My Mercedes-Benz E-Class's coil spring broke recently - does this happen often? | Ask Honest John

My Mercedes-Benz E-Class's coil spring broke recently - does this happen often?

I have a Mercedes-Benz E-Class 280 CDI, registered 30 Sept 1995 with a mileage of 48,000. It's been serviced by Mercedes-Benz at all times. The car had not moved for 24 hours and was sitting on the drive when there was a loud bang. The front offside coil spring had broken. I was on holiday in France at the time and a local dealer replaced the spring for me. Mercedes-Benz contributed 74 euros to the dealer for the repair, which he passed on to me. I am very disturbed that this should have happened. Had I been moving at speed I shudder to think of the consequences. The dealer said he had never come across such a fault. What would you advise I do next?

Asked on 19 June 2010 by KS

Answered by Honest John

It's extremely common on all European makes and models of car. Partly the way the spring is wound, partly the way it is finished at the ends, partly the way it is seated and partly the way it is coated. Then there's the problem of speed humps and speed cushions.

Tags: suspension coil springs

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