snapped rear spring

rs32 · 17-03-2009, 12:34 PM

driving down from Scotland yesterday - had a massive CLANG at 80mph on the motorway. Sounded horrendous.

pulled in at services immediately, checked the car, nothing obvious. So drove off and immediately hit a bump that caused a loud rattle from the rear right.

pulled in before I got to the motorway again and checked the car, it seemed to be leaning to the right on a camber that went left and I couldn't get my hand between the tyre and wheel arch on the rear right.

car now being trailered to local dealer, Mondial Assistance were a bag of shite and it fell to me to get everything organised properly.

is there anything else in particular that I need to get the dealer to check ? Am concerned maybe that there is another problem e.g. top mount, RTAB etc ?

Any pointers would be appreciated.

bryce · 17-03-2009, 04:26 PM

E46s seem to chew these rear springs!

Get them to check everything surrounding it but as far as Im aware its just the spring that goes and all else is fine

**Mark CSL** · 17-03-2009, 08:29 PM

I have just had 2 new rear springs fitted as well thats my second set

They are crap but warranty changes them for free

J.D. · 17-03-2009, 10:42 PM

Have done two sets on my E46 325M Touring. Nice to see they upgraded the part for the beast of the range

. Had no idea both had gone on mine, even with new ones the ride height is the same and leans slightly to the right?? BMW told me was the right hand drive cars have fuel tank and driver on the same side whilst the left hookers have a large german in the left seat to balance it out

Easy and not too expensive to do yourself though.

rs32 · 17-03-2009, 11:48 PM

this is how mine looked on a pretty severe left-hand camber yesterday.

I tried to keep the camera straight to avoid the optical illusion. There was a gap between the left tyre and wheel arch and I couldn't even get my hand in the right side.

will find out tomorrow if it's just the spring. hopefully it didn't cause anyone else an issue as it bounced down the M6 behind me !

Bealo · 18-03-2009, 07:16 AM

Hope everything works out ok for you and it is just the spring..

rs32 · 18-03-2009, 10:56 AM

just spoke with dealer.

they've confirmed it's definitely the spring and are now doing a full check on the suspension, brakes, mounting points etc all round.

the spring has apparently snapped near the top and a piece completely lost (makes sense), will post a pic when I get it.

**glendog74** · 18-03-2009, 11:06 AM

Hopefully they will pull their finger out and get you sorted quickly! It doesn't fill me with confidence to hear that your impression of Mondial Assistance is less than good either! Makes you question how they can charge so much...

Bealo · 19-03-2009, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rs32

just spoke with dealer.

they've confirmed it's definitely the spring and are now doing a full check on the suspension, brakes, mounting points etc all round.

the spring has apparently snapped near the top and a piece completely lost (makes sense), will post a pic when I get it.

Fingers crossed it was just the spring and your on the road again soon.

rs32 · 19-03-2009, 07:46 PM

this could be a blessing in disguise.

my car was due to have the power steering pipes replaced as a warranty claim.

I asked them to consider doing this under warranty with the spring replacement job, and they agreed.

so good result, 2 new springs, a hire car and complete new power steering pipes/fluid + all labour for the £250 excess.

and only one trip to the dealer !

17-03-2009, 12:34 PM	#1
rs32 S3 - On the open road Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 87 Casino cash: $250	snapped rear spring driving down from Scotland yesterday - had a massive CLANG at 80mph on the motorway. Sounded horrendous. pulled in at services immediately, checked the car, nothing obvious. So drove off and immediately hit a bump that caused a loud rattle from the rear right. pulled in before I got to the motorway again and checked the car, it seemed to be leaning to the right on a camber that went left and I couldn't get my hand between the tyre and wheel arch on the rear right. car now being trailered to local dealer, Mondial Assistance were a bag of shite and it fell to me to get everything organised properly. is there anything else in particular that I need to get the dealer to check ? Am concerned maybe that there is another problem e.g. top mount, RTAB etc ? Any pointers would be appreciated.

17-03-2009, 08:29 PM	#3
Mark CSL CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Scotland Posts: 8,777 Casino cash: $42229	I have just had 2 new rear springs fitted as well thats my second set They are crap but warranty changes them for free __________________ www.procarkits.co.uk

17-03-2009, 10:42 PM	#4
J.D. S2 - Picking it up Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: South Posts: 74 Casino cash: $4981	Have done two sets on my E46 325M Touring. Nice to see they upgraded the part for the beast of the range. Had no idea both had gone on mine, even with new ones the ride height is the same and leans slightly to the right?? BMW told me was the right hand drive cars have fuel tank and driver on the same side whilst the left hookers have a large german in the left seat to balance it out Easy and not too expensive to do yourself though.

18-03-2009, 11:06 AM	#8
glendog74 CSL Register Uber-poster! Tetris Champion! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cornwall Posts: 8,861 Casino cash: $32299	Hopefully they will pull their finger out and get you sorted quickly! It doesn't fill me with confidence to hear that your impression of Mondial Assistance is less than good either! Makes you question how they can charge so much... __________________ Cha'mone Mother F**ker!

17-03-2009, 04:26 PM	#2
bryce S5, Sport On, DSC M-track Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scotland (sw) Posts: 1,369 Casino cash: $2512	E46s seem to chew these rear springs! Get them to check everything surrounding it but as far as Im aware its just the spring that goes and all else is fine

17-03-2009, 11:48 PM	#5
rs32 S3 - On the open road Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 87 Casino cash: $250	this is how mine looked on a pretty severe left-hand camber yesterday. I tried to keep the camera straight to avoid the optical illusion. There was a gap between the left tyre and wheel arch and I couldn't even get my hand in the right side. will find out tomorrow if it's just the spring. hopefully it didn't cause anyone else an issue as it bounced down the M6 behind me !

18-03-2009, 07:16 AM	#6
Bealo Driving it like I nicked it Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Everywhere. Posts: 2,540 Casino cash: $12738	Hope everything works out ok for you and it is just the spring..

18-03-2009, 10:56 AM	#7
rs32 S3 - On the open road Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 87 Casino cash: $250	just spoke with dealer. they've confirmed it's definitely the spring and are now doing a full check on the suspension, brakes, mounting points etc all round. the spring has apparently snapped near the top and a piece completely lost (makes sense), will post a pic when I get it.

19-03-2009, 07:46 PM	#10
rs32 S3 - On the open road Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 87 Casino cash: $250	this could be a blessing in disguise. my car was due to have the power steering pipes replaced as a warranty claim. I asked them to consider doing this under warranty with the spring replacement job, and they agreed. so good result, 2 new springs, a hire car and complete new power steering pipes/fluid + all labour for the £250 excess. and only one trip to the dealer !