Technical Front spring snapped!

[mjb]

For the second time in under 12 months, the front coil spring has snapped on the 02 JTD. Annoyingly the warranty on the replacement spring states "12 months or 12000 miles", and the car has covered almost 30000! Fortunately it went whilst sat on the driveway warming up, 10 minutes later and it'd have been on the M5.

Anyone else had this problem?

 

[Peter Pick-Up]

Common problem on lots of Fiat models these days.
Replace them with aftermarket springs, and you'll be fine for a long(er) time.

 

[Ffoxy]

Common problem on lots of Fiat models these days.
Replace them with aftermarket springs, and you'll be fine for a long(er) time.

Common problem on a LOT of cars not just Fiats lets keep it right now....

Sure I saw another Thread same as by the OP earlier though...

 

[Peter Pick-Up]

Right, but only Fiat did several recalls regarding the (front) springs.

I have good experiences with German H+R springs, good quality, lowering only about 1 inch, absolutely no harsh ride,(my wife and son don't like that!!) and reasonable priced, but don't know if they made springs for the Multipla, though, just have a look.
www.h-r.com

 

[Ffoxy]

Right, but only Fiat did several recalls regarding the (front) springs.
I have good experiences with German H+R springs, good quality, lowering only about 1 inch, absolutely no harsh ride,(my wife and son don't like that!!) and reasonable priced, but don't know if they made springs for the Multipla, though, just have a look.
www.h-r.com

Fiats spring recall was only to fit a catcher that stopped the spring piercing the tyre. I have seen Vauxhalls, Fords even Toyota Avensis' having broken springs replaced just this last year and some of those were 53 54 plate. Not sure whats going on there really, old cars I had years back lived for ever on original springs. Car Mechanics mag has a Merc with a broken spring in a feature, trouble is its a coilover and the springs dont come separately.
£300 a side just for the parts.

Wifeys Stilo had a pair fitted for £145!

 

[Zundapp]

Right, but only Fiat did several recalls regarding the (front) springs.

I have good experiences with German H+R springs, good quality, lowering only about 1 inch, absolutely no harsh ride,(my wife and son don't like that!!) and reasonable priced, but don't know if they made springs for the Multipla, though, just have a look.
www.h-r.com

A number of manufacturers have had to do recalls to replace potentially lethal front springs. If you're lucky, the recall notice comes before the springs break! Mine didn't.

As far as I'm aware, FIAT simply replaced the springs - allegedly now with a better coating to prevent corrosion. However, better coating or not, as has been found, the replacements still break...

Citroen, in addition to replacing the springs, fit a cup to contain the spring if it subsequently breaks. This is to prevent the broken spring from moving out of place and piercing the tyre. Horrifying thought at speed.

How well our car manufacturers look after us.

 

[mjb]

Just heard from the garage, they're going to replace the spring FOC as a "good will gesture"! I wasn't expecting that!

 

[Peter Pick-Up]

Citroen, in addition to replacing the springs, fit a cup to contain the spring if it subsequently breaks. This is to prevent the broken spring from moving out of place and piercing the tyre. Horrifying thought at speed.

Fiat does the same with the Stilo, no new springs, just cups...!!

 

[Peter Pick-Up]

Just heard from the garage, they're going to replace the spring FOC as a "good will gesture"! I wasn't expecting that!

NEVER change just one spring!!!!!!
The garage should know....!!
On the other hand, do you trust the new Fiat springs, after all two broke on your car before....

 

[TinyUK]

Came out of the house this morning and found 1/2 a coil of my o/s spring lying on the road.

Recall was done on the 12 May 2006, guess i'll be paying for these ones myself....Bugger!

edit...Just phoned a factors and was quoted £49 inc vat, Fiat quoted £30.50 + vat, guess I'll be going to the dealers.

 

[spudyclur]

I think speed bumps have a lot to answer for!! I'm convinced they contribute towards these springs breaking.

 

[Peter Pick-Up]

No, it's just poor quality of the factory springs.
Did you ever drive in Italy....?
The roads over there are one massive speedbump....!

 

[umberto]

I don't think there's any doubt about that, since the advent of speed bumps more & more cars especially older ones seem to req either spring replacement or shock absorbers.
The manufactures of such items have been laughing ever since.

 

[Peter Pick-Up]

It's not the older ones, but rather the newer cars that suffer from broken springs, unfortunately.