Front Spring Failure

[mitch]

My '02 HDi Exclusive went into the workshop yesterday for it's annual service and MOT. I have owned it from new and it has performed without fault or problems for the last five years. The service mechanic had to issue a MOT failure when he discovered that a substantial section of the front near side coil spring had "disappeared". The car had the suspension cup recall modification carried out about two years ago. I asked if there was any history of C3 front spring failure, and if the recall was a quick fix to a larger problem. I was given a rather vague story about pot holes and poor roads and just being unlucky at 35,000 miles. But I sense that there's more to all this than I am being told. This problem is going to cost £200 to fix, if and when the service agent gets hold of the required part - which interestingly seems to be in short supply. I'm tempted to ask Citroen some awkward questions but I'd really like to hear from any other owners who've suffered failure in one or both front springs. Is this happening a lot? Are the diesels more at risk? I've owned many, many cars over the past 35 years and although many things have broken, this is the first time I've encountered a coil spring actually breaking apart. Perhaps it's a reflection of the way Citroen achieve their "bargain" prices?

[kfk]

Take a look here

[mitch]

Thanks for the tip. I thought something was a bit strange about all this. It was the rather shifty way I was spoken to by the service manager that suggested to me this was a conversation he'd held many times before.

[NakedFlame]

Thanks for the tip. I thought something was a bit strange about all this. It was the rather shifty way I was spoken to by the service manager that suggested to me this was a conversation he'd held many times before.

 

There is a front suspension recall. Look on VOSA website. I had nsf one go and a lump of spring hit the floor. One end was clean metal, the other rusty meaning it been snapped for a while before total collapse. Both front struts replaced by Citroen free of charge even though car was outside warranty period.

[Geordieman54]

Seems you are not alone with Spring Problems and at relatively low mileages, this is a serious saftey issue just glad my instance was when I got into the car on the drive and it collapsed before I even got the key in the ignition.

 

Don't know if it is diesel related but my vehicle is a 55 Plate 1.4 Sensodrive with 32,000 miles on the clock.....Phew thank god I wasn't moving and its still under warranty!

 

Garage did say "springs break2" yes but not so many at such a low mileage.

 

 

Update to posting....Collection and replacement of failure done under warranty (I I would have expected anyway) but interesting the list of replacements considering car was stationary and the danger of it affecting the brakes if I have been moving!

 

Both Front Road Springs

NSF Strut Top Mounting

NSF Brake Flexi Hose

NSF CV Boot

NSF ABS Sensor

 

Plus all the Brake bleeding etc...

 

Guess Which Side collapsed!

[BarbsC1]

Seems you are not alone with Spring Problems and at relatively low mileages, this is a serious saftey issue just glad my instance was when I got into the car on the drive and it collapsed before I even got the key in the ignition.

 

Don't know if it is diesel related but my vehicle is a 55 Plate 1.4 Sensodrive with 32,000 miles on the clock.....Phew thank god I wasn't moving and its still under warranty!

 

Garage did say "springs break2" yes but not so many at such a low mileage.

It's not just the C3's suffering from this Xsara Picasso's and Berlingo's also are doing the same, the recall was done to prevent damage to the tyres etc the worrying thing is C3's that weren't covered in the recall are still breaking springs, tad worrying I think

[raveydavey]

Well, the OSF spring on my C3 has gone, so that was both front springs replaced for the MOT.

 

Total bill, including test, two bulbs and a rear wiper blade, £317 including a large drink for Gordon Brown. Bargain. :(

 

I'm shocked to read that Citroen were picking up the tab for the springs though.

I might send a copy of the bill to Citroen Customer Services and see what happens, although as the car is nearly 5 years old and has covered 70,000 miles I'm not going to hold my breath...they never responded to my request they found out why a dealer had supposedly carried out the recall spring cup fit but only fitted a cup on one side.

 

To be honest, given the tales of woe on here and elsewhere regarding the springs I'm surprised they lasted so long, especially given the diabolical state of the roads around here.

[Guest Pamal]

Well, the OSF spring on my C3 has gone, so that was both front springs replaced for the MOT.

 

Total bill, including test, two bulbs and a rear wiper blade, £317 including a large drink for Gordon Brown. Bargain. :lol:

 

I'm shocked to read that Citroen were picking up the tab for the springs though.

I might send a copy of the bill to Citroen Customer Services and see what happens, although as the car is nearly 5 years old and has covered 70,000 miles I'm not going to hold my breath...they never responded to my request they found out why a dealer had supposedly carried out the recall spring cup fit but only fitted a cup on one side.

 

To be honest, given the tales of woe on here and elsewhere regarding the springs I'm surprised they lasted so long, especially given the diabolical state of the roads around here.

 

name =pamal date-24 April 2008

 

My C3 Exclusive plate '54 collapsed whilst taking it out of the garage this week-end ( 19th April ). The AA were called and were brilliant in helping to get the car on to the loader. Because the front was so low to the ground two plastic ramps were put in front of the wheels to elevate the car for there would have been more damage. Had it taken to my Citreon dealer who were excellent in there response to this problem. When I picked the car up the charge which we were were qouted in the beginning was £500. The bill was was settled by Citreon. Brilliant outcome, nevertheless a bit nerve wrecking to say the very least. Thankyou to my dealer and to Citreon for honouring the problem.

[Guest CE05LDB]

I have had my C3 back today good as new. They know I am disabled so my dealer hurried it up for me so I am well pleased and at least the new owner who gets it after me will get a problem free car.

[mitch]

It's been a year since I reported the front spring breakage on this thread. I've still got the HDi Exclusive which had its 2008 MOT test last week.

 

Just to complete the story - last year the broken spring was replaced by my service agent and cost me £200. I emailed Citroen and presented my case for compensation. Citroen sent an encouraging reply and told me to get my service agent to put in a claim on my behalf. This was done without fuss and a few weeks later, I received a cheque for £200, which was pleasing.

 

I've been concerned that the other spring might fail at any time but so far, there have been no further problems. At last weeks MOT, the mechanics had a really close look at the unaffected spring, and without access to fancy metal testing equipment, declared it to be in good condition. Here's hoping ......

[stimulator]

I am really suprised to hear that they didn't change both at the same time as a matter of course. when my 2004 54 reg C3 HDi broke an offside spring at 32K both were changed FOC. This is due to a) One spring would then have different characterics to the other, :rolleyes: the new spring would cause tthe car to ride higher on that side.

 

My car was not subject to cup recall. the new springs have a grey plastic sleeve on the lower first coil to prevent spring to mounting direct contact.