Technical Front coils (OR SHOCKS)

[Peterg]

Front coils

Hi guys
I need some advice on replacing my front coils. I had the struts replace last year however with all the abuse of a fully laden car speed bumps and potholes the coils have given up the ghost and its like driving around in a pram.
I only want to change the front coils so a set of 4 springs is a waste.
Also I do not want to lower it as I need the full ride to take all the weight I carry in my little work horse.
The car is a 1992 Uno 60s 5 door.
I take it the fact the wheels bounce all over the place on undulating road surfaces and the struts bang down on their hankers when I go over even small bumps and hole means the coils are knackered.
Ideally would like a set from a breakers as a new set would probably equal the value of ther car. Or should I go 4 new as second hand ones maybe knackered too??
Any tips advice gratefully received.
Pete
ps I am based in Greenwich SE London

 

[Luke]

Re: Front coils

Hi guys
I need some advice on replacing my front coils. I had the struts replace last year however with all the abuse of a fully laden car speed bumps and potholes the coils have given up the ghost and its like driving around in a pram.
I only want to change the front coils so a set of 4 springs is a waste.
Also I do not want to lower it as I need the full ride to take all the weight I carry in my little work horse.
The car is a 1992 Uno 60s 5 door.
I take it the fact the wheels bounce all over the place on undulating road surfaces and the struts bang down on their hankers when I go over even small bumps and hole means the coils are knackered.
Ideally would like a set from a breakers as a new set would probably equal the value of ther car. Or should I go 4 new as second hand ones maybe knackered too??
Any tips advice gratefully received.
Pete
ps I am based in Greenwich SE London

Good old greenwich - i goto uni there I take it some of those speed bumps you're on about are down maize hill

As for your question, you're better off getting a set of new ones so they will last longer, and know theres nothing wrong or about to go wrong with them. They shouldnt cost an arm and a leg, just possibly and knee and a wrist You can get performance lowering springs for 70, so original ones shouldnt be too bad. Get in touch with your local spares dealer (cant help you with that one) and get them to quote you a price. Failing that save up and get ripped off at halfrauds!!

 

[Peterg]

Re: Front coils

Cheers Luke
Your right about Maze Hill in fact every bloody street in the borough has speed humps.
I hope your not one of those students who does an illegal left turn in to Park walk when there is a queue of traffic tailing back from trafalgar road lol
Regards
Pete

 

[Luke]

Re: Front coils

Cheers Luke
Your right about Maze Hill in fact every bloody street in the borough has speed humps.
I hope your not one of those students who does an illegal left turn in to Park walk when there is a queue of traffic tailing back from trafalgar road lol
Regards
Pete

Nah, i park up the top of maize hill and walk down. No parking fees then! Damned if i'm paying 4.50 a day to park in park row.

edit: And on that note i'm off to go there now!

 

[alexGS]

Re: Front coils

Well I'm sorry to disagree with everyone but I really don't think that the springs are your problem. Springs just don't 'go soft' like you're describing (bottoming-out, wandering). Shock absorbers are the parts that go soft! Springs occasionally break (with obvious result, the car sits lower and there's a metallic knocking) but I've never heard of that on a FIAT either.

If your springs were somehow worn out to the point of being softer, the car would be sitting lower than standard - is it? Perhaps take some measurements and compare with the same model of Uno if you can?

I think you should look for wear in the bottom (control arm) balljoints (or have someone else look for wear, e.g. by using a prybar) since that will make a clonking noise that sounds like bottoming-out and give really bad wandering symptoms. Also, check that your replacement struts are actually working OK (open bonnet and push down on side rail (so as not to dent the top of front wings), get the car bouncing as much as you can, then let go. There should not be more than half a 'bounce' or so. If there's any doubt, PLEASE get a second opinion: it's quite possible for new shocks to be faulty!)

I've noticed that when struts are replaced in Unos, the next thing to give out is usually the control arm balljoint... it seems to come under greater stress with the new shocks.

As for second-hand springs, I see no problem with them being worn-out. I don't think they will make any difference either! If I was you, I would be taking the opportunity to fit some lowering springs

Incidentally, lowering springs are also stiffer, to prevent them bottoming-out with a full load.

Just my ideas, feel free to report differently, I look forward to hearing what sorts it out!

-Alex

 

[Peterg]

Re: Front coils

Thanks Alex
Your technical knowledge is a real bonus for this forum.
I will get a mate to give me a hand to check it out in the w/end.
I have done as you suggested and bounced the car its like a bloody slinky they way it continues to go up and down so I guess its new struts and coils at least.
Pete

 

[Chas Uno]

Re: Front coils

I agree with Alex, it sounds more like another suspension fault than the springs.

If you push down hard on each corner of the car, the car should sink, rise, then settle approxmately half way down the suspension travel. If it continues bouncing then it points more towards the shocks/ dampers being faulty and not doing their job properly.

Do the above check on each corner of the car to isolate the possible faulty shock absorbers.

Hope this helps!

 

[Barney vd Merwe]

Re: Front coils

Springs just don't 'go soft' like you're describing (bottoming-out, wandering). Shock absorbers are the parts that go soft! Springs occasionally break (with obvious result, the car sits lower and there's a metallic knocking) but ...

Ja, so yesterday (Sunday) I spend the whole afternoon trying to replace the "bush" on top of the left front coil spring. Compressed the spring with the "silly" tool, did it the wrong way and - clunk- the worn strut (could not afford new struts/shocks at the local spare shop at the time) pulled the nut right through the center hole on the bush. :bang: I replaced this bush in Jan during a trip up north, hit a pothole and the bush "has been". So the Uno is on jack stands at home waiting for me, and they are delivering the new front shocks as I type.... Wish me luck to get this right - after many attempts. Oh, for the SA folks out there, Midas & AutoZone beat the rest of the bunch in prices - R375 per shock (fronts) and R35.00 per "saddle/bush".....