Broken Front Springs

[Ginettamad]

I Heard a big bang whilst driving along the M1 the other day then 10 minutes later I heard another big bang a tinkle from the other bloody side! It seems bothe front springs have lost their bottom ends so they must have both been very evenly matched to go so close together? But why?

I suspect the MOT man may fail her even though it still rides ok.

Looking at my rusted strut tops I presume I'll have to replace the struts too by cutting off the top nuts. Also the top rubbers and bearings as they twang alot and spin in wet weather.

Car done 103k now.

Can I get the struts out without undoing the drive shaft nuts as I dont have a big enough socket to release them?

I preusume if I undo the bottom ball joints and track rod ends then the sliding action of the drive shafts may be enough to remove the struts?

Anyone done them recently?

H

[seatkid]

Last time I had a spring go in about 1996 (85 Passat), I just went to Masterfit (Vauxhalls cheap servicing arm) and it was almost as cheap for them to change it as I could get a spring for. Unless you're an experienced rusty suspension mechanic with some decent lifting gear I would phone around and get the job done for you.

 

I am puzzled why both springs would go within 10 minutes of each other, I personally would worry a little about it.......

[Ginettamad]

Has anyone got access to the original spring specs for each Gal Model. I would presume the 99 Zetec TDI would have stronger springs than a Petrol Model. Anyone know for sure as suppliers of spring give different stories depending on where you go? Mine have a white dot and yellow dot marked on them which apparently is the factory marking but no idea what poundage they are? Did the Zetec have the same springs as the Alh / Sharan SE?

May buy some G max springs but they only list one set for all cars so its a gamble for a heavy TDi engine?

Harvey

[familyman]

Has anyone got access to the original spring specs for each Gal Model. I would presume the 99 Zetec TDI would have stronger springs than a Petrol Model. Anyone know for sure as suppliers of spring give different stories depending on where you go? Mine have a white dot and yellow dot marked on them which apparently is the factory marking but no idea what poundage they are? Did the Zetec have the same springs as the Alh / Sharan SE?

May buy some G max springs but they only list one set for all cars so its a gamble for a heavy TDi engine?

Harvey

The springs are different-lots of variations to suit the models,best bet is get the proper part number from your local ford dealer,and then try motor factors or someone like http://www.eurocarparts.com/default.asp they're usually prtetty good at getting bits

[Willie Krashitt]

For Mk 1 Galaxies, Ford only list 3 springs: White, White/White and White/Yellow. Gets far more complex on Mk 2's.

White seems to be only for 2.0L petrol, White/white seems to cover a whole variety of models/engines, while white/yellow seems to cover the diesel models and those with automatic transmission.

If you have a look at VAG-Cat (available free to all online - very useful for exploded diagrams and VW part numbers), it suggests white/yellow is for heavy duty use as well.

 

For the White/Yellow springs, Ford part no. is F1001402, VW Part No.7M0411105K. Ford charge

[Ginettamad]

My plan is to do the lower ball joints, strut top bearings and dampers too yes but I wanted to compare the Original spring rates to those Gmax spring sets talked about on the custom forum which get a good review. I can get a set of 4 for around

[seatkid]

I have a knock on my steering rack which feels like the inner track rod ball joint on the rack so another job. I presume this can be detatched from under the gaitor ok?

Probably an ARB drop link

 

TWANG! ........Two springs on my wagon....and I'm still rollin along......... ;)

[Ginettamad]

Done the dodgy drop link which cured one rattle but the knock can still be felt on the steering arm when someone wiggles the steering. Track rod ends seem ok which just leaves the inner rack ball joints which can be bought from ebay for

[makil6]

Probably wont help you much but i had to replace the top strut mounts on my Gal a couple of years ago, (nightmare!). I believe in an ideal world your supposed to hold the strut from turning by using an allen key in the top of the threaded rod at the top whilst removing the top nut. Haha. The cup on mines under the bonnet was full of water and the allen socket lasted about 2 mins. Im sure i had to end up using mole grips on the strut under the wheel arch. Once the nuts were off it was plain sailing and it certainly stopped it sounding like the front end was falling apart. Best of luck with all yours, and BTW just put a cable tie on the steering rack gaitor, thats what a garage would do. Had 4 racks on mine, but thats a different story.

[seatkid]

the knock can still be felt on the steering arm when someone wiggles the steering.

Is that with the engine running?

Its not uncommon to have some play when the engine is off, the power steering pump pressures the rack a bit and takes the play up.

 

Double check the track rod ends, only a small bit of wear is required for a knock/MOT failure. Coomon failure.

[Ginettamad]

Yes with engine running and off.

[familyman]

I Heard a big bang whilst driving along the M1 the other day then 10 minutes later I heard another big bang a tinkle from the other bloody side! It seems bothe front springs have lost their bottom ends so they must have both been very evenly matched to go so close together? But why?

I suspect the MOT man may fail her even though it still rides ok.

Looking at my rusted strut tops I presume I'll have to replace the struts too by cutting off the top nuts. Also the top rubbers and bearings as they twang alot and spin in wet weather.

Car done 103k now.

Can I get the struts out without undoing the drive shaft nuts as I dont have a big enough socket to release them?

I preusume if I undo the bottom ball joints and track rod ends then the sliding action of the drive shafts may be enough to remove the struts?

Anyone done them recently?

H

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FORD-GALAXY-FRONT-CO...id=p3286.c0.m14 are these any goo to you ?d