Front coil spring Mod'

old_cruiser

I think this car of mine is falling apart (2003 Vectra C) LOL; seriously though, I get this sort of crunching noise when turning at very low speeds e.g when turning out of my driveway, thinking more about it, it sounds similar to when you drive over a piece of glass and you get that crunching noise, I did hear that there was an issue with the front coil springs moving in the lower seating on the strut and VX introduced a Mod' which was to fit plastic sleeves to the lower turn of the spring, however just been out to look at mine and they have already been fitted, so I'm suspecting it's the plastic sleeves making the noise? Has anyone else that has had this Mod' done , still experiencing the same problem?
Cheers Pete

JohnnyN

Are you sure its not the CV joint gone?

old_cruiser

I don't think so, as it doesn't do it all of the time and sometimes hear it when reversing without turning the wheel and normal driving is all ok and no noise.
Cheers Pete

JohnnyN

CV joints make a cracking sound when turning at low speed but not in a straight line. Not sure about reversing. I'm sure someone else will be along in a minute.

;-)

old_cruiser

Just read a field remedy regarding these plastic sleeves and the complaint is apparently ' Temporary cracking noise from front section' and the cause is described as 'Misfit between spring and lower spring seat' and hence fitment of the plastic sleeves.
Cheers Pete

JohnnyN

Ahh haa!! Good find.

thumbup

old_cruiser

yeah, only thing is ,mine already has these sleeves fitted, so previous owner must have complained about the same thing and knowing VX it's a mod' that is also temporary!! and instead of a cracking noise it's now a crunching noise, I don't know, what a state to get into eh!!
Cheers Pete

vocky

mine is doing exactly the same, I will see what they say at the next service as I can't be bothered to book it in :lol:

joey

The factory mod is to fit a sleeve over the lower coil, this in time comes off and you get metal to metal contact mixed in with mud and gravel and you get the noise you`re getting. The best way of getting rid of the noise is to feed some rubber hose over the first coil this is what we do at our dealership without any problems.

old_cruiser

joey said:
The factory mod is to fit a sleeve over the lower coil, this in time comes off and you get metal to metal contact mixed in with mud and gravel and you get the noise you`re getting. The best way of getting rid of the noise is to feed some rubber hose over the first coil this is what we do at our dealership without any problems.

Interesting, thanks for that bit of info' mate.
Cheers Pete