Technical Croma Suspension failure please help!

[FAB]

Hi all,

Just had call from my dad and as the title suggests there has been a bit of a problem with the offside front suspension.

I have been to have a look at it and it bizzarely seems to have been a spring problem. The spring seems to have slipped over the bottom part of the shock absorber and its not clear (cos its so difficult to get a good look under it) whether the spring has broken or not, it did seem to be in one piece still.

Ok the spec and details: 55 plate Eleganza 150 JTD on 18's and 34k miles.

The car was serviced and mot'd last week and the garage fitted new tyres all round. This happened today and it has nuked the inside wall of the tyre...

Any opinions has done about 100 miles since being serviced.. think we have any come back against the garage?

 

[keithglos]

There is a history of spring breakages on Vectra C/ Croma. I think there are suggestions on here for better replacements, obviously thousands on the Vectra forum. Nothing for a service garage to see until it breaks. Usually blamed on bumpy roads, although I don't remember ever having a coil spring break in the last 60 years.
Hope the tyre was not too dear.

 

[DoIDon'tI]

No comeback whatsoever, this (as Keith says) is an endemic problem on cars using Vectra C suspension - there is even a running thread on the Vectra C site on this subject; they've been trying to get Vauxhall to sort it out but to no avail. Eibach springs are commonly recommended as they don't break but they also lower the car.

My condolences, I personally feel that it is unacceptable for springs to break at this kind of age and mileage. The most common mileage for this seems to be around 60K which still seems far too low for a component which always used to last the life of the car.

I can't see how any connection can be made between the garage work and the spring breaking, sorry. One last thought - if one's broken, the other side is often not far behind it, and springs are cheaper than tyres

 

[FAB]

Thanks for the feedback guys, i have been having a scout about online and unfortunately it seems you are right. Looks like another expense not long after spent best part of £600... Oh well, suppose it comes with persisting with the Fabriche Italiane products... Just joking we've had more Fiat/Alfa/Lancia products over the years and for the most part they have been as reliable as you could ask for. Just feel a little disappointed with this as it is a consumable that really shouldnt have perished at this point of a vehicles life cycle.

I have been gettting some various prices and pretty spectacular, i suspect i will be replacing them for him. Anyone have any experience of Apex Springs?
Seems they are reasonably priced? Am hoping the shocker hasn't been damaged..

 

[bobbyblue]

Hi Fab,
Sorry to hear about this, it looks like the spring has broken, I had the same thing happen two months ago, I believe Cromas are prone to it. I was horrified when the local Fiat dealer quoted me £165 just to supply the spring so I bought a pattern one from a local motor factor (Car Spares in Hall green, Birmingham) for £42, bit of a difference! I changed it myself with a borrowed spring compressor, but I would suggest a garage if you are not familiar with this process. Best of luck.

 

[Chris@souls]

The Fiat one is more expensive beacuse they come with new shock absorbers too.

 

[FAB]

Just an update on this for you guys.

Well a very satisfactory deal with FIAT head office was sorted.

The car was recovered to a dealer after we considered our options and thought we would allow them to assess and refer to FIAT.

To cut a medium story short, we had to pay for the tyre and the labour, fiat paid for new front suspension on both sides.(shock and spring)! Whilst it still cost us i think that the fact they even considered paying for one side, let alone both gven the car was out of warranty by just over a year is testament to how far FIAT customer service has come over the years.

I was really expecting them to say we will give you £25 as a good will gesture or something equally inadequate.

Whilst it is a ridculous thing that the suspension faliled after only 4 years and an average of 8k miles a year, the overall satisfaction is good.

Shame the tyre that it destroyed was only 100 miles old otherwise would have been even happier.

Well done FIAT

 

[The Beach]

I dont think my front suspension has failed, but when i go over sleeping policemen or when there is a sharp hump in the road it creaks like a barn door (sort of errrrh errrrh)

took it to local fiat dealer who said they couldnt find anything as there was no speed enforcement bumps in the area!! There are actually 3 very tall ones no more than 100 yards away.

Basically thet wanted thier loan car back.

Not impressed. Also the remote tailgate still only opens if it fancies but the clock doesnt seem to lose time anymore.

Will see if i get any joy next week when it goes back in again

 

[DoIDon'tI]

I dont think my front suspension has failed, but when i go over sleeping policemen or when there is a sharp hump in the road it creaks like a barn door (sort of errrrh errrrh)

Will see if i get any joy next week when it goes back in again

Dry front anti-roll bar bushes. You might get away with taking them out, lightly greasing and refitting, but for about £5 each you can get new ones.

Boot might be solved by a software update, it's a known issue.

HTH.