Boxing Day - great time for a broken spring

[markchristie]

Looks like my W202 has a broken rear o/s spring. It's 3cm lower on the rear after one of those expensive-sounding metallic 'clangs', post-speed bump.

With unerring timing, it's Boxing Day, I'm in Falmouth for Christmas and home is Oxfordshire. And to top it off, we need to be out of our holiday apartment by 1000 tomorrow.

I'm guessing that hacking up the M5 with a bust rear spring isn't the safest thing to do?

Does anyone know any good independents who are likely to be open on the Saturday after Christmas?!

Truro Mercedes are, but I'm not the biggest fan of main dealers. Would really appreciate any recommendations.

Thanks!

 

[DSM10000]

I certainly would not be driving it in that condition, if you cannot get it repaired do you have breakdown cover so you can get it recovered back to home?

By the way; if your car is a 2003 C class with the 2.7CDi engine then it will be a W203 not a 202.

Good luck

 

[markchristie]

If you cannot get it repaired do you have breakdown cover so you can get it recovered back to home?

By the way; if your car is a 2003 C class with the 2.7CDi engine then it will be a W203 not a 202.

Good luck

Apologies - blame a combination of malt-induced hangover and stupidity. W203 indeed.

I think recovery may be the best bet. Green Flag have always been pretty good in the past, but their contractors can be funny about taking a dog. That's the hound, rather than the car

 

[DSM10000]

I have never had to transport a woofer in a recovered car, not sure why they would have a problem?

Presumably the hound would be in the back of the car (presuming it is an estate?) on the recovery truck? I expect that he / she would enjoy the view from the higher vantage point

At least it is a relatively minor thing although with particularly bad timing!

From the sound of the malt induced hangover it has not made too much of a dent in your celebrations

 

[markjay]

While people have known to be driving for months with broken springs without being aware, I doubt you will find someone here who will advise that you should knowingly drive with a broken spring. Apart from the obviuosly risk to yourself and others, the liability issue is very different once you know your car is defective.

As for MB Dealers... just worth checking first that their service department is actually open, because some dealers open only the Sales department on weekends and bank holidays.

 

[markchristie]

I have never had to transport a woofer in a recovered car, not sure why they would have a problem?

Presumably the hound would be in the back of the car (presuming it is an estate?) on the recovery truck? I expect that he / she would enjoy the view from the higher vantage point

At least it is a relatively minor thing although with particularly bad timing!

From the sound of the malt induced hangover it has not made too much of a dent in your celebrations

Quite - celebrations proceeding very well indeed.

I think she'd probably be quite happy in the back of the car on the truck. She's pretty happy wherever she is, bless her!

 

[markchristie]

Thanks, Markjay. Looks like Truro's service department is open, so it's one option at least. I'll give 'em a call at 0800 and see if they're rammed with other poor souls with problems. If they've got space, parts and can do it, we'll just call in on the way.

 

[DSM10000]

I think I would rule out any local repairs and just organise the recovery truck today for pickup tomorrow, you can then relax knowing it is sorted, enjoy your last day in Cornwall and sample some more malt this evening in the knowledge that someone else will be driving tomorrow!

 

[grober]

Replacing a rear spring is a relatively simple operation if you can get the car up on a ramp. Trick is to lower the suspension arm from its inner mounting bolt and the spring literally drops out. Best to be replaced in pairs so I would buy 2 even if you only replace one at this point in time. This work is well within the scope of any competent small garage if you can find (a) the springs) and (b) someone to do it for you at this time of year.

 

[markchristie]

Replacing a rear spring is a relatively simple operation if you can get the car up on a ramp. Trick is to lower the suspension arm from its inner mounting bolt and the spring literally drops out. Best to be replaced in pairs so I would buy 2 even if you only replace one at this point in time. This work is well within the scope of any competent small garage if you can find (a) the springs) and (b) someone to do it for you at this time of year.

I think that's it - I could do it myself at home, but don't have my tools here. I think, chances are, recovery's the best bet unless there's someone open tomorrow morning down here.

 

[Will]

If you can get the spring, it's an easy job and doesn't need any specialist tools/spring compressor etc.

Even a local tyre garage type place would be able to do it.

Otherwise - have to be honest, it's probably okay to drive anyway. They normally crack at the bottom and drop one coil, 30mm isn't that much. A quick careful inspection should reveal if it's safe to drive or not. I suspect many people have been driving on broken springs like this for months.

 

[markchristie]

If you can get the spring, it's an easy job and doesn't need any specialist tools/spring compressor etc.

Even a local tyre garage type place would be able to do it.

Otherwise - have to be honest, it's probably okay to drive anyway. They normally crack at the bottom and drop one coil, 30mm isn't that much. A quick careful inspection should reveal if it's safe to drive or not. I suspect many people have been driving on broken springs like this for months.

Thanks Will. Decided to give the local dealer a call in the morning and see if they have a slot and parts. If not, I'll give it a go heading home slowly and carefully and get it sorted there.

 

[markchristie]

Absolutely no-one could sort it yesterday morning, so I drove the old girl home. And a fine job she made of it too. Not a problem. Spring broken right at the bottom of the coil, so nothing to jump out and damage a tyre.

Suspect, as Will says, there are hundreds of people driving around with the same problem!