broken coil spring experience

[softtop]

Put my car (1990 300ce-24) in for new front pads and discs today with Brian at Mercstar (good bloke) only to find that both coil springs had snapped at the tops and the car was resting on the broken stubs!

This is apparently common on older 124s so have yours checked at some point since it can't be safe.

Ride, tracking and road noise have been improved as well.

Soft Top
1990 300ce-24, 140k miles
1994 E320 AMG cabrio 104k miles

 

[Chazchuzzlewitt]

I thought they usually broke at the bottom where they rest on the control arm- this is where I had one of mine break- typically just after I bought it.
It is, as you say, quite a common problem on the 124's- even highlighted in the MB service bulletins.

 

[Bolide]

While you're at it...

Whilst you're getting the garage to check for broken springs get them to check the balljoints

Balljoints, springs, arb bushes and front pads make a nice "front end freshen-up" package and the total isn't too frightening either!


Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[clive williams]

Put my car (1990 300ce-24) in for new front pads and discs today with Brian at Mercstar (good bloke) only to find that both coil springs had snapped at the tops and the car was resting on the broken stubs!

This is apparently common on older 124s so have yours checked at some point since it can't be safe.

Ride, tracking and road noise have been improved as well.

Soft Top
1990 300ce-24, 140k miles
1994 E320 AMG cabrio 104k miles

:evil: Broken springs are a (very poor) fact of life for W124 owners. Personally, I have never heard of a persistant broken spring problem on other manufacturers vehicles. I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion that they are 'not fit for purpose'. Can somebody suggest a supplier of springs for W124s that are properly wound and tempered? Eibach? I wouldn't trust MB 'quality' parts
PS I have been running the 500E with a split lead-in tang on the nearside spring for at laest 5 years now with no noticable difference in handling.

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

 

[Silver Arrow]

I had a front Passenger side go on a 123, and a rear driver side on a 124. The 124 wasn't noticable, but the 123 one fell out at 60 and resulted in an absorbing ride down the lane berfore stopping.

 

[softtop]

broken springs

Not sure if it was the top or bottom of the spring since they were out on the floor when i saw them.

I'm hoping this is a one off 'original part' problem for a 15 year old car!

cheers, softtop

 

[grober]

Sacrificial anodes

The broken spring syndrome is due to corrosion induced stress fracture. the springs normally break at the bottom where they are subjected to more corrosion , hence the fronts fail more often than the rears. Mercedes use to factory fit their springs with sacrificial anodes where they seat on the bottom wishbone. Dont know if they help much really but maybe delay the inevitable.

 

[clive williams]

The broken spring syndrome is due to corrosion induced stress fracture. the springs normally break at the bottom where they are subjected to more corrosion , hence the fronts fail more often than the rears. Mercedes use to factory fit their springs with sacrificial anodes where they seat on the bottom wishbone. Dont know if they help much really but maybe delay the inevitable.

Grober, I'm not so sure. My springs on the 500E are still visibly black painted and there is no sign of rampant corrosion and still the tang on the N/S one is broken linearly. Besides when did you last hear of another manufacturer having this problem with springs? Manufacturing defect I'm sure.

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

 

[kth286]

Grober

You are correct.

The later W124 had zinc plate inserts fitted between the wishbone and front spring.

Mine has them and they are about 2 inches long.

Anyone that has changed their springs via a dealer will probably have them missing, as thay are slightly fiddly to pace in position.

Regards

 

[davidsl500]

Broken coil springs are very common on many vehicles. I think Vauxhall Chevettes held the record back in the late 70's / 80's. Front ones would only make one MOT.

They usually break at the bottom in the pan - the coil is usually a thinner diameter at this point and the major cause of breakage is erosion - dirt and road grit trapped in the pan grind their way through the coil as the suspension moves and the coil eventually snaps as it weakens.

Better coil springs have flattened profiles at the ends which gives a better contact area on the pan and lessens the eroding action, most standard coil springs are left rounded which gives a point contact and exacerbates the erosion.

I suppose you could jet wash the pans once in a while to remove the grit.

Can anyone tell I spent some time in the coil spring market? Very boring apart from a few very enjoyable trips to Sweden watching production...

 

[Ian Brown]

Broken coil springs are very common on many vehicles. I think Vauxhall Chevettes held the record back in the late 70's / 80's. Front ones would only make one MOT.

They usually break at the bottom in the pan - the coil is usually a thinner diameter at this point and the major cause of breakage is erosion - dirt and road grit trapped in the pan grind their way through the coil as the suspension moves and the coil eventually snaps as it weakens.

Better coil springs have flattened profiles at the ends which gives a better contact area on the pan and lessens the eroding action, most standard coil springs are left rounded which gives a point contact and exacerbates the erosion.

I suppose you could jet wash the pans once in a while to remove the grit.

Can anyone tell I spent some time in the coil spring market? Very boring apart from a few very enjoyable trips to Sweden watching production...

The Vauxhall,s are still very bad for springs breaking the astra and corsa being the worst.

 

[turnipsock]

The broken spring syndrome is due to corrosion induced stress fracture. the springs normally break at the bottom where they are subjected to more corrosion , hence the fronts fail more often than the rears. Mercedes use to factory fit their springs with sacrificial anodes where they seat on the bottom wishbone. Dont know if they help much really but maybe delay the inevitable.

That explains the extra bit on the bottom seat I saw when I replaced my front springs. One of the springs was still broken...at the bottom.

Does anybody know if the zinc inserts are still available?