Front coil springs

[bmxdave]

My Dads mk2 Cortina failed its MOT on coil springs today. Apparently theyre cut too short and are dangerous. I dont agree. Ive had a real good look over and theyre fine. They wont dismount if they travel too far. But hey, apparently the guy less qualified then me muct know because he has a VOSA badge.

 

Back to the point though, what springs will fit the standard struts?

 

We phoned OldFordAutos, and Rallydesign, but they dont know.

 

Im hoping some people on here are better educated?

 

One did mention base model mk1 Escorts, but we dont wanna order on a whimm, we actually wanna know.

 

Cheers guys!

[allanmex]

do the springs stay seated properly when the car is jacked up with the suspension hanging free??

[bmxdave]

Yeah, but the guy said if your at speeds and went over a bump theyd dis located. They wouldnt, but you cant argue can you.

 

My Dad wants to raise it an inch anyway though, so were doing it while we have the chance.

[Ratters]

If they stay seated then it's not a failure. If they don't seat, wire or cable-tie them into the cups.

[PAUL MANN]

taken out of the testers manualShortened or lowered coil springs

 

Take care when jacking vehicles with shortened or lowered springs fitted. Provided the spring ends locate correctly when the vehicle is lowered into the normal running position, without assistance this is not a reason for rejection.

*************************************************************

1. Examine each spring for general condition. In particular, look for cracks or fractures. 1. A coil spring

a. incomplete, cracked or fractured

b. worn or corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced such that it is seriously weakened

c. repaired by welding or damaged by excessive heat.

2. Check that both ends of each spring are correctly located 2. A coil spring end not correctly located.

3. check that the spring mountings are

a. secure 3. A coil spring mounting

a. loose

b. free from cracks and fractures b. cracked or fractured

c. free from excessive damage or corrosion c. seriously weakened by damage or corrosion

D. Fluid/Gas/Air Suspension

Care must be taken not to cause damage to body work when pushing down on the suspension.

 

 

1. Check suspension units and accumulators for 1. A suspension unit or accumulator

a. displacement a. displaced

b. damage or serious deterioration b. damaged or deteriorated so that it is likely to fail

c. fouling by moving parts c. fouled by moving parts likely to cause damage or restrict travel

2. Check for any leak in the system 2. A leak in the system.

3. Check suspension units’ supply pipes or interconnecting pipes for damage or corrosion. 3. A suspension unit supply pipe or interconnecting pipe damaged or corroded so that it is seriously weakened.

4. Check the security of

a. levelling valves 4.

a. an insecure levelling valve

b. fluid supply pipes and interconnecting pipes b. an insecure fluid supply pipe or interconnecting pipe

5. At each corner of the vehicle, where practicable, push down (or pull down from underneath), and note the amount of suspension movement. 5. No suspension movement

Note: Large vehicle suspensions can be difficult to move. Ensure there is a defect before rejection.

E. Torsion Bars

 

1. Examine the bars for 1. A torsion bar

a. cracks and fractures a. cracked or fractured

b. excessive corrosion and pitting

c. Welding or excessive heat b. deteriorated by corrosion or pitting so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened

c. Repaired by welding or damaged by excessive heat

2. Check the end fixings for 2. Insecurity or excessive play at an end fixing.

a. security

b. excessive free play

3. Examine the adjustment assemblies for security. 3. Adjustment assembly inadequately locked.

4. Check that the attachments of bars are 4. A torsion bar attachment bracket

a. secure to frame and suspension a. loose

b. free from cracks or fractures b. cracked or fractured

c. free from excessive damage or corrosion c. seriously weakened by damage or by corrosion

F. Bonded Suspension Units

This inspection applies to bonded

suspension spring units ie rubber cone suspension. Bonded mountings and bushes are to be inspected in accordance with subsection 2.4G.

1. Check that the attachments of units are

a. secure 1. A bonded unit attachment

a. loose

b. free from cracks and fractures b. cracked or fractured

c. free from excessive damage or corrosion c. seriously weakened by damage or corrosion

2. Examine the bonding of the flexible element to its associated metal fixing. 2. Failure of the bonding between flexible element and the metal so that part of unit is likely to become displaced.

3. Check the general condition of the unit for damage and deterioration of the flexible element. 3. The unit is so damaged or deteriorated that it is no longer capable of carrying out its proper function.

G. Suspension Arms and Linkages, Sub-Frames, etc

Carrying out this inspection

The inspections in sub-section 2.4G can be carried out in conjunction with the inspections in

. Sub-section 2.5 (Front Suspension, Front Wheel Bearings and Drive Shafts), and

. Sub-section 2.6 (Rear Suspension and Rear Wheel Bearings)

1. Check the following members for cracks, fractures, distortion, corrosion, wear and insecurity

a. suspension arms (wishbone etc) 1. A member

. cracked, fractured or insecure

. severely distorted

. seriously weakened by corrosion or wear

. which is adjustable, and is loose in its adjustment threads, or its locking device insecure or missing

. inadequately repaired (See Appendix C)

. seriously weakened as a result of deliberate modification

b. trailing arms

c. radius arms

d. tie bars/rods

e. panhard rods

f. torque/reaction arms

g. anti-roll bars and linkages

h. MacPherson strut casings

i. sub-frames

Note: Some vehicles use comparatively thin gauge steel pressings for some highly stressed suspension components.

Many of these parts have hollow ‘box sections’ or upfacing areas where road dirt impregnated with salt or other chemicals collects and causes serious but often very local corrosion.

Special attention should be paid to these components. See Appendix C for further guidance

2. Check that an anti-roll bar is fitted to an axle on which it is standard. 2. An anti-roll bar not fitted to an axle on which it is standard

3. Check the security and the amount of play at pins/bushe/mountings and ball joints locating

a. upper and lower suspension arms/wishbones 3.

. Excessive play in a pin/bush or pin/ bearing for example more than

- 2mm for a 12mm diameter pin

- 3mm for a 25mm diameter pin

- 10% of the diameter for pins over 25mm diameter

. Excessive play in a ball joint

. Deterioration of a rubber bush resulting in excessive movement

. deterioration of the bonding of a rubber bush/mounting resulting in excessive movement.

Note: Some rubber/synthetic bushes are designed to provide a comparatively high degree of compliance. They are therefore likely to show some movement.

Such components should normally only be rejected when serious deterioration of the bonding or flexible material is evident.

 

 

 

b. trailing arms

c. radius arms

d. tie-bars/rods

e. panhard rods

f. torque/reaction arms

g. anti-roll bars and linkages

h. sub-frames

4. Check that

a. linkage pins are correctly positioned and secure 4. A suspension link locating pin

a. incorrectly positioned or insecure

b. retaining and any locking devices are fitted and secure b. retaining or locking device missing or not properly locked

5. Check the following suspension attachment brackets for security, cracks, fractures, excessive damage or corrosion and tightness of nuts, bolts etc.

a. suspension arms (wishbone etc) 5. A suspension attachment linkage bracket

. insecure

. cracked or fractured

. damaged, corroded or worn to such an extent that its strength is seriously reduced

. nut, bolt or rivet missing, or weld cracked

. inadequately repaired (See Appendix C)

. seriously weakened as a result of deliberate modification

b. trailing arms

c. radius arms

d. tie bars/rods

e. panhard rods

f. torque/reaction arms

g. anti-roll bars

6. On vehicles which have a drive shaft which form part of the suspension, check

a. the shaft for distortion, damage and serious corrosion 6.

a. a distorted, damaged or excessively corroded drive shaft

b. the universal joint bearings for excessive play b. excessive play in a universal joint bearing

c. the flanges and bolts for security c. . an incorrectly seated universal joint flange

. a loose or inadequately locked flange bolt

Issue Date: June 2002

[bmxdave]

Its ok now, we sorted them out. Someones got a spare pair so well use them.

 

I spoke to a well experienced (20 years+) VOSA man today, and he says that theyre fine, as because when it was jacked up, and then let back on the wheels nothing come out of place at all.

 

He was just a picky bastard.

[emu]

But hey, apparently the guy less qualified then me muct know because he has a VOSA badge.

 

He is also working to the same set of rules and criteria as every other MOT tester in the country.

 

If you springs have been cut then they are incomplete. Which is a 'Reason for rejection'.

 

And as lowering springs are only a tenner each, why waste your money on hacksaw blades!?

[bmxdave]

They where cut when we got it, and theyve been on there a long time. He never mentioned one bit about them not being complete.