how may broken springs ? - Page 2

**Mark CSL** · 07-10-2007, 09:38 PM

probably more to do with the hi mileage - it's called wear and tear!

25,000 miles out of a rear spring
My e36 m3s never needed a spring and i had 11 of them

DBT40 · 07-10-2007, 10:22 PM

I had a metalurgy boffin that I work beside look at the fragment from my spring which was recovered from inside my tyre, don't ask! Anyways he knows his stuff and thought it was a "stress fracture leading from corrosion at the surface of the spring" he wasn't impressed with the quality of the metal.
Mercs are just as bad. Just crap springs.
BM seem okay about this though and changed a broken one without the £250 excess payment on my extended warranty.

DBT40 · 20-10-2007, 07:45 PM

okay, I've got a theory so feel free to slag me off or shoot holes in my diagnosis. I had my rear suspension in bits the other day and noticed my relatively new spring rusting at the bottom where they snap. On closer inspection it appears that because the seat spring sits within the upper wishbone this is a great place for collecting gravel. The rubber spring seat is also rather good at catching these rocks and holding them; as the spring pushes them into the rubber. Once stuck in there they quickly grind through the spring paint and the corrosion starts. The largest of the stones that was in mine was stuck in such a way that it was restricting the spring travel and was causing a moment around the point where the spring sat on the stone.
Think of flexing a stick in your hands and trying unsuccessfully to break it until you put it around your knee!...... where does it snap? This also ties in with the stress fracture analysis I got.

Have a look in yours and see if it the same?

**Mark CSL** · 20-10-2007, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBT40

okay, I've got a theory so feel free to slag me off or shoot holes in my diagnosis. I had my rear suspension in bits the other day and noticed my relatively new spring rusting at the bottom where they snap. On closer inspection it appears that because the seat spring sits within the upper wishbone this is a great place for collecting gravel. The rubber spring seat is also rather good at catching these rocks and holding them; as the spring pushes them into the rubber. Once stuck in there they quickly grind through the spring paint and the corrosion starts. The largest of the stones that was in mine was stuck in such a way that it was restricting the spring travel and was causing a moment around the point where the spring sat on the stone.
Think of flexing a stick in your hands and trying unsuccessfully to break it until you put it around your knee!...... where does it snap? This also ties in with the stress fracture analysis I got.

Have a look in yours and see if it the same?

Your have given this too much thought lol
but i shall have a look

DBT40 · 21-10-2007, 09:47 AM

I know I'm a sad bastard, I came to terms with it years ago. This is the kind of thing I do for a living though, so I can't help myself.

**Mark CSL** · 21-10-2007, 10:16 AM

NO m8 dont mind me keep up the good work i will tray anything to stop things breaking

07-10-2007, 09:38 PM	#11
Mark CSL CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Scotland Posts: 8,777 Casino cash: $42229	probably more to do with the hi mileage - it's called wear and tear! 25,000 miles out of a rear spring My e36 m3s never needed a spring and i had 11 of them __________________ www.procarkits.co.uk

21-10-2007, 10:16 AM	#16
Mark CSL CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Scotland Posts: 8,777 Casino cash: $42229	NO m8 dont mind me keep up the good work i will tray anything to stop things breaking __________________ www.procarkits.co.uk

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07-10-2007, 10:22 PM	#12
DBT40 S2 - Picking it up Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Scotland Posts: 56 Casino cash: $418	I had a metalurgy boffin that I work beside look at the fragment from my spring which was recovered from inside my tyre, don't ask! Anyways he knows his stuff and thought it was a "stress fracture leading from corrosion at the surface of the spring" he wasn't impressed with the quality of the metal. Mercs are just as bad. Just crap springs. BM seem okay about this though and changed a broken one without the £250 excess payment on my extended warranty.

20-10-2007, 07:45 PM	#13
DBT40 S2 - Picking it up Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Scotland Posts: 56 Casino cash: $418	okay, I've got a theory so feel free to slag me off or shoot holes in my diagnosis. I had my rear suspension in bits the other day and noticed my relatively new spring rusting at the bottom where they snap. On closer inspection it appears that because the seat spring sits within the upper wishbone this is a great place for collecting gravel. The rubber spring seat is also rather good at catching these rocks and holding them; as the spring pushes them into the rubber. Once stuck in there they quickly grind through the spring paint and the corrosion starts. The largest of the stones that was in mine was stuck in such a way that it was restricting the spring travel and was causing a moment around the point where the spring sat on the stone. Think of flexing a stick in your hands and trying unsuccessfully to break it until you put it around your knee!...... where does it snap? This also ties in with the stress fracture analysis I got. Have a look in yours and see if it the same?

21-10-2007, 09:47 AM	#15
DBT40 S2 - Picking it up Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Scotland Posts: 56 Casino cash: $418	I know I'm a sad bastard, I came to terms with it years ago. This is the kind of thing I do for a living though, so I can't help myself.