Vauxhall Astra G Petrol (1998 - 2004) - 00 1.8 front spring replaced, but won't pass MOT

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Mon 9 Nov 2009 18:25
00 1.8 front spring replaced, but won't pass MOT - Kizzy
Hi
My astra has at sometime in the past had a new front spring put on but the person who did it did not line it up correctly now it wont pass a mot.
Does anyone know how difficult it is to sort out?
Would I be able to do it or do I need to take it to a mechanic?
Thanks very much for any answers I may receive

{Header given a more meaningful title that gives people a brief clue as to the question being asked}

Edited by Dynamic Dave on 09/11/2009 at 19:12

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Mon 9 Nov 2009 20:11
00 1.8 front spring replaced, but won't pass MOT - Rattle
Are you sure this is not just a tracking issue? I can't see how you can align a coil spring up wrong it just sits in a cup. Its either in correctly or in very loose in which case your front suspension will be clonking like mad. I am not a mechanic so probably have missed something here but to me it sounds like you just need tracking and alignment done.

That said I am not sure if tracking would fail the MOT? What is the exact MOT failure notice? That will help the experts on here reply.

Edited by Rattle on 09/11/2009 at 20:12

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Mon 9 Nov 2009 20:34
00 1.8 front spring replaced, but won't pass MOT - piston power
On the bottom of the strut is a raised stop were the spring stops against if it is not touching this then yes it can fail, it would not be fitted correct.

A simple mistake by somebody who may have never done one before is this the problem?
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Mon 9 Nov 2009 20:37
00 1.8 front spring replaced, but won't pass MOT - Rattle
I know exactly where you mean but my old springs had the same problem because they had partialy snapped they made a racket. I don't know why this problem has only shown up at the MOT unless it the OP has always been aware of it.

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Mon 9 Nov 2009 23:19
00 1.8 front spring replaced, but won't pass MOT - DP
Difficult to see how you can put this right without removing the strut, compressing the spring with a set of spring compressors, and rotating/reseating it correctly. You should be able to do this without dismantling the strut, assuming it's just a question of rotating the compressed spring until the end sits correctly in the cup, and then carefully decompressing it and ensuring it seats correctly.

Compressing coil springs is not for the faint hearted, plus you need to buy/hire/borrow a decent set of spring compressors. If you haven't done something like this before, it might be worth getting a quote from a reputable indie to sort it. I can't see it being big bucks.
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Tue 10 Nov 2009 08:20
00 1.8 front spring replaced, but won't pass MOT - Kizzy
Thank you foryour help
Yes someone must replaced the spring before I got the car as I did not know until it went for its mot.
Think I may have to get someone else to do it as I have not done a spring before and it looks a bit complicated!!
Many thanks
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