'05 Vectra C Estate Suspension Failure

[MadTogger]

Hi all,

well yesterday after leaving work I noticed a click coming from the front nearside seemingly only happening when turning right.

Having had various French cars in the past that regularly suffer from worn bearings in the top shock mount, this struck me as the same sound and feeling that I had had before.

I was on the case trying to find a top mount with bearing as soon as I got home.

This morning my wife took the Vectra to work and about 5 minutes after she left my mobile rang and I answered to her hysterical voice.

Apparentely, while driving along there was a clunk after going over a dip, not pothole, in the road.
As there was nowhere safe to stop she went on a bit and started noticing some smoke coming from the nearside front along with a rancid burning rubber smell.
A few other drivers were flashing at her and not far along she found a safe place to pull over.

I had to rescue her and had a good look at the car.

The front nearside wheel is quite a way up in the arch but the tyre is not flat.
I checked under the car and the sump tray has no signs of damage, so that didn't scrape along the road.
I would say that there is about 2 inches of clearance between the road surface and the underside of the track control arm.

There is no damage to the strut turret looking at it from under the bonnet.

I have read various reports that the coil springs fail on these Vectras, coud what I have explained be this happening to mine?

Am currently waiting for a garage to tow and fix the car now.

Nice, loads of £'s just before crimbo.

[ronnie63]

Happened to me, the spring pinged out and was digging into the tyre wall! could need a new tyre too

Ronnie

[MadTogger]

Happened to me, the spring pinged out and was digging into the tyre wall! could need a new tyre too

Ronnie

Cheers Ronnie.

when you say the spring pinged out, do you mean that it wasn't actually broken but just needed re-seating?

How can the spring just pop out of it's seat, does this mean there is damage to the seatings on the strut itself?

Regards..,

[ronnie63]

Cheers Ronnie.

when you say the spring pinged out, do you mean that it wasn't actually broken but just needed re-seating?

How can the spring just pop out of it's seat, does this mean there is damage to the seatings on the strut itself?

Regards..,

Yes it had broke near the bottom so car was still sitting at ride height but using the steering just screwed the spring out of it's seat and then it dug into tyre, mine being the estate also.

Ronnie

[MadTogger]

OK, so a new spring and tyre was all that was needed then?

[ronnie63]

OK, so a new spring and tyre was all that was needed then?

Yes I would say so, fairly common for the springs to break, sometimes you don't find out until mot time! so fingers crossed it wont cost a fortune!

[MadTogger]

I think the most expensive part is probably going to be the recovery.

My 1st choice local garage were unable to do anything for at least 2 days, 2nd choice were too busy also but they put me on to another garage that can tow the car today and do the work tomorrow.

I'll post back the outcome.

Regards..,

[06sri]

could look in local paper and find a mobile mechanic, if you want it done sooner then no messing about having to recover car to a garage if its at your home, you should really replace both sides.

[MadTogger]

could look in local paper and find a mobile mechanic, if you want it done sooner then no messing about having to recover car to a garage if its at your home, you should really replace both sides.

Unfortunately the car is about 2 miles from my home, stuck in a tiny layby, otherwise, yes, good idea thanks.

[mally]

Worth checking the back end for broken springs too.