Replacing rear coil springs on 99 Bora

**leblebia** · 09-06-2011,07:43 PM

Hi all, wander if someone can help/info

Other day I heard a bang when rear came down the bump, ever since I hear clucking noise in the back when going over bumps or holes. Been told spring must have broke on one side, however when I press rear end down, it comes back up, no bounce.

Did anyone replace rear spring on Bora? How difficult is it, do wheels need to be off to change springs?

thanks in advance!

**STEWY L** · 09-06-2011,08:05 PM

you need not remove the wheel, it's a 15min job,---if you have a hoist!
basically, remove the lower mounting bolt from the shocker,drop the bottom arm down,pull out the broken spring,slip the new one in,jack the bottom arm up to refit the mounting bolt to the shocker.
you may be able do it "on the drive" if you take the wheel off, and can get it up high enough to allow space to feed the new spring in, but you do need a lot of hieght, and it MUST BE SECURE WHEN YOU ARE UNDER IT!
regards,
stewy.

**leblebia** · 09-06-2011,08:16 PM

wow thanks Stewy! been quoted 250 (inc VAT) suply & fit both rear springs, as recommended by mechanic. Is that too much for 30 min job? note that I live in south east rip off area

**STEWY L** · 09-06-2011,08:35 PM

Originally Posted by leblebia

wow thanks Stewy! been quoted 250 (inc VAT) suply & fit both rear springs, as recommended by mechanic. Is that too much for 30 min job? note that I live in south east rip off area

i had one fitted, and stood and watched them do it, last year. we were away from home so had no option ! the spring was somewhere in the region of £50-£60,( can't find the reciept off hand),
but they displayed a huge notice--" MINIMUM 1HRS LABOUR " --that was £59--i hasten to add, a reasonable labour rate, but would have been better if their accountant could have worked in halves !!!
i only changed the one side, the car sits perfectly level and no problems at all with any handling issues.
regards,
stewy.

**STEWY L** · 09-06-2011,08:38 PM

P.S.
you can't blame the garage for 20% vat !!!
stewy.

**leblebia** · 10-06-2011,07:27 AM

seems like quote is reasonable re. parts and VAT except that it includes min 2 hrs labour if my math is good, guess the saving is in finding someone who charges less per hour or does half hour jobs.

At least I can look behind the wheel and see if spring is realy broken

Thanks Stewy for alll the info&advice !

**STEWY L** · 11-06-2011,01:37 PM

they have no reason to lie to you ! the spring will have snapped !
in my instances,( i've had two broken springs, the first was the front left,i knew nothing about it until m o t lad rang me!--
it had snapped at the very bottom of spring, not easily visible to the "untrained" eye, the second one,the rear, i knew about as soon as it happened! road hump, just tickling over it, but i think age had caught up with it !!
it too was near the bottom.
each time i only changed the broken spring, and their was no "badgering" from either garage to change both.
the car sits perfectly square, with no handling issues.
personnally. i'd only change the broken side.
if it was a shock absorber, the bit that controls the " bounce" as you so aptly put it, then yes, i would change both, but as it stands, i would only change the one side and half the expence.
the other three springs could either go at any time,or out live the new one !!!
hope you get sorted "cheaply" !
take care,
regards,
stewy.

**mikeybutch** · 14-06-2011,08:37 PM

There is still some clonking on our 1999 V5 after changing springs and shocks so I am told that its the axle bushes next .Is this difficult?

**STEWY L** · 16-06-2011,05:44 PM

sorry, i can't help you with that , i've never changed any bushes on my bora.
i assume you had broken springs and thought that it was to blame for the knocking ?
surely springs would not have been changed if not goosed,
regards,
stewy.

**mikeybutch** · 17-06-2011,07:40 PM

Thanks Stewy.The garage that does our MOTs and repairs said they were worn and its possible that the rubber has gone leaving the metal core to clang against the outside.New pair were only£12 but you need a tool to push out the old ones so they will do this next week and we will see if it works .Its done165k so you would expect some wear but its still worth maintaining.The wifes car and she likes the heated Recaro seats and its got factory satnav.The old springs were badly corroded and must have lost something cos its better with the new ones