Discussion
I'm sure 1000's of people drive 1000's of miles on broken springs without even realising until their next MOT and I doubt many of them crash in a big ball of fire. I didn't know a spring on mine was broken until it's MOT so have no idea how long it had been like that but long enough to start rusting around the broken part according to the MOT bloke.
Springs usually break near the top or bottom where the real effect is limited though. A break half way down like that would have a much bigger effect on handling and could cause some serious problems when breaking, especially now we have some icy roads to deal with. I'd agree that, while it wont be catastrophic when it breaks you should get it replaced asap and should avoid using it if at all possible. Replacing a single broken spring is a fairly cheap job.
Mellow Matt,
If you're interested, I've got a full set of the standard black springs (which is what I think your car's got) - they were taken off my car when I had the lowering springs fitted. They're in very good condition - car had only done about 8,000 miles when they were removed.
(my car is a Mark 3 - 57 reg i.e. 2007)
If you're interested, I've got a full set of the standard black springs (which is what I think your car's got) - they were taken off my car when I had the lowering springs fitted. They're in very good condition - car had only done about 8,000 miles when they were removed.
(my car is a Mark 3 - 57 reg i.e. 2007)
Salgar said:
Yay, and now to tell you all that he did a carlimits day today on that spring.
You're such a dobber!targa_man said:
Mellow Matt,
If you're interested, I've got a full set of the standard black springs (which is what I think your car's got) - they were taken off my car when I had the lowering springs fitted. They're in very good condition - car had only done about 8,000 miles when they were removed.
(my car is a Mark 3 - 57 reg i.e. 2007)
That's very kind of you, but I don't know if they'd fit? Mine's a mk1 with Bilstein shocks (I don't know if that means the springs are different?).If you're interested, I've got a full set of the standard black springs (which is what I think your car's got) - they were taken off my car when I had the lowering springs fitted. They're in very good condition - car had only done about 8,000 miles when they were removed.
(my car is a Mark 3 - 57 reg i.e. 2007)
I don't think a car is going to end up doing somersaults on a broken spring. If you think about it, unless you've messed about with them, worst case is the car would drop onto the bumpstop , but that just wouldn't happen, and you'd have to be pretty unlucky for it to happen in a way that caused loss of control. It is of course an MOT failure.
I had a broken spring on the back of my '5. I think it's actually not uncommon (sorry, double negative...), but yes, you should arrange replacement sooner rather than later.
I had a broken spring on the back of my '5. I think it's actually not uncommon (sorry, double negative...), but yes, you should arrange replacement sooner rather than later.
As some have already said, its unlikely that you will actually crash in a ball of fire from this. I am almost embarrassed to say that I drove around on a broken rear N/S spring for a couple of months before even noticing it. Strongly reccomend replacing it though- damage to tyres etc is possibly more likely from jagged edge.
If its of any use I have a pair of rear OE Mk1 springs with <>50K on them in decent nick, you're welcome to em if they're any good to you.
If its of any use I have a pair of rear OE Mk1 springs with <>50K on them in decent nick, you're welcome to em if they're any good to you.
I'm trying to find out whether my springs are the standard size, so I just measured from the centre of the wheel to the top of the wheel arch and the two fronts and offside rear (the broken one) are 34cm, nearside is 35 (for some reason?!).
Does this sound like the standard spring size?
Cheers guys.
Does this sound like the standard spring size?
Cheers guys.
Vidal Baboon said:
I've got a set of springs removed from my mk1 if you want the rears.
I'm in Devon if it helps. ETA: Ahh, thought you were in the SW. Could post them up to you if you want to pay the postage.
That's very nice of you - sounds good to me I'm in Devon if it helps. ETA: Ahh, thought you were in the SW. Could post them up to you if you want to pay the postage.
Edited by Vidal Baboon on Friday 3rd December 13:30
I can't email you it seems, but if you give me a message I can shoot some money your way. Are they in OK condition?Sorry it's taken so long to reply- I forgot I wrote this 
I had them in as a temp fix for an MoT- MX5 Heaven sent me 2 second hand springs as one had broke. They were a lot better than the ones I took out, If I had to guess I'd say they were around 2 years old.
They passed the MoT and still have the original paint on them. I just hope I haven't thrown them out now I've opened my trap!
I'll have to PM you tonight, as I can't do it from here. Strange you can't email me, didn't think I'd disabled my email facility.
I had them in as a temp fix for an MoT- MX5 Heaven sent me 2 second hand springs as one had broke. They were a lot better than the ones I took out, If I had to guess I'd say they were around 2 years old.
They passed the MoT and still have the original paint on them. I just hope I haven't thrown them out now I've opened my trap!
I'll have to PM you tonight, as I can't do it from here. Strange you can't email me, didn't think I'd disabled my email facility.
Vidal Baboon said:
Sorry it's taken so long to reply- I forgot I wrote this
I had them in as a temp fix for an MoT- MX5 Heaven sent me 2 second hand springs as one had broke. They were a lot better than the ones I took out, If I had to guess I'd say they were around 2 years old.
They passed the MoT and still have the original paint on them. I just hope I haven't thrown them out now I've opened my trap!
I'll have to PM you tonight, as I can't do it from here. Strange you can't email me, didn't think I'd disabled my email facility.
Ok, thanks for looking for me - much appreciated I had them in as a temp fix for an MoT- MX5 Heaven sent me 2 second hand springs as one had broke. They were a lot better than the ones I took out, If I had to guess I'd say they were around 2 years old.
They passed the MoT and still have the original paint on them. I just hope I haven't thrown them out now I've opened my trap!
I'll have to PM you tonight, as I can't do it from here. Strange you can't email me, didn't think I'd disabled my email facility.
they sound like they're in a lot better nick than mine then!Vidal Baboon said:
Matt, i've been soo busy at work (retail & it's Christmas )
Anyway, I dug the rear springs out & have them sat waiting for posting.
Sorry it's taken so long
Ah no worries, I've since found some almost exact replacements for my current springs at a pretty good price so I've ordered those. I should've updated the thread to stop you needing to rummage around, sorry! )Anyway, I dug the rear springs out & have them sat waiting for posting.
Sorry it's taken so long
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