Front Spring

**cooky516** · 11th January 2010, 21:36

Hi all,
I've just finished recovering my car tonight, the front passenger spring has snapped. Can't seem to find one anywhere on the net, any idea's where to get from or how much the stealers want?

Many thanks Cooky

**GARY3306** · 11th January 2010, 21:39

for a start, you need a pair mate. Don't renew just one. If you go to the dealer for standards, they'll only sell you a pair. As you're now in a position of having to do them, you're far better off going with aftermarket upgrades such as Eibach. Far superior to standard stock and you are unlikely to suffer the same fate X number of miles down the road

**Chocki** · 11th January 2010, 22:41

You can get a pair from eurocarparts, or as a lot of forum members have done, get a set of eibachs from LMF, while your at it replace the shocks with Bilstein B4's then get your car 4 wheel aligned.

It all depends on how much money you want to spend, Eurocarparts is from about £30 per spring (Out of stock though) £40 per spring are in stock though.

To do the lot Bilstein B4 shocks and Eibach springs and EzCamber adjuster bolts will set you back about £270 inc. plus about £45 for wheel alignment. Thats fronts and rears.

**Ste** · 12th January 2010, 10:07

You don't need to replace a pair. Springs are just a bit of coiled up metal. There is NO technical reason to replace a pair together, if the non failed one isn't damaged and has not been over compressed or stretched.

The one I bought to replace a broken one on mine was about £35 delivered (internet) and has been fine since (20K miles) and was to the same stiffness and length as the original so no wheel alignment necessary.

Up to you and how much you want to spend, as the sky is the limit. There is a good 'How to' on here for doing just this job.

http://www.vectra-c.com/forum/showthread.php?t=75170

also read ALL the comments from people, as they are useful.

http://www.vectra-c.com/forum/showthread.php?t=75303

**GARY3306** · 12th January 2010, 17:29

No you don't NEED to renew a pair, but it's advisable (especially with these cars). You wouldn't renew the brake pads on one side only.

**ed taylor** · 12th January 2010, 17:55

I bought a pair for the wifes Vectra B off Ebay for about £46. Got to fit to fit them when it gets a bit warmer.

**Ste** · 12th January 2010, 21:21

Originally Posted by GARY3306

No you don't NEED to renew a pair, but it's advisable (especially with these cars). You wouldn't renew the brake pads on one side only.

They are a different situation entirely as road springs don't wear. You only replace both sides of brake pads so you don't get uneven braking during the initial stages of bedding in the new pads. Uneven braking effect can affect the cars handling.

Road springs do not need to be changed in pairs, and as said, if the one that isn't broken is perfectly serviceable, I wouldn't really advise anyone to change it out of routine. What they then choose to do is up to them. I am merely giving them the information to make an informed decision.

**BoroDave74** · 12th January 2010, 21:39

I replaced off side front spring only on mine, after much advice, it has been absolutely fine since - road handling, even tyre wear etc.

Your local Kwik-fit/ATS/National type place will want to charge you around £100 per spring supplied and fitted. Haggle, they can only say "no"!

A downside of fitting the aftermarket upgrades is they may be required to be declared on your insurance, and thus increase your premium and the overall cost. Put me off changing mine for eibachs.

I think frequently these decisions will be decided by how quick you need your car back in a safe and roadworthy condition.

**GARY3306** · 12th January 2010, 21:42

Originally Posted by Ste

...... I am merely giving them the information to make an informed decision.

So am I. Are you forgetting that I am also a vehicle technician. It just seems that EVERY time I or someone else gives any technical advice, you come along to 'correct' it. What makes you right all the time? What are VOSA's recommendations on this subject? I'll tell you, it's renew as a pair. The key word here being 'recommend' and as a forum that has a responsibility to ensure safety related advice is sound, then with your permission, I RECOMMEND you change as a pair. Oh and by the way, springs do weaken.

**Ste** · 12th January 2010, 23:13

I know you are a vehicle technician, and if I think that anyone's advise isn't justified, wrong or not the complete picture I will post 'corrections', 'additions', or 'cautions' or 'more info' as required. The basis for my information is speaking to the relevant experts in vehicle, system and component design, development and manufacture for cars. These people are not idiots, they do this for a living and are specialists in their own fields.

I do not contradict everyone or everything, so at least be accurate in what you say Gary.

The basis of what I have written, with the clear statement that the spring that hasn't failed is in good condition, is taken from experts in vehicle design and development from the field in which the subject matter is related.

So when I changed my front spring I asked the suspension and handling guys at work if it was necessary to change as a pair. The expert advice from people who's job is to design and develop suspension componentry and systems is what I have posted.

The reality is that what VOSA etc recommend will aim to be a catch all, suits everyone and all situations. This is not necessarily always the case.

I do not believe in replacing perfectly serviceable parts. It is costly, uneconomic, needlessly environmentally damaging and plain unnecessary.

Sometimes I wonder if some 'recommendations' are made to increase the amount of money that can be extracted from the customer out of a lack of knowledge on their part. I'm not aiming that at anyone or any situation in particular, it is just a general observation.

It looks likely that we will have to agree to differ on this one.