Front Coil Spring

[dougie212]

Having endured a nerve racking trip home today with a clanging noise under the car every so often I have just discovered that the offside front coil spring has broken.

Could anyone tell me if its a DIY fix or am I better taking it in to be done?

I am capable round the car having done brakes and callipers and things in the past but have always avoided springs as the idea of compressing the in un-nerves me.

Are there any good videos or how to guides that anyone knows of.. Ive had a hunt round and can't find too many.

Thanks
Dougie

[Rhinoman]

Its fairly simple to change. Remove the front hub and the circlip behind it; disconnect the rollbar and the front caliper; get a jack under the wishbone and take the tension off the bolts then undo the bolts holding the strut on and lower the wishbone down; then remove spring - you may need to use a crowbar to just gently lever it off the seat, with the wishbone dropped it will have very little compression on it. Reassemble.
There may be a few other steps, its a while since I've done one. Don't bother with spring compressors they are a lot more hassle.

[r-nottz]

Its easy on Vitaras mate, shocks and springs are separate, when I done mine I undone the bolts on the bottom of the strut were it connects to the wishbone and removed the arb bolt, then dropped the wishbone down.

Don't hold me to it as it was a couple of years ago but as far as I remember that was what i done.

[dougie212]

awesome... thank you as always !!!

where do you think is the best place to grab one from? Ive checked out eBay and there are an abundance of options...

[r-nottz]

Depends to be honest mate.

If your looking for a second hand one go on ebay or.whatever and try and get one off a Vitara nearish the same age as yours, obviously springs sag over the years so something off one nearer the age of yours will be a better option.

Or if your looking to go new and decent motor factors will sale them, gsf, euro car parts etc but if your going new it might make sense to get one for the other side too just to keep everything equal.

To most people it don't matter but its preference of the owner I guess!

[dougie212]

I'll check out the suppliers then, thanks.

To be honest I'm a do things in pairs owner... The front caliber seized so I changed both sides just in case... So I shall look to get a pair of springs I think.

[dougie212]

I'm going to take on the springs soon I think....

Just a bit apprehensive of removing the hub... Is it as straight forward as removing the cover and the nut at the centre..?

I've looked and was wondering if I could get away with removing the anti roll bar bolts, and undoing the wishbone by the 2 inner bolts...?

Does anyone have a workshop manual or a link to one that may help me with the process a bit. I know I could take it in but I'm really enjoying working and learning about the GV.

Thanks

Dougie..

[Darrell]

http://www.mediafire.com/view/523q73r3b ... ension.pdf

[dougie212]

Thank you..!!!! Looks like I'm going to need a puller tool so may be easier just to take it somewhere..??

[Darrell]

Think you only need a joint splitter and they aren't very dear. That's what they are calling a puller.
About a tenner for one like I use..