SPRING SHOCKER
Discussion
I've recently had a few surprises, of the type I'm not too happy with.
Firstly, my E60 has a broken near side spring, so I toddle off to the local franchised dealer to order a pair of replacements, to be told they need all sorts of details about the spec and end up ordering 2 different parts, one of which has to come from Germany. I've never come across this before and was more than a little surprised to have handed springs.
I seek and get clarification on fitment, one near side and one off side and change them over. Having done a few bits of work on cars and more complicated stuff over the years, I take one off at a time, compare old with new, satisfied no notable differences and fit.
Next surprise is when the car's failed it's MOT, due to the springs sinking/screwing onto the bottom platforms. Call from the MOT station is a real shocker as I've just spent the previous weekend towing a horse box up and down the country!
Called the supplying dealer to find out what the issue may be, checks part numbers sold, rings MOT station and checks part numbers of shockers and checks out ok, so supplying dealer says "must be faulty springs, we'll re-order and get them changed under warranty".
Today, surprise #3, the service department call and say "you're springs are on upside down". Gobsmacked again, I stated that I checked about fitment and was not told of any issues other than them being handed and asked if the replacement springs are any different to those on the car. I was then they didn't do anything other than take the wheels off, so not sure how they can be certain.
They've provided a statement that the springs are correct and within spec, so now I've got to do the job again but turn them the other way up.
Anyone else heard of springs being handed or springs being 'fit this way up/one way fit without some kind of positive ID/locating device etc.'?
It's certainly new to me and I'm more than a little hacked off with the disruption, doing the work twice, not using the car whilst the new bits were on order, then being treated like a knob by the dealer service deparment.
I'm really peeved that if we'd have been told they might be 'upside down', then could have been fixed ages ago when the car was in for the MOT!
I've already admonished myself for entertaining the thought that buying OE kit from a franchised dealer is anything other than frought with potential for disaster!
Firstly, my E60 has a broken near side spring, so I toddle off to the local franchised dealer to order a pair of replacements, to be told they need all sorts of details about the spec and end up ordering 2 different parts, one of which has to come from Germany. I've never come across this before and was more than a little surprised to have handed springs.
I seek and get clarification on fitment, one near side and one off side and change them over. Having done a few bits of work on cars and more complicated stuff over the years, I take one off at a time, compare old with new, satisfied no notable differences and fit.
Next surprise is when the car's failed it's MOT, due to the springs sinking/screwing onto the bottom platforms. Call from the MOT station is a real shocker as I've just spent the previous weekend towing a horse box up and down the country!
Called the supplying dealer to find out what the issue may be, checks part numbers sold, rings MOT station and checks part numbers of shockers and checks out ok, so supplying dealer says "must be faulty springs, we'll re-order and get them changed under warranty".
Today, surprise #3, the service department call and say "you're springs are on upside down". Gobsmacked again, I stated that I checked about fitment and was not told of any issues other than them being handed and asked if the replacement springs are any different to those on the car. I was then they didn't do anything other than take the wheels off, so not sure how they can be certain.
They've provided a statement that the springs are correct and within spec, so now I've got to do the job again but turn them the other way up.
Anyone else heard of springs being handed or springs being 'fit this way up/one way fit without some kind of positive ID/locating device etc.'?
It's certainly new to me and I'm more than a little hacked off with the disruption, doing the work twice, not using the car whilst the new bits were on order, then being treated like a knob by the dealer service deparment.
I'm really peeved that if we'd have been told they might be 'upside down', then could have been fixed ages ago when the car was in for the MOT!
I've already admonished myself for entertaining the thought that buying OE kit from a franchised dealer is anything other than frought with potential for disaster!
I certainly hav'nt heard of coil springs being handed but certainly, there is very often a "right way up". Normally springs will locate in the top and bottom cups, and even if they appear to be the same both ends I would always recommend fitting with any showing part numbers the right way up. Some springs also have a tighter coil one end and this usually is the top of the spring.
I'm afraid your only real gripe with the whole situation, as you fitted the springs yourself, is the fact the spring failed in the first place. If BMW can make headlamps that look round corners and intelligent electronics, maybe they should spend more time on coil springs and suspension bushes, they NEVER used to fail like they do on modern BMW's.
Kerry, xxx
I'm afraid your only real gripe with the whole situation, as you fitted the springs yourself, is the fact the spring failed in the first place. If BMW can make headlamps that look round corners and intelligent electronics, maybe they should spend more time on coil springs and suspension bushes, they NEVER used to fail like they do on modern BMW's.
Kerry, xxx
Well, did the job yesterday and there's a small difference in the radius of the last coils top & bottom, as described, so they sit much more snugly now.
We'll see if it passes the MOT tomorrow now.
BTW, it's a 15 minute job if anyone has do to it, e-mail me and I'll describe the method used.!
We'll see if it passes the MOT tomorrow now.
BTW, it's a 15 minute job if anyone has do to it, e-mail me and I'll describe the method used.!
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff