Front suspension spring catching on body

[munkey]

Hi all,

I've got a (Mk1? 2006) van and i've noticed the front NS suspension spring assembly is binding so hard on the inner wheel arch its going to eat its way through the metal soon - not to mention left turns are harder to take and it makes a horrible grinding clunking sound.

I jacked up the body and gave the spring a good hard yank outwards and it did shift about 10mm which stopped it binding, 20 mins later down the road it shifted back.

The only thing I can think is the spring is non original and has a larger diameter... Before I go out and buy a whole new spring/shock assembly (what are those called?!) has anyone got any suggestions?

Cheers

[geoff]

Oh dear not good is it.

I'd advise putting the car in a garage for a check up on safety critical systems ie brakes steering suspension just in case there are other issues you haven't found yet.

This will give you a clearer idea of what is needed to make repairs.

[billskipton]

Sounds like the spring could have broken unless it was fitted recently and it isn't lying correctly. Whatever, I should get someone with a bit of knowledge to take a look, if the spring displaces and spears the tyre you could have a lot of trouble.

[oilyrag]

Had a similar problem after a new strut was fitted . It was the upper end of the coil not fitted into the upper mount correctly (the end wasn't fully up against the 'stop'). With the the car jacked up it is possible the knock the spring around
until it settles where it should be. If it won't go then spring compressors will allow it to move easily.

[munkey]

Had a similar problem after a new strut was fitted . It was the upper end of the coil not fitted into the upper mount correctly (the end wasn't fully up against the 'stop'). With the the car jacked up it is possible the knock the spring around
until it settles where it should be. If it won't go then spring compressors will allow it to move easily.

So it looks like the spring is fully seated in its top and bottom cradles, however the top cradle mount is free to move about 10mm in all directions.... by the looks of it when I steer it rotates the damper and spring assembly, could it be that the bushing (I assume there is some sort of rubber-looking bushing on top) is shot allowing this lateral movement? Next question is what on earth are they called so I know what to search for, assuming it is that.

[Lighty]

Had a similar problem after a new strut was fitted . It was the upper end of the coil not fitted into the upper mount correctly (the end wasn't fully up against the 'stop'). With the the car jacked up it is possible the knock the spring around
until it settles where it should be. If it won't go then spring compressors will allow it to move easily.

So it looks like the spring is fully seated in its top and bottom cradles, however the top cradle mount is free to move about 10mm in all directions.... by the looks of it when I steer it rotates the damper and spring assembly, could it be that the bushing (I assume there is some sort of rubber-looking bushing on top) is shot allowing this lateral movement? Next question is what on earth are they called so I know what to search for, assuming it is that.


we call it a suspension strut top mount .
here is one on eBay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291242252969 

[munkey]

Thanks! Ill grab myself a couple and try and fit them next weekend - I noticed they don't come with the top cup that the spring sits in, are they supplied with the springs or shocks?

[cancunia]

The strut mount that Lighty linked above is a separate item from the spring & shock, there's also a strut bearing that is sold separately or together with the mount. The link below shows a diagram with the various bits. There was a better picture on ebay but I can't find it at the moment.

http://www.neomoto1.webd.pl/AUCTION%20PH...20shop.jpg

Based on my own recent experience, unless you have a good set of spring compressors you'll need to take the van to somewhere that does spring / shock replacements as the Berlingo springs are a bit bigger than most. As it's on the passenger side, you may need to move the ECU out of the way to see the top of the strut. I found that you can do that without disconnecting the ECU plugs, just need to remove the 2 nuts holding it to the wing and it can be moved around.

[munkey]

Solved! Bought some spring compressors and got the bugger out from the lower wishbone, some bonehead had fitted a brand new bearing upside down then proceeded to smother the entire thing in copper grease! flipped it around and cleaned it up now it works perfectly.

On the downside the driveshaft flopped out of its splines and dumped a load of gear oil onto the floor with my back turned. Does anyone know where the damn level plug is on this? I'm not sure how the gearbox/transfer box/differential are all plumbed together - I guess there is one level plug for the lot?

[geoff]

Download the workshop manual from this site ( free ) and it will make life a lot easier for you. ( search )