Rear suspension Spring replacement

Can someone advise me on replacing rear spring.

My daughters C3 had one break one last week going over a pothole. Do I need to remove rear damper or can I use spring clamps only.

Thanks

Ferrari1962 wrote:Can someone advise me on replacing rear spring.

My daughters C3 had one break one last week going over a pothole. Do I need to remove rear damper or can I use spring clamps only.

Thanks

Hi Ferrari1962

Rears are unusual to break, to do that sort of damage, expect more damage than just a spring. I suggest you take it to a garage to have it lifted and inspected properly.

You will need at least 2 springs, one for each side (look here, enter reg for parts).

went for MOT this morning Failed I have ordered a new spring will arrive tomorrow the MOT garage didn't say anything about other damage so I will fit 1 spring,I know you said to fit 2 springs but I don't know why

cheers

allan

allanmc wrote: ↑Tue Jan 08, 2019 12:16 pm went for MOT this morning Failed I have ordered a new spring will arrive tomorrow the MOT garage didn't say anything about other damage so I will fit 1 spring,I know you said to fit 2 springs but I don't know why

cheers

allan

You must fit springs in pairs. This is to ensure the rear suspension characteristics are balanced across the axle.

New springs are different than the ones from the factory, for cost or design improvements, different manufacturers etc.

You won't be able to match a factory spring to a new off the shelf spring, even if they look the same, the springs wear over the miles.

You don't need to do too much work to change the rear springs so it's not even much of a job to do both while its up in the air.

C3CAR wrote: ↑Tue Jan 08, 2019 12:43 pm went for MOT this morning Failed I have ordered a new spring will arrive tomorrow

Rears are uncommon to fail, can you take a picture of the failed rear spring in situ, while it's on the ramp? It would be good to add it to the forum.

I took a couple of photos of the rear spring on my c3 but am having difficulty getting them on my PC but I will send them soon in the meantime I have undone the bottom bolt but can't get it out can you tell me if it's a bolt or a set pin
cheers
allan

With the rear trailing arm unsupported, it is possible to compress the spring enough to get it out without removing the bolt.

Well. That is how I managed to do it without removing the damper bolt because it was too difficult to remove.

allanmc wrote: ↑Wed Jan 09, 2019 11:41 am can you tell me if it's a bolt or a set pin

Hi Allan

Its a bolt

Thanks for that I thought it had to be a bolt,anyway without spring compressors I had to get the bolt out,my son came down this morning and with the help of a 14lb hammer and a suitable drift the bolt was out it was rusted in so cleaned everything and all back together went to the MOT station he amended the paperwork,job done

thanks
Allan