Broken Springs

S

survivalist

Member
Apologies if this has been done to death, but I've done a search and not managed to find an answer (worryingly all I have found is the massive list of people with broken rear springs).

My question is how to detect a broken spring. The warranty on my Z4MC runs out in April, so ideally I'd like to get the springs replaced if they are broken. The reason I ask is that when parked on a seemingly flat surface, water seems to build up on offside of the rear window and am worried that this points to the offside rear of the car being lower.

My brother has a trolley jack, so will i spot it if I jack up the car and take the wheel off?

Thanks
S
 
Check the gap from the top of the tyre to the wheel arch to see if one side has gone. Just put in two or three fingers one side (whichever works for you), then go to the other side and the same gap should be there. If it's bigger or smaller you have a broke spring.

Normally the lower winds go first, so if you jack it up and take the wheel off you can see the spring mounting cup, and it should be obvious if there is something a miss. If all is good you should be able to see all the coils, and there be no play in the spring.
 
It will crash more over things like speed bumps at low speed, it is noticeable.

Other option is removing the wheel and having a look. In my case both sides had broken and it was difficult to tell a difference in ride height.
 
I fear I may be a victim as I am hearing a metal "ker-ching" type noise over bumps from the rear. I tried to get the wheel off to take a look but bloody bm have overtightened the bolts to the point they won't budge with a wrench, I've got marks on my hands from trying! Ridiculous incompetence on their part, no doubt buggered the bolts but hopefully my csls are ok! Booked in for a check tomorrow.
 
Thanks for all the responses. Looks like I will be taking the wheels off as there doesn't seem to be an (easily) measurable difference between left and right.

tjlazer - might be getting paranoid now, but I have noticed that the offside rear spring makes a bit of a creaking noise when I get in and out of the car. Is that the kind of noise you're hearing? Also, are BMW doing the check for free. If so, did describe any issues to them or just say that you suspect a broken spring?
 
survivalist said:
The warranty on my Z4MC runs out in April, so ideally I'd like to get the springs replaced if they are broken.
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If this is the expiry date for the manufacturer's warranty (as opposed to an extended warranty), it will coincide with the date on which the car will be due its first MOT.

Take the car to your dealer for the test a week or so before the warranty expires. The springs will be checked as part of the MOT and, if broken, you will still be covered so would be able to have them replaced under the warranty.

I've just done this with mine (the springs weren't broken, but I guess it's just a matter of time) and although I had the car tested about two weeks before its third birthday, the dealer dated the MOT certificate from the actual registration date.

If you think there is a more urgent problem, it would be better to check it sooner. But water will always flow unless something is absolutely level. I don't think many cars, and drives that they are parked on, would be level enough for the water not to gather on one side or the other.

Hope the car is ok :)
 
survivalist said:
Thanks for all the responses. Looks like I will be taking the wheels off as there doesn't seem to be an (easily) measurable difference between left and right.

tjlazer - might be getting paranoid now, but I have noticed that the offside rear spring makes a bit of a creaking noise when I get in and out of the car. Is that the kind of noise you're hearing? Also, are BMW doing the check for free. If so, did describe any issues to them or just say that you suspect a broken spring?
Click to expand...

The car is now with BMW. I'm on an extended warranty so this only covers diagnosis where a fault is found but if you're still on an approved used warranty you don't have to worry about that (at least not to my knowledge) I'll update you once they have finished their inspection...
 
Update- it was driver's side spring that had snapped. Both rear springs now replaced and cups too. Warranty does its job...just hit 35k too
 
Eurohooner said:
Is it only rear springs or all 4 that are prone to failure?
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Rear only, due to the coating being damaged on the lower coil when small stones and sand abrade it, allowing the spring to rust, then fail
 
Easy way to diagnose? Stick your fingers in there!!! I did that both times my springs went, and you can EASILY feel the piece of metal that is loose.
 
Mine went day of my inspection 1 heard a crack as i got in the car but thought nothing of it thought it just where car had been standing all week and drove to BMW for inspection which my mate was carrying out and he told me the news that a rear had gone thing is driving home the car felt no different to normal so worth having a good look underneath for anybody worried plus i would try never to drive my Z with a broken spring as my mate said they have had a few come in where the broken part has worked loose and it makes a right mess of the alloy :( OH and its not just Z4s that are effected M3s also suffer this prob
 
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