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        General >> Give/Need advice to/from others >> Coil Springs
        
(Message started by: SCDCarter on Feb 27^th, 2008, 6:24pm)

Title: Coil Springs
Post by SCDCarter on Feb 27^th, 2008, 6:24pm

I have a 2.5 TD Scorpio Exec. On my MOT last week it was discovered that both front springs were broken (bottom coil snapped on both sides).

Some time ago I picked up a Scorpio front end suspension off e-bay. Struts/springs and the bits and pieces that go with it. Before buying I asked the seller if they would fit my car and was assured that they would.

I have this week fitted both the McPherson Struts and the Coil Springs.

Having made a small journey I now find that the strut is protruding about half an inch above the top mount and retainer. I have the nuts screwed down as far as they will go. i.e to the end of the thread. I had thought to take up the play with washers but, this might be a problem that will only get worse.

Although it appears pretty obvious to me what the problem is, I thought I would get confimation from the experts.

I think I have been sold coil springs for a Petrol Scorpio which would be a considerably lighter car than a Diesel.

Can anyone confirm or, put me right. Also, is this an automatic MOT failure as it stands?

thanks

SCD Carter

Title: Re: Coil Springs
Post by taliban aka Cheekyboy2 on Feb 27^th, 2008, 9:19pm

the springs are colour coded, they should be purple for the td, dont know about the mot bit, i would suspect yes if they notice it...

Title: Re: Coil Springs
Post by mr._floppy on Feb 27^th, 2008, 10:10pm

I wouldn't worry as to the MOT.

As long as the struts and springs are secure and work properly.

Title: Re: Coil Springs
Post by gozz on Feb 27^th, 2008, 10:41pm

SCD
Not too clear what you mean about protrusions?If the spring is too weak the front will be lower than normal.Nothing should protrude.Were the springs and struts built up properly,eg is anything missing out of the top above the spring and seat.
GOZZ (mystified)

Title: Re: Coil Springs
Post by SCDCarter on Feb 28^th, 2008, 12:06am

on 02/27/08 at 21:19:54, taliban aka Cheekyboy2 wrote:

the springs are colour coded, they should be purple for the td, dont know about the mot bit, i would suspect yes if they notice it...

There is no other color than black. There was no wrapping/packaging on them either.

I read in another strand on this board that there is a marginal difference in the diameter of the coils for Petrol and Diesel engined cars. Although I have no digital gauge, I did put an adjustable on the ones I have fitted and then tried to put it on the ones I took off. It appears that the ones I took off are marginally larger.

Title: Re: Coil Springs
Post by SCDCarter on Feb 28^th, 2008, 12:21am

on 02/27/08 at 22:41:50, gozz wrote:

The protrusions I speak of are the top of the suspension strut that runs through the coil spring, the top of which is visible when you open the bonnet. You have the three bolts affixed to the retainer coming through the top of the wing (Suspension Seat) in the centre of which is the nut which screws onto the actual strut. (Sorry if you have already grasped what I am talking about but I am not sure how well I am explaining it). The nut is screwed all the way down, there is no more thread left. If you look at this page
http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/frontsusp.htm the last photo on the right hand side shows that there is a further area beyond the thread before the ledge upon which the weight of the car would sit. It is this part that is protruding through so that it looks as though the struts are too long.

Title: Re: Coil Springs
Post by SCDCarter on Feb 28^th, 2008, 12:27am

Further to my last, whilst visually the car does not appear to be low, the springs are well compressed with very little gap between the top of the front tyre and the metal of the wing. I had some difficulty getting my hand through with an adjustable to perform my earlier measurements.

Title: Re: Coil Springs
Post by martin_rowe on Feb 28^th, 2008, 8:37am

the amount 'protruding' would be the same if you fitted the strut without the spring on, either there is something missing / damaged in the top mount.

Title: Re: Coil Springs
Post by gozz on Feb 28^th, 2008, 12:21pm

SCD.
The steel bit on top of the rubber and below the retaining nut is about half an inch above the turret where the three nuts are,the big nut has about half inch of thread above the nut.It sounds as if you are saying that there is an amount of the shaft below the thread protruding.If this is so,as martin_rowe says something has been omitted when the last person fitted the springs.Best to look at getting the missing parts from your original struts,or preferably fit the springs to your old struts.Dont worry if the car sits a bit low,the MOT bloke cant fail it,but if he sees faulty strut tops he could.
Hope I,ve understood you this time.GOZZ

Title: Re: Coil Springs
Post by SCDCarter on Feb 28^th, 2008, 3:49pm

HI,

Thanks for all the help. I have now found that my old Top Mounts (Rubber) have a metal bush in the centre that appears to be moulded into the fitting. The metal bush enables the mount to sit on top of the Strut. The new Mounts that I have do not have this metal bush.

I have now taken everything apart and refitted the old top mounts.

The good thing was that a job that took me all from first thing in the morning to last thing at night the first time was completed in 2.5 hours the second time. Although I will put that down to the fact that I had no problems with rusting nuts and bushes rather than any expertise on my part.

The car now sits properly.

Title: Re: Coil Springs
Post by martin_rowe on Feb 28^th, 2008, 4:40pm

wow I normally change both front springs in less than 1hr.

Title: Re: Coil Springs
Post by gozz on Feb 28^th, 2008, 8:14pm

Are you McLaren trained martin_rowe ?
Plodder GOZZ.

Title: Re: Coil Springs
Post by martin_rowe on Feb 29^th, 2008, 8:40am

no just 30 odd years doing the job. you ask the wife how quick I am.

Title: Re: Coil Springs
Post by gozz on Feb 29^th, 2008, 8:47am

Thought we were speaking of springs ! ;)
GOZZ

Title: Re: Coil Springs
Post by martin_rowe on Feb 29^th, 2008, 2:08pm

she watched me when I did her springs. (the car I mean)