Technical Springs question

[PLJ]

Having read all the horror stories of springs breaking, and looked at the Vectra C forum where the poll shows 75% failure rate, which is awful, and having suffered several of the standard issue faults with the Croma (tailgate microswitch broke, alternator went on Christmas Day last, air con not working which a regas only fixed for a week), I was wondering whether I should do something about the springs before they break, given that it's potentially dangerous.

Has anyone replaced springs with aftermarket ones? If so, what do you recommend, and do I need to do all 4? How much would it cost (it would be a garage job, as I have no tools/idea)? What effect did the change have on the ride and handling? One reason I like the Croma is the suspension doesn't 'crash', but on the other hand passengers in the back do complain of starting to feel carsick on bumpy backroads, so it would be good to solve this if possible.

Sorry for all the questions, but any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[bobbyblue]

Having read all the horror stories of springs breaking, and looked at the Vectra C forum where the poll shows 75% failure rate, which is awful, and having suffered several of the standard issue faults with the Croma (tailgate microswitch broke, alternator went on Christmas Day last, air con not working which a regas only fixed for a week), I was wondering whether I should do something about the springs before they break, given that it's potentially dangerous.

Has anyone replaced springs with aftermarket ones? If so, what do you recommend, and do I need to do all 4? How much would it cost (it would be a garage job, as I have no tools/idea)? What effect did the change have on the ride and handling? One reason I like the Croma is the suspension doesn't 'crash', but on the other hand passengers in the back do complain of starting to feel carsick on bumpy backroads, so it would be good to solve this if possible.

Sorry for all the questions, but any feedback would be appreciated.

I replaced the front springs on my 06 Croma after one broke, luckily it was right at the bottom so no drama. I could not afford the £163.00 each the Fiat dealer wanted, the ones I got were from a local motor factor and were £42.00 inc VAT, they are still o.k. so far. Incidentally, I have suffered all the faults you have listed with the EGR valve sticking added. If it's any comfort, I know of several BMW owners who have also suffered broken springs so we are in good company.

 

[FAB]

Having read all the horror stories of springs breaking, and looked at the Vectra C forum where the poll shows 75% failure rate, which is awful, and having suffered several of the standard issue faults with the Croma (tailgate microswitch broke, alternator went on Christmas Day last, air con not working which a regas only fixed for a week), I was wondering whether I should do something about the springs before they break, given that it's potentially dangerous.

Has anyone replaced springs with aftermarket ones? If so, what do you recommend, and do I need to do all 4? How much would it cost (it would be a garage job, as I have no tools/idea)? What effect did the change have on the ride and handling? One reason I like the Croma is the suspension doesn't 'crash', but on the other hand passengers in the back do complain of starting to feel carsick on bumpy backroads, so it would be good to solve this if possible.

Sorry for all the questions, but any feedback would be appreciated.

See:

https://www.fiatforum.com/croma/226622-croma-suspension-failure-please-help.html


This spring broke right at the bottom too, as per blues comment.

I had considered many an option for the pa's croma when this happened but, ultimately helped out by FIAT who were really good there was only one option but to go the standard route.

I had looked at a variety of aftermarket springs, although there aren't that many..

My dilemma esp since it is my fathers car, is as follows.

The Croma has not got a terrific ride/handling compromise. It rides ok and handles ok, grips well but to effect one for the sake of the other, i think would make the car unbearable on a lot of UK roads.

The weight of the car on standard shocks with lowered springs on 18's in our case i think would have absolutely ruined the ride.

I have driven/been in many a car with lowered suspension and for the most part they have crashed banged and walloped.

The ones i have been in that impressed are ones with adjustable suspension. The most impressive was a corrado with expensive coilovers and it rode beautifully. i had a Fiat coupe at the time which looked to be on stilts in comparision, and after a Mk2 punto hgt both on standard suspension and both rode a lot worse than the corrado on roughly a 50mm drop.


Sorry for babbling on, but essentially what i am trying to say is that unless you go the whole hog (ie suspension and shocks) i fear you will ruin the car altogether...