Spring seems to have moved out of seating.

[Oscar011]

Vw polo mk4
Last week I had a slight knocking noise when driving but not when going over speed bumps. So today I put the car on jacks and checked all suspension Points thinking it would be a ARB droplink with play or loose. But instead I have found that my front drivers side spring is not sat properly. The notch In the base of the shock absorber where the spring should be bunched up to there is a gap on at least 15 to 20mm. Above where the top mount is the spring looks like it’s expanded out and isn’t tight around the the collar (just about get my little finger in the gap).
I can’t see the spring too well above but it doesn’t look broken and feels quite flat and smooth. I did take it for a second opinion at my local garage and he was quite confused as he also thinks that the spring doesn’t look like it’s broken but isn’t totally sure.
It’s almost as if the spring has taken a shunt and expanded. Just wondering if anybody has had an experience of this / seen something similar? Thanks.

[Gary C]

Sure it's not broken the last bit of the coil ?

My 2002 polo has done this twice so far.

[Oscar011]

[Oscar011]

[Oscar011]

[cuprabob]

It's common for the pigtail at the end of the spring to break off. Not immediately obvious unless you look carefully. If the spring is 100% then it could be the strut top bearing that's failed.

Edited by cuprabob on Sunday 15th July 19:33

[Oscar011]

[Oscar011]

cuprabob said:

It's common for the pigtail at the end of the spring to break off. Not immediately obvious unless you look carefully.

Hi Cuprabob,

Thanks for that, the only spring snaps I’ve had is usually longer like halve a coil, when looking at the drivers and passenger side springs they look literally the same in coils just the drivers more expanded. Is it usual for the spring to open up like that even with a couple of mm clean snap? Thanks

[E-bmw]

Definitely looks broken in your first & third pic, can't make out the second one.

Lift the car up & compare side to side to be certain.

[Oscar011]

Thanks for the reply Ebmw,

I have checked both sides but they both seem pretty much identical in the length of the coils going round but with drivers side more open at the top mount. Also a slight gap where it should rest on the bottom of the lip on the strut. When touching the tip of the coil it seems so smooth like the anti rust paint. I've never seen one break off at a couple of mm off the pig tail and open the coil up so much around the top mount. Maybe it has just cleanly broken a couple of mm. Annoying how the coils are only 18months old but the roads around here are getting worse.
Thanks

[E-bmw]

Your first pic quite clearly shows what looks like a ragged broken end at 1 o-clock in the pic where it meets the spring seat.

Your third pic shows what looks like the same from a different angle.

[Oscar011]

E-bmw said:

Your first pic quite clearly shows what looks like a ragged broken end at 1 o-clock in the pic where it meets the spring seat.

Your third pic shows what looks like the same from a different angle.

Thanks for the help E-BMW much appreciated

[Gary C]

The 'more open' is a give away.

Try turning on full lock both ways, mine made a noticeable 'twang' noise with a broken Spring on both occasions

The next thing it might do is spit out all the ball bearings from the rotator at the top of the strut (though mine snapped at the top of the spring, making it not sit right at the top). If it does, don't buy a new one. Go to you local bearing factors with one ball bearing and they will sell you a new set for pennies compared to the price of a new unit from VW.