Front Coil Spring

[humptyw]

Front suspension coil spring snapped in drive yesterday and went straight through tyre! Brand new Pirelli! Anyway, I'm not sure how to fix this. I presume the whole strut needs removing to replace the spring? Has anyone done this? I need the car back on the road ASAP so if not confident to DIY will take to garage. Not sure if I should go to local independent or main dealer for this job. Any thoughts? Thanks.

[Johndouglas]

Yes - the leg needs to come out then you'll need a pair of spring compressors - maybe not to remove the broken spring but certainly to replace with the new one.   Incidentally, they recommend replacing them as a pair.

 

Any competent garage should be able to do the job.   Springs are available else where other than main dealers.

[humptyw]

Thanks very much. Top of strut looks a bit tricky to access inside bonnet as its so far back. Presume lots needs removing to access it? Wish there was a Haynes for this car. I've got a little corsa too and rarely have to take it to the garage. Will probably just give up on this one and let garage sort if I can drive it there. And yes, I realise should be done in pairs so will get cost for that too. Thanks again.

[Johndouglas]

If it's of help - a Citroen dealer would allow 2.5 hours labour time to do both sides.   And replacement springs can be had from around £35 on ebay....http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CITROEN-C8-HDI-2-0-FRONT-L-COIL-SPRING-FROM-7-02-ONWARDS/330690283700?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D36381%26meid%3D54ffb840c6dd49b5a37df2b12c50f64a%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D220958974596......but make sure you get the correct ones for your car.

[humptyw]

That's really helpful thanks.

[BigBruv]

Thanks very much. Top of strut looks a bit tricky to access inside bonnet as its so far back. Presume lots needs removing to access it? Wish there was a Haynes for this car. I've got a little corsa too and rarely have to take it to the garage. Will probably just give up on this one and let garage sort if I can drive it there. And yes, I realise should be done in pairs so will get cost for that too. Thanks again.

[BigBruv]

You don't need to remove anything from under the bonnet. There is two bolts holding the strut that are inside the arch.just took mine off to remove my turbo.

[humptyw]

Even better! Thanks. Might have a go then.

[Johndouglas]

Here's a picture which may help.

[humptyw]

I noticed them but didn't realise they would release the strut . Thanks again.

[Simple]

A couple of years back I changed ONE on my car, it was a mistake, my car (slightly) veers to one side since then..change the two!! and make sure they are classified for your model. (they all fit, but they are not all the same strength, I think there are 2 or 3 specs depending on Diesel/petrol and 15/16 inch).

The below procedure is from memory and as far as I remember, I did not have to take all the bolts and nuts out,

1- I rented 2 coil spring compressors that can be tightened/loosened from both sides (about 36 CM)

2- Raised the car from the broken spring side and removed the wheel.

3- Disconnected 1 ball joint (I think it was the wishbone one)

4- Removed the 2 bolts shown in the picture and lowered the strut assembly down and out.

5- Unscrewed the top securing plate and removed the spring (remember the order).

6- Compressed the new spring and fitted it into the strut (while lying out) making sure:

a- The compressors is NOT placed too high to prevent removal once back in position

b- The compressors screw ends pointing downwards, so that they do not go through the wheel arch when released.

c- The 2 compressors are on the front and back of the wheel arch side, not the the engine and the road, so that you can handle them.

7- Place the strut in position and fit the 2 bolts.

8- Fit the compressed assembly in position and replace the ball joint/s

9- Uncompress the springs from the bottom of the compressors sides and replace the tyre.

 

P.S. The spring compression/decompression is highly dangerous and MUST be handled with all safety procedures implemented.

I bought a couple of coil spring compressors, the long screw had one hex side and the other side is the usual round threaded end... I had to grind the round threaded side so that I could fit a tool to loosen/tighten from this end as well.

[paul.h]

Before you even start the job or buy any parts, ask your Citroen dealer service department since Citroen have replaced coil springs free of charge on many occasions. We had a front one fail on a 2003 C3 at about 5½ years old and a rear one on a 2010 C3 at just over 5 years old and in both cases they were replaced as an axle set (both sides so they were the same) with Citroen paying. The dealer will contact Citroen to see if Citroen will pay so all you need to do is visit the dealer.

 

Citroen use coloured bands on the springs so you can check which ones are in place and to make sure you get the same ones to replace them, otherwise the suspension will not be the same (noted by Simple in his detailed post).

[humptyw]

thanks folks. very helpful info.