Thanks in advance for reading and any comments you make!
I have been having a few handling issues with my Mk1. Turns out i have a snapped rear spring (and if i am honest the bushes look pretty tired!)
Can anyone advise on the following:
How much work is involved in changing a rear spring, in comparison to say…fitting coilovers and replacing the rear bushes?
The car is still on original bushes and shocks after 128000 miles, so i would imagine that if they were to be replaced it would make a significant improvement from how it was handling before the snapped spring.
Obviously replacing the spring is essential, but what would you guys suggest i do along side (if anything)?
I do not have a bottomless pit of money as i have just bought all the parts for a cambelt service, and i am saving hard to get the hurrendous lacquer peel problem sorted (half way down the passenger door now, plus the front wing and boot is going! makes me cry!)
I am a pretty basic mechanic so it would have to go into the garage for any suspension work (i am having a go at the cambelt myself). Would rather get things sorted in 1 go, then get it set up properly and not have to worry again.
bushes on the other hand can be a great pain to do with getting the old ones out then pressing the new ones in. unless u have acess to a press i wouldnt attempt the bushes.
I also broke a rear spring about a month ago and have similar mileage on my 5.
I had all four springs and shocks replaced. Cost me £100 for a secondhand Koni suspension kit and a mate of mine charged me £10 per corner to fit them.
I weighed up the cost of perhaps changing one spring (about £20 for a new spring), and I would have always done them in pairs anyway, so for me I thought this was the best option at the time.
I hate to say it, But I feel that a friend that charges isn’t really a friend.
If a mate needs a hand, or someone to do something that they haven’t got the skill to attempt themselves, I’ll do it for them if I’ve got the time.
It’s a two way street though. If I need a hand with something then any of my friends who’ve got the time and ability would help, And I don’t think any would even think to charge me.
I’m not saying anyone should be out of pocket for helping, But I’m all against friends trying to make a profit out of each other.
I find that “The favour’s system” works pretty well for me… And till the government tries to tax the good will of mates helping each other out I can’t see this changing for us.
£10 a corner???, that isnt charging labour, that is a true pal, Pierre is my mate too but if I was changing his suspension over for him it would be a lot more than that!!!
Exactly! It’s his livelyhood. You expect to pay for expert help don’t you, unless you can offer something tangible in return. Whilst I’m mechanically minded, and will have a go, he has the tools and the experience! Whilst I’m there, I’m learning things as well. That’s worth the cost on its own. It’s still a favours system. He could charge me a lot more as there’s always someone who wants his time!
When me and a mate change the coil-overs on my MX5 all he would accept was a bag of chips for lunch.
Likewise when I resprayed his Land Rover a year later all I took was an ice-cream.
A mate lent me his four post ramp equiped workshop for the weekend, I helped him move house, he welded up my roll cage, I fitted his new engine.
Favours tend to equal out. The friends who want money for helping you tend to be the ones who expect you to help them for free, and they tend not to remain friends.
Although I’m sure it’s different if you run a garage and see everyone as a customer.
