how do you know whe your front springs need replacing?

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BIG MATT

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td5 2001 auto es, 102K, but what should i look for on the front shocks/springs, nothing wrong at the moment but what age do they last too?

Just wondering??
 
BIG MATT said:
td5 2001 auto es, 102K, but what should i look for on the front shocks/springs, nothing wrong at the moment but what age do they last too?

Just wondering??
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If the front springs/absorbers are getting tyred the car usually drops harder on his nose when u push the brake(i dont mean breaking suddenly or too hard just normally, when it should'nt drop on his nose;)).........among other things
 
Cheers for the info, it does seem to drop when breaking, maybe i have not noticed it getting worse.

So any ideas on approx costs and is it easy to do?
 
My Tdi I took out to Zimbabwe was still on the original springs and shocks after 200,000km, so I think your coil springs should be good for a while unless they've been harshly treated or you have a heavy bull bar or winch. Typically first sign of a problem is them snapping (happened to my Vectra).

Haven't had my Td5 long enough for personal experiance but if you have rear air suspension, advice seems to be on this forum to change every 5 years or so, as failed air springs can cause pump failures. They are a cheap fix at about £70 each.

Cheers!
 
at 102k if they are original springs, they would have sagged up to about an inch, but you get "used to it", its not until you bung new ones in your realize just how bad they were, its also VERY common for D2 front springs to snap a coil or 2.

The height from the centre of the front wheel to the wheel arch (straight up) should be "about" 19.7 inches, measure it and see what it is.
 
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mmmm, thought I would measure mine with having 140k on the clock - 17.5 inch from centre of the wheel to the top of the arch - so never mind doing a 2 inch lift, as that would give me 4 inch lift, since I have lost 2 inches :( might just change the normal suspension for a 'lift' :rolleyes:
 
StuRox said:
mmmm, thought I would measure mine with having 140k on the clock - 17.5 inch from centre of the wheel to the top of the arch - so never mind doing a 2 inch lift, as that would give me 4 inch lift, since I have lost 2 inches :( might just change the normal suspension for a 'lift' :rolleyes:
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The figure I quoted was for a D2.......not sure what the D1 should be
 
ok, thanks - that makes me fee better - until someone comes along and says the D1 should be 20 inches lol
 
I had one spring break (front nearside) about 15 months ago (2002 D2, 165,000 miles, owned by me from new). The dealer put a single new spring in the nearside, and I can't tell any difference (i.e. the nearside does not stand higher than the offside). I asked the dealer (independant) if it was best-practice to change both springs on an axle at once, he said it didn't matter. Created no issues, and the car sits level.
 
MartinK said:
I had one spring break (front nearside) about 15 months ago (2002 D2, 165,000 miles, owned by me from new). The dealer put a single new spring in the nearside, and I can't tell any difference (i.e. the nearside does not stand higher than the offside). I asked the dealer (independant) if it was best-practice to change both springs on an axle at once, he said it didn't matter. Created no issues, and the car sits level.
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Did u order and give him the "new" spring / are u sure it's NEW or u can tell that it just looks like new?.......i ask coz i was hoaxed once exactly on this issue....i've realised when the paint began to come off on scales from the "new" spring:eek::doh:

i'd say that the red underlined part is bull****:mad:........IMHO
 
sierrafery said:
Did u order and give him the "new" spring / are u sure it's NEW or u can tell that it just looks like new?.......i ask coz i was hoaxed once exactly on this issue....i've realised when the paint began to come off on scales from the "new" spring:eek::doh:

i'd say that the red underlined part is bull****:mad:........IMHO
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The broken spring was noticed at a MOT. The car was up on ramps (I always watch an MOT while I wait), and the spring had broken right at the bottom - I did see the break but hadn't noticed it happen - also I would not have seen the damage easily without ramps.

As I left the MOT station, I booked the car into my independant LR mechanic for next day.

I did see the new spring before it went in - looked like a brand new LR part to me (with LR part # and all).

Part was fitted, and re-MOT'd next day (passed). MOT guy did not comment un-favourably with the single spring being replaced.

As I said..." Created no issues, and the car sits level.".

Been fine for 20000 miles at least.
 
bluesticky1 said:
Should the rear height be the same as the front ie approx 19.7"?
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It depends how the height sensors were calibrated. Normally it has to be quite similar(if we are speaking about SLS). If there are springs fitted it's good if the rear is a bit higher to keep good ground clearence if the back is loaded......taking into acount the absent ORM.
 
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On the subject of TD5 front suspension coils, my 2002 Serengeti (18" wheels) nearside coil broke after approx 60k miles, 3 years ago. I'd not noticed any problem and it was spotted at an MOT. The coil was replaced by the main dealers. At 81K miles the vehicle now appears to be "sitting down" at the rear offside but in fact it seems that this is because the front offside has sagged because, if I lift the front offside up, the rear levels across the axle (which has SLS as it's a 7 seater - there doesn't appear to be a problem with the air bags). Inspecting the front coils, I see that one has purple and white colour coding, whereas the other is orange and white.....strange, given that the Dealers say the springs are the same part number.
Anyone out there got any ideas as to whether the different colour codings are correct or any other thoughts on uneven front ride height....it blows out the water suggestion that coils can be changed singly.:confused:
 
Worryingly, all are bang on 19.7 inches except for the front nearside, which is about 21". Looks like that's something else that needs attending too. Might be at Stoneleigh on Monday with an empty boot!!!
 
Gadgetman said:
On the subject of TD5 front suspension coils, my 2002 Serengeti (18" wheels) nearside coil broke after approx 60k miles, 3 years ago. I'd not noticed any problem and it was spotted at an MOT. The coil was replaced by the main dealers. At 81K miles the vehicle now appears to be "sitting down" at the rear offside but in fact it seems that this is because the front offside has sagged because, if I lift the front offside up, the rear levels across the axle (which has SLS as it's a 7 seater - there doesn't appear to be a problem with the air bags). Inspecting the front coils, I see that one has purple and white colour coding, whereas the other is orange and white.....strange, given that the Dealers say the springs are the same part number.
Anyone out there got any ideas as to whether the different colour codings are correct or any other thoughts on uneven front ride height....it blows out the water suggestion that coils can be changed singly.:confused:
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If you ask me fitting 1 new spring on any side or axle is VERY BAD practice, suspension items should ALWAYS be fitted in pairs, and when your talking about saggy Landy springs its even more important imo.

There are many diff spring variants and colours, and each is fitted to diff spec vehicles, both in petrol and diesel.

The Disco springs are "handed", to optimize the trim height, but from my experience this often makes the vehicle lean (usually to the nearside), its to trim the vehicle out because its not balanced very well over its own "centreline"

White and purple is a correct Diesel engined spring.....Orange and white does not exist in the info I have, oh and they all have different part numbers, why a dealer would tell you the opposite is beyond me!!!
 
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Measured my D2 front springs at 18 inches, same for the rear air suspension when at rest.

With 119k on the clock should I worry? What is the air suspension height with the engine running on normal and full extension?
 
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