Spring into action!

steve2006 · April 2, 2017

Having delayed the project series IV LS400 cam belt job due to lawn mowing operations last weekend (not my idea but coerced.....no bullied) I decided to make a start today but then thought I would put my spare alloys on first.

A relatively simple job involving trolley jack and some basic tools.

Rears went great but I had noticed that the front end looked a bit low, so low in fact that said trolley jack wouldn't even go under the car. Undeterred I started off with the scissor jack and then got the trolley under for safety plus an axle stand.

Once the wheel was off it became immediately obvious why the car was so low....the spring was in 3 pieces but more was to follow the other side was in 2 pieces.

So yet again no cam belt, 2 new springs on order along with a spring compressor tool to do the job and the car now sitting on axle stands both sides.

The joys of motoring or in my case going nowhere fast.

Verbout · April 2, 2017

Maybe next weekend.

lockeyboy · April 2, 2017

Steve I'll be over near Ashbourne with a spring compressor if you want to borrow one this week instead?

steve2006 · April 2, 2017

13 minutes ago, lockeyboy said:

Steve I'll be over near Ashbourne with a spring compressor if you want to borrow one this week instead?

Thanks for the kind offer Mark, I have already ordered a set off fleabay which I hope are up to the job.

lockeyboy · April 2, 2017

No problem, as you are aware just be very very careful with the Springs when compressed

Bluesman · April 2, 2017

Wow! I am amazed you never felt it through the steering or hear ot when it broke. Probobly one of our enourmous potholes.

steve2006 · April 3, 2017

Mark I will certainly heed your advice when compressing the springs and make sure the possible trajectory is not towards me, even removing the other one I was very careful not to mishandle it during removal just in case the broken bit took off or moved.

Mike not sure if this was already done when I received the car as the last owner delivered it, I didn't notice any problems on a test drive but looking at the breaks they are very rusty so appear long term.

Bluesman · April 3, 2017

Only just seen the title "Spring into action" like what you did there.

Newbie1 · April 3, 2017

Whereabouts are you getting replacement springs from, Steve?

goldtop · April 3, 2017

16 hours ago, Bluesman said:

Wow! I am amazed you never felt it through the steering or hear ot when it broke. Probobly one of our enourmous potholes.

This might be like the Mercedes W124 thing: had a few and they are famous for it (not quite as famous as they are for the rusty front wings). The springs can break but leave enough compliance in the chassis that it feels OK. You may not know until MOT time rolls round.

Verbout · April 3, 2017

We did the sons Vectra last year, three broken springs, replaced all four obviously.

I bought a cheap, £15, eBay set of spring compressors, they only just did the job, the threaded bar was wearing as we tightened up the spring.

I've done a few over the years, they still scare me to death, it's like handling nitroglycerin.

A bloke on another forum told a tale of his mate being a bit "matter of fact" replacing a spring. You know what happened next, one of the spring compressors went through his garage door.

Respect the spring.

Bluesman · April 3, 2017

2 hours ago, goldtop said:

This might be like the Mercedes W124 thing: had a few and they are famous for it (not quite as famous as they are for the rusty front wings). The springs can break but leave enough compliance in the chassis that it feels OK. You may not know until MOT time rolls round.

Bang on Barry. O/S went but I had both replaced just in case amd as time went on I replaced most other things that cost a few hundred £ a time at my local garage. Would never ever have another Mercedes absolute rubbish now. Mind you if push came to shove and a decent W126 280SE+ etc I could be tempted but I think they were the last of the reliable Mercs.

Keith Bowler · April 3, 2017

Just out of interest chaps, apart from riding low are there any other obvious signs of spring failure.

The reason I ask is that i have a knock from my nearside front which is not ball joint or bearing related and goes after a few miles of driving.

I reckon it may be shock absorber or spring related, anyone had a similar issue?

plastic orange · April 5, 2017

On 4/3/2017 at 9:40 PM, Keith Bowler said:

Just out of interest chaps, apart from riding low are there any other obvious signs of spring failure.

The reason I ask is that i have a knock from my nearside front which is not ball joint or bearing related and goes after a few miles of driving.

I reckon it may be shock absorber or spring related, anyone had a similar issue?

Mine has had a knock for some time now and I've ruled out the obvious. A very detailed inspection discovered a crack in the bottom of the spring on the N/S, so this is what's causing the noise. As my car is a DHP model, I'm living with it as I can't source replacements. MOT wouldn't pick it up as it's very hard to see, and car hasn't dropped as piece is still in place.

Pete

Keith Bowler · April 5, 2017

3 hours ago, plastic orange said:

Mine has had a knock for some time now and I've ruled out the obvious. A very detailed inspection discovered a crack in the bottom of the spring on the N/S, so this is what's causing the noise. As my car is a DHP model, I'm living with it as I can't source replacements. MOT wouldn't pick it up as it's very hard to see, and car hasn't dropped as piece is still in place.

Pete

Interesting, mine is a 1999 DHP spec car too, problem only ever there on start up and has never been flagged at MOT time too.

runsgrateasanut · April 5, 2017

On 03/04/2017 at 2:31 PM, goldtop said:

This might be like the Mercedes W124 thing: had a few and they are famous for it (not quite as famous as they are for the rusty front wings). The springs can break but leave enough compliance in the chassis that it feels OK. You may not know until MOT time rolls round.

Had a rear spring go on a W140 Merc but it was just a small piece off the bottom, less than a ring. Not noticeable accept by MOT inspection.

My mechanic wouldn't touch it. It must have been about 50% thicker than the two replacement KYB springs I've got in the garage for the Lexus. Surprising this but in so many ways the LS and the W140 were very different beasts.

Those rear Merc springs have a bend in them when fitted - you have to have exactly the right compression instrument for such purpose or risk death. Ratcheting it up would likely give me heart failure!

cornershop · April 5, 2017

Just out of interest chaps, apart from riding low are there any other obvious signs of spring failure.

The reason I ask is that i have a knock from my nearside front which is not ball joint or bearing related and goes after a few miles of driving.

I reckon it may be shock absorber or spring related, anyone had a similar issue?

Mine has had a knock for some time now and I've ruled out the obvious. A very detailed inspection discovered a crack in the bottom of the spring on the N/S, so this is what's causing the noise. As my car is a DHP model, I'm living with it as I can't source replacements. MOT wouldn't pick it up as it's very hard to see, and car hasn't dropped as piece is still in place.

Pete

may want to check if these are available in the U.K. I checked with h and r - said they are Made in Germany, but aren't available in EU. Only -25mm so should retain good levels of comfort

http://www.redline360.com/hr-sport-lowering-springs-lexus-ls400-52426

steve2006 · April 8, 2017

Infamy,infamy,they've all got it in for me!

The "Heavy Duty Spring Compressors" didn't fit the springs as they are "larger than normal springs" so I have sent them back at a cost of £3.00.

The next day dispatch for the springs didn't happen and according to tracking are due to arrive today but my local garage is now closed so cannot get them fitted until at least Monday.

The timing belt is still in the box in the boot.

As for my other LS400 it's service time so ordered all I need without stepping out of the door including a set of 8 NGK iridium for £60.00 delivered to my door.

The grass has grown again.....lawnmower time me thinks!

Spacewagon52 · April 8, 2017

25 minutes ago, steve2006 said:

The grass has grown again.....lawnmower time me thinks!

I am beginning to see the benefits of Astroturf!

steve2006 · April 9, 2017

Well the springs arrived late afternoon, I don't want to spend a fortune on this car but there again don't want some chinese counterfeit product so I was pleasantly surprised to find the springs are German manufactured and look good quality.

I had never heard of the make but it does exist and for £60.00 the pair delivered I'm happy.