Going on the paint on that spring, it doesn't look too old to me? Unusual for a Z3 spring to unwind down the leg though, first one I've seen.
Tony.
Tony.
2 hour wait for AA
- Thread starter Dalek
- Start date
It is weird isn't it. It's normally just an end where it's been submerged in silt. And you might not even notice it's bust. But perhaps that's the clue. Bust once a while back, compromised and then gave way spectacularly next time it was pushed.
Can't quite stack up how it happened to occur in the same time frame as the water pump. I can't imagine you'd get too far not noticing that. Did you notice anything strange @Dalek ?
I was driving to work as usual and about 200 yards from my workplace I felt a slight judder through the steering wheel which went away almost immediately. When the time came to try and get it home it drove normally for about a mile when a strong burning rubber smell appeared followed by a lot of smoke, which I guess was the rubbing on the tyre. Luckily I was by a lay-by so was able to stop immediately. When the AA low loader arrived the mechanic drove it onto his truck with no problem at all. When we got it to the garage the AA man drive it off the truck and all seemed fine. My mechanic then drove it into his workshop and onto his ramp. Again, no strange noises or vibrations. It was not until we got it into the air that we saw the issue with the spring. The mechanic was quite shocked and could not believe that I had been so lucky not to have had an accident or at least a major blowout. He was also dumbfounded as to how she drove so well with such a major spring failure. While we were checking for other damage we noticed the problem with the water pump, but I cannot see how the two issues are related. Just glad it gave out now and not just after getting the car back. So now I am planning on replacing all the suspension parts, front and rear ... better safe than sorry!
Tony, to answer your question, I have had a look at the cars history and as far as I can tell the springs are all original. (101,000 miles). Is nothing built to last these days?
Well you win the prize for most bizarre breakdown with simultaneously occurring but mutually exclusive major failures.
Happy it turned out as well as it did Paul.I was driving to work as usual and about 200 yards from my workplace I felt a slight judder through the steering wheel which went away almost immediately. When the time came to try and get it home it drove normally for about a mile when a strong burning rubber smell appeared followed by a lot of smoke, which I guess was the rubbing on the tyre. Luckily I was by a lay-by so was able to stop immediately. When the AA low loader arrived the mechanic drove it onto his truck with no problem at all. When we got it to the garage the AA man drive it off the truck and all seemed fine. My mechanic then drove it into his workshop and onto his ramp. Again, no strange noises or vibrations. It was not until we got it into the air that we saw the issue with the spring. The mechanic was quite shocked and could not believe that I had been so lucky not to have had an accident or at least a major blowout. He was also dumbfounded as to how she drove so well with such a major spring failure. While we were checking for other damage we noticed the problem with the water pump, but I cannot see how the two issues are related. Just glad it gave out now and not just after getting the car back. So now I am planning on replacing all the suspension parts, front and rear ... better safe than sorry!
Tony, to answer your question, I have had a look at the cars history and as far as I can tell the springs are all original. (101,000 miles). Is nothing built to last these days?
Seen many tyres scuffed like that by a front spring being dislodged, Ford's very prone to it happening, mainly down to the "pig tails" having such small diameters.
Tony.
Just had a message from the garage.. The man is a star!
He knows Pistachio is my only vehicle and that my health could be a bit better, so to save me messing about with public transport he has worked extra hours at no extra cost so I can pick her up tomorrow lunchtime.
There really are some great people out there
He knows Pistachio is my only vehicle and that my health could be a bit better, so to save me messing about with public transport he has worked extra hours at no extra cost so I can pick her up tomorrow lunchtime.
There really are some great people out there
That’s great news! Enjoy your every moment of being reacquainted with your car.Just had a message from the garage.. The man is a star!
He knows Pistachio is my only vehicle and that my health could be a bit better, so to save me messing about with public transport he has worked extra hours at no extra cost so I can pick her up tomorrow lunchtime.
There really are some great people out there
Looks like you have a "keeper" there Paul. Give him shout out on here.Just had a message from the garage.. The man is a star!
He knows Pistachio is my only vehicle and that my health could be a bit better, so to save me messing about with public transport he has worked extra hours at no extra cost so I can pick her up tomorrow lunchtime.
There really are some great people out there
Tony.
The star mechanic is Andy Altoft, owner of Autodocs in Highworth, near Swindon.
As I said before, brilliant service when I really needed it.
As I said before, brilliant service when I really needed it.
“Two years ago, husband and wife team, Andy and Karen Altoft, opened their own garage with a small loan from some friends and a couple of tools”.
Blimey if someone had leant me money, even if I they weren’t a friend, I wouldn’t call them a tool
I will show him that...View attachment 120231
“Two years ago, husband and wife team, Andy and Karen Altoft, opened their own garage with a small loan from some friends and a couple of tools”.
Blimey if someone had leant me money, even if I they weren’t a friend, I wouldn’t call them a tool
Very true... had not spotted that!
But to be fair to the the first AA I was not in a dangerous location, was not vulnerable in any way and did tell them that a two hour wait was not a problem for me as I was quite happy to put the roof down, put my music playlist on my phone and just enjoy the Autumn sunshine.
People passing had no idea my car was broken so still got envious looks!
But to be fair to the the first AA I was not in a dangerous location, was not vulnerable in any way and did tell them that a two hour wait was not a problem for me as I was quite happy to put the roof down, put my music playlist on my phone and just enjoy the Autumn sunshine.
People passing had no idea my car was broken so still got envious looks!