Nearside Front road spring catching on inner body suspension turret

[Rod1883]

I'm looking for some advice please. As per the title of this thread my nearside front spring is just catching on the edge of the inner wing turret. Is it possible to take the tension off the spring with a couple of spring compressors and twist the spring slightly so that the slight bow in the spring that is catching is moved away from the turret wall? The road spring doesn't seem to have any locating mechanism that means it will only fit in one place, so it seems to me to be worth a try - are there any reasons why I shouldn't, or any advice that anyone can give, perhaps from experience? Thanks, Rod.

[jakesmig]

Front Strut Replacement - Haynes Manual or Repair Operations Manual

The above thread posted by Simon {classic49} (sorry I don't know how to post it as a link) refers to fitting a spring to avoid the problem you are experiencing. Hope it helps.
John.

[Rod1883]

Thanks, I've found the thread, and a couple of others. Is it the case that the road spring can be rotated when the wheel is straight ahead without the need to compress the spring at all? Presumably this is done with the car jacked up and so the wheel in the air and the spring extended? Apologies for all the questions (and my inability to space out my lines whilst typing?!?). Thanks, Rod

[martin]

Hi Rod, possibly worth trying, but I would have said no, even extended it's still under considerable compression, and the rubber seat will work against you. Martin.

[jakesmig]

ditto martin

[martin]

The lower spring pan is shaped so the spring will only seat properly one way, that's so that any bending in compression will be away from the strut, if it's seated properly, but touches the strut, it needs to be replaced, and they should be replaced in pairs. Sorry, not good news. Martin.

[Westfaling]

Rod
Is this related to your wheel/tyre size or are you on standard fitments?
Nick

[Rod1883]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I am on standard steel wheels and tyre size. The problem started after a full front suspension rebuild by a reputable specialist a couple of years ago now, although he refitted the original springs. When I went back to him after hearing the noise of the spring touching the inner wing turret, he said it wasn't dangerous, but probably needed new springs fitting. I was disappointed because he could, and should in my opinion have fitted new springs when it was all apart. Anyway, I'd like to try the twisting of the spring, following the Haynes style advice so I'll get some spring compressors and give it a go, nothing to lose I think by trying. It seems to me that the bending under compression is moving the spring toward the rear of the turret, and just catching on the corner of the turret, rather than outward toward the wheel as I think it should be based on the advice in the threads I've been directed toward. Thanks again for all the help.

[Westfaling]

Rod
Sorry I misread this. I thought it was tyre rubbing. This is something I should take a look at on my car as I have an undiagnosed knocking.
Just checked clearance at the front of my LHS spring is about 0.6mm (25 Thou) pretty sure it must be the cause of the knocking on RH bends/braking.
So like Rod I need to know how to adjust this - tons of room at the back of the spring.
Nick
IMG_5306.jpg

[Westfaling]

Rod
Just read some old threads and there's plenty of advice on front spring installation which likely explains the clearance issue.
Nick

[len]

hi
i had exactly the same problem as this a couple of years ago ,i resolved it by replacing the springs,problem cured.
looking at some polybush insulators i have it does look like you could move the spring , if you have rubber insulators i am not sure if you can move these.
just had a look at my springs and there is not an obvious bow in them, i hate to suggest it but i would say your springs are probably knackered !
good luck
len

[Westfaling]

Len
My springs are new - no guarantee I know but car is actually sitting a bit high and handling/ride is good. The large gap to the strut tower at the back suggests to me that I've installed it wrong.
Nick

[len]

Nick

Have you got rubber insulators or polybush ?
the more i think about this , i am pretty sure there is a certain position they are intended to fit,.i.e rubber insulators have an indent to indicate where the spring should be positioned.I have a set of polybush ready to fit when i get my shock absorbers (out of stock) when i fit these i will have to be very careful in my positioning of the spring..If you need this information with pictures when i have done this ,let me know .
Len

[Mike Stevens]

I'm pretty sure the manual has something for this on the lines of "rotating the spring until".... (while still compressed with clamps) Then I can't remember. I believe the spring is bowed to make sure this doesn't happen as long as it is fitted correctly. However, having looked at the scanned version I have I can't find the relevant bit. I'm pretty sure it's in the 2000 range manual. I'll have to look and see what it says.

I don't think that new spring seats, either rubber or ploy - are actually shaped for the spring, old ones just get worn that way with the spring in place.

Cheers,
Mike.

[len]

Mike
yes you could well be right about the spring seats, good point .
strange though when i renewed my springs i put them in exactlty the same place as the old springs and my problem was gone !
maybe just a bit of my irish luck !
Len