the parts explosion for the front suspension show this part?
thanks. David.
 
This is the diagram for the front springs. The bump stop is combined with the shock absorber gaiter as item #4.

Item #5 in the rear spring diagram above is a plastic ring.
Item #11 in the front spring diagram is a rubber ring.
 

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I think you mean the rubber in the mounting eye at the top of the rear shockabsorber. My MW had this. It looked terrible, like the shock was about to fall off, but it never did and always passed MOT.
 
Thanks John and Davren. From the pix, it looks like item 10 is the boyo I'm after. Its a ring to cover the spring top. A chat has been had with the local Fiat Dealer and he reckons that they are more for accoustic damping than anything else. John, I was wondering if the compression force of the spring was keeping what is left of the ring in its place - the outer and cup edge has completely deteriored and vanished, yet the remnants seem unmoveable.
As all MOT centres in N.Ireland are government run ( bit tough to fudge the car trough a test) I wanted to replace these not only due to the decay of the outer edges but also to impress the inspectors and hopefully rub a bit of luck into the affair. If they see you have made an effort it may help any 50/50 calls to fall in your favour. You know how it is with these things, you can rarely have too many Brownie points.
I'll now phone thro the part no. for the front suspension "ring" to the dealer and I'm sure they will chase it up for me. I'll let you know how I get on. Later then......
Thanks a lot guys.
 
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