Front coil snapped

[V705]

Before I ask a local garage or even go back to BMW garage, Im considering repairing the suspension coil and have never done it before but if I do it myself I'll be assured that I've replaced a number of components in the steering assembly and saved a few quid. However, it might be a case of buying kit I'd never use again, though when one coil is changed , the advice is to also do the other side too. Firstly, Im rather glad the coil snapped while the car was stationary at home as the front driver side wheel arch was touching and resting on the r16 tyres, I should have R17 too. If id been driving this would have been a disaster!

Ive put the small spare on, i can drive it around though would look lop sided. Should I trust local garage , or even a mobile mechanic? Or try myself?

 

[t-tony]

Firstly, where are you ? If you are handy with tools you would think need any special tools if you remove the strut and take it to a garage and get them to replace the spring. If you buy 1 or better 2 springs you'll only pay a labour charge to swap the spring(s).

Tony.

ps. Which car is it?

 

[AthensGA]

I replaced my front struts a while back, not a particularly hard job, but I went out and bought an impact wrench which made the whole job a lot easier.

 

[t-tony]

On a Z3, usually the bolts which are most difficult to loosen and remove are the 2 x 18mm bolts which fix the bottom of the strut to the hub.

Tony.

 

[petecossie]

Firstly, where are you ? If you are handy with tools you would think need any special tools if you remove the strut and take it to a garage and get them to replace the spring. If you buy 1 or better 2 springs you'll only pay a labour charge to swap the spring(s).

Tony.

ps. Which car is it?

Agree with what Tony has said above but replace the springs in pairs. I had a a similar broken front spring a few years ago, although I didn't know it was broken until the M Coupe went for it's MOT. I bought the springs myself from dealer and got the garage who does my MOTs to remove and fit new springs. I was needing to get the job done urgently as I was going on a short trip away and I didn't have time to do the job myself. As Tony said if you a bit handy with tools it should be a job you could have a go at yourself. Best of luck.

 

[Dakar Z3]

Great advice from t-tony and petecossie, replace ‘both springs’.

Remove the strut which is a fairly straight forward job and take the struts to a reputable garage who will almost certainly have a spring compressor, they will compress the spring in seconds and have the whole job done in minutes.

I would also change the strut tops as preventative maintenance for what they cost.

**You should always replace springs and shock absorbers in pairs

Good luck

 

[the Nefyn cat]

While you're in there, and if the struts are the originals, it'd be well worth changing them. Along with any other moving parts that haven't already been done. If the suspension bits are all the ones the car came out of the factory with it'll transform the car.

 

[V705]

Thanks for the responses . Ill take the shocks to the garage along with a few OEM replacement parts from the web. car wise , its a z3 2.0 ,6 cylinder and with 235000 miles on the clock ,all mine apart from the first 24k and getting a bit in need of new seals, repairs to window and the exhaust. Then Ill start on the roof .

 

[cdocody]

I replaced my front struts a while back, not a particularly hard job, but I went out and bought an impact wrench which made the whole job a lot easier.

Can I please ask, did you find that you had to compress the spring in order to put the new struts back in the car? I've just taken mine out (plopped out easily) but simply can not get the new ones back in! I'm going to burst a blood vessel soon - any advice very welcome...