So we have some spring / summer like weather here in NJ and was in the process of swapping out the stock wheels (which I put on for the winter months) for my Champions. Low and behold I notice this on the driver’s front shock. Broken coil on the H&R spring! I don’t even want to think how long this might of been broken for? This possibly could of happen on my next Sunday cruise while driving. I don’t dive the car often, mostly weekends or once / twice during the week. Looks like the tubing around the coils could be a trap for water, etc causing long term deterioration of the coils.
So, the nice weather is upon us, lets do some preventive inspections of our cars. Lets have a great cursing season. So for now, stock wheels back on the car, tools away and time to save up on the coil overs I’ve been planning to get!

 

Yeah, I'd probably be cursing too...LOL

 

You got that right! Man, sometime my folks might be right, "why you spend money on your car, save your money, just drive and change the oil" Ha!

I guess that why most of us like tinkering around cars, the passion and F'n around. Enjoy your Sunday cruise ;-)

 

Looks like that has been rusted for a long time. Can't really blame the spring for that. Blame the salt water. Good excuse to get coil overs though. I doubt the coating holds water. I thought it would more protect the spring from the elements, not cause issues. Bummer.

 

Did you notice the corner of the car sagging when you last parked it?

 

Get me the part number on those springs. I have some laying around.

 

Not really, can't see the car's driver's side profile from a decent distance to notice. When out to check measurement height and compared it to the other side and there is only 1/4" difference in height.

 

I'll bet H&R will replace it, what's their warranty like? Can't see a snapping spring being good for their image, willing to bet they may look after u.

 

King James, these came on the car when I purchased it almost 5 years ago. So, checking records these were installed by Champion Motorsports back in '05. They are 9 years old with about 30k miles on them now. I still don't think they should of cracked like that. Maybe I'll contact them and send it to them so they can inspect. I really never like their suspension aside from their swaybars. (Prefer Eibach over H&R) Either way, time to save up for some coilovers!

 

Eibach springs will live longer than you. Solid.

 

Yikes! I'd like to know what H&R says... keep us posted.

 

Yeah i'm very interested to see what they say. Great opportunity to see how much they stand behind their product. I have the h&r springs on my car right now and am contemplating their coilover setup soon.

 

I'd bet dollars to donuts that spring was badly damaged prior to or during the install. It could have had something very heavy dropped on it, or it could have been driven over in the shop, or wedged by a forklift between/against something, or somebody used a spring compressor incorrectly, or used big pliers to wedge it into place when it wouldn't fit, or who knows what? The rust/damage is in one very specific spot which points to the coating on the spring being torn off by something and the metal underneath being badly bent/scored/scratched/damaged in some way. Any manufacturer that had a spring go through whatever happened to that one would have their spring fail too. It has nothing to do with H&R. Whoever damaged it probably hid it in order to avoid getting in trouble.

 

This is not the first time an H&R spring has failed this way FYI. They make good products, but nothing invincible. Where it broke is where they install this piece of clear tube that serves to protect the coils that are close to each other from banging each other and knocking off the protective coating. I bet you will find a hole worn or torn in that tube.

 

I've seen all sorts of brands of springs snap, including a set of Eibach's last week. Not a H&R issue in the slightest, spot rusting does that...those 'protective' sleeves seems to be a common source of problems..