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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: THE_Liam on 22 July 2011, 16:26

Title: Snapped Spring
Post by: THE_Liam on 22 July 2011, 16:26
Just took my new mk3 GTI for the tracking doing, the lad shouted me over while he was getting it ready and showed me the OSF coil had snapped about 3 inches from the bottom  :cry:

Now first of all, he said that it was in the spring seat and looked to have been that way for ages, and he wasn't surprised that I hadn't noticed, and that it would be fine to drive. Now I had a look at it and it sits fine in the seat so I reckon it's OK short term until I can sort it in a couple of weeks, but the guy reckoned it would be fine permanently  :huh:

I'm not being overly picky am I? I mean it sits fine in it's seat but I wouldn't leave it like that permanently, I'll be taking it damn easy until I can fix it....

The thing I'm shocked about is it passed it's MOT last month and didn't even get an advisory on a broken spring. You have to look very close to see it but isn't that the testers job?!?! I'm thinking I might ring the test station and have a word because that's a pretty big thing to overlook  :shocked:

Anyway, probably a good excuse to lower it, if I'm swapping one spring I might as well do 'em all. Is lowering a tough job on these?
Title: Re: Snapped Spring
Post by: apie2004 on 22 July 2011, 16:32
I know on the mk2 its dead easy and that mk2 and mk3 suspension is very similar. Take from that what you will.

That does sound pretty appalling on your MoT'ers part!
Title: Re: Snapped Spring
Post by: THE_Liam on 22 July 2011, 16:34
I know on the mk2 its dead easy and that mk2 and mk3 suspension is very similar. Take from that what you will.

That does sound pretty appalling on your MoT'ers part!

I have a feeling he may have been a mate of the last owner if you know what I mean....

The ARB bushes are shot to f**k as well and again, not even an advisory  :huh:
Title: Re: Snapped Spring
Post by: Len on 22 July 2011, 16:38
I wouldnt go upsetting an MOT tester if I were you! You may need them in future!
As its there and there is enough meat of the spring left in the cup then not a problem and would probably be difficult to see.

But if you are thinking of changing for lowered springs then do that.
Title: Re: Snapped Spring
Post by: THE_Liam on 22 July 2011, 16:49
I wouldnt go upsetting an MOT tester if I were you! You may need them in future!
As its there and there is enough meat of the spring left in the cup then not a problem and would probably be difficult to see.

But if you are thinking of changing for lowered springs then do that.

It just left me a bit concerned, I mean I had a look at the spring and I'm sure it won't pop out or anything, it's not like it snapped halfway up the spring, but surely he should have at least given an advisory? I mean it looks safe enough but now I know it's there I won't feel right until it's replaced, even though it's probably done 30k like that...


I'm very picky with stuff like that  :smiley:
Title: Re: Snapped Spring
Post by: Ant1981 on 22 July 2011, 19:26
and looked to have been that way for ages, and he wasn't surprised that I hadn't noticed,

Because Mk3's handle like boats anyway? :grin:
Title: Re: Snapped Spring
Post by: Wayne on 22 July 2011, 20:18
Why is he being picky, a broken spring is a safety related item.
Title: Re: Snapped Spring
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 22 July 2011, 21:50
Why is he being picky, a broken spring is a safety related item.

+1 Getting it changed straight away, and always change them in axle pairs.
Title: Re: Snapped Spring
Post by: THE_Liam on 22 July 2011, 22:53
Why is he being picky, a broken spring is a safety related item.

+1 Getting it changed straight away, and always change them in axle pairs.

I'm changing it as soon as I get paid, JOM coilies FTW  :smiley:

I'd do it straight away but having had a good look at it, it's only lost about 2" out of the flat coil in the spring seat, so there's loads left to locate the spring, 99.9% sure it would be fine. I'll change it on payday because of the 0.01% chance that it won't be OK, I don't feel comfortable just leaving something like that...
Title: Re: Snapped Spring
Post by: thai-wronghorse on 23 July 2011, 01:22
A full suspension kit and anti roll bar bushes is going to transform the way it drives, it bet it wallows like a pig in sh!t at the moment.
Title: Re: Snapped Spring
Post by: THE_Liam on 23 July 2011, 07:39
A full suspension kit and anti roll bar bushes is going to transform the way it drives, it bet it wallows like a pig in sh!t at the moment.

It does yeah, especially seeing as the car I took this in part ex on was a 106 GTI  :smiley: