Broken rear springs.

Artslinger · Dec 21, 2005

A couple of weeks ago when I had my car in for a rear brake job at my local independent shop the mechanic noticed I had a rear coil spring that was broken. I was amazed that a spring would break; in all of my years of driving I've never had one break on me. The tech mentioned that sometimes the coating will become damaged which will cause the spring to rust and eventually snap.

So I make an appointment at my BMW service center, the SA calls and says to his amazement that both rear springs snapped. They overnight a new rear set and replace the springs, at no charge to me.

I ask him what would cause both rear springs to snap, and he jokingly says I must be driving like the "Duke of Hazard" and jumping my car. I had a good laugh at that considering I was happy about not having to pay god knows how much to have the springs replaced. I then ask him seriously what would cause, not one but both coil springs to snap, his answer… I have no idea.

There was no noise from the rear, so I wonder how long I was driving on broken rear coil springs? I did notice an improvement, but not as much as expected in the cars handling after the springs were replaced.

DarkRyan323 · Dec 21, 2005

that happened to me as well. both of my rear springs broke shortly after i got my car over the summer. i heard a noise coming from the back end while driving it home from getting something else fixed. thank god they gave me a small warranty with my car even though it had so many miles, i don't want to know how much it would have costed...but yeah i've never heard of a spring breaking like that let alone both springs breaking. shocks/struts can break and until now i thought i was the only one who'd ever had a spring break...

Fast Bob · Dec 21, 2005

Faulty tempering of the metal....

Regards,
Bob

Artslinger · Dec 21, 2005

I guess it would be a good idea for everyone with a earlier model E46 to take a look at their rear springs for breakage.

Fifty_Cent · Dec 23, 2005

Common problem for E46s and E36;s , and it does not involve only early E46s.

Rear springs have been known to break, but it is not easy to detect. Basically, the only way to detect them is when the car is lifted from the ground.

It is not a worrying thing, but if the car is driven hard, it can cause some sudden erratic behaviour, which may lead to an accident.

It is always advisable with cars like bmws to have regular checks at every oil change, and fast oil changes using the oil draining machine are not advisable, because you dont shift the car up for inspection.

nv · Dec 24, 2005

Artslinger said:
There was no noise from the rear, so I wonder how long I was driving on broken rear coil springs? I did notice an improvement, but not as much as expected in the cars handling after the springs were replaced.

Happened to me as well this summer. Single rear coil spring. Dealer noticed it during an oil change. I never noticed it during the driving.

-nv

aMIC · Jan 21, 2006

Same problem at 47K miles!

Hello !

I have the same problem with my 325 XIT model 2002, that I bought in November 2001. It has 47K miles and I found today that both rear springs are broken!
It is normal that to happen for that car's age? I always use the car in
the city or highways and never off road.

Is the replacement covered by waranty?

The long story:

Today I was installing mud guards for front and rear when I have
noticed that one rear spring is broken. The last ring from the bottom
of that right side spring was broken. Only the contact surface where
that ring would connect with the rest of the spring was rusted, nothing
else on the rear suspension was rusted.
Then I've checked the left side suspension and I found that the spring
on the left side has the same problem. This time the last ring of the
spring was not detached, it was still placed on the rubber support.
I live in New England and I am aware that is more humidity and salt
here on the reads then elsewere, but do you think that's normal for a 4
year old car?

The car made a squeaking noise when I lifted it on the jack, but
otherwise I didn't hear a sound. Are these broken springs a safety
problem?

It seems that namy people had this problem. Does the BMW Germany known about this issue? Do you know if it was any recall from BMW USA for these suspension parts
that I was not informed?

99flhr · Jan 22, 2006

Artslinger said:
The tech mentioned that sometimes the coating will become damaged which will cause the spring to rust and eventually snap.

Ford had a recall for Taurus front coils breaking and they seemed to occur in areas where road salt was in use, so that may be plausible.
(if yours broke they were replaced free, otherwise a containment "shield" was added to prevent tire damage when/if it occured.

MrLapou · Jan 25, 2006

It's certainly a common fault on the Merc A Class. They cost about $40 each and fortunately are an easy 40 min DIY repair....

Perhaps springs designed and made for some german cars in the late 90s were of a poor quality???:dunno:

Artslinger · Jan 25, 2006

aMIC said:
Hello !

I have the same problem with my 325 XIT model 2002, that I bought in November 2001. It has 47K miles and I found today that both rear springs are broken!
It is normal that to happen for that car's age? I always use the car in
the city or highways and never off road.

Is the replacement covered by waranty?

The long story:

Today I was installing mud guards for front and rear when I have
noticed that one rear spring is broken. The last ring from the bottom
of that right side spring was broken. Only the contact surface where
that ring would connect with the rest of the spring was rusted, nothing
else on the rear suspension was rusted.
Then I've checked the left side suspension and I found that the spring
on the left side has the same problem. This time the last ring of the
spring was not detached, it was still placed on the rubber support.
I live in New England and I am aware that is more humidity and salt
here on the reads then elsewere, but do you think that's normal for a 4
year old car?

The car made a squeaking noise when I lifted it on the jack, but
otherwise I didn't hear a sound. Are these broken springs a safety
problem?

It seems that namy people had this problem. Does the BMW Germany known about this issue? Do you know if it was any recall from BMW USA for these suspension parts
that I was not informed?

If you are still under the factory warranty then the replacement of the springs will be covered, and for CPO cars this is a defect and will be covered under the CPO warranty contract.

They shouldn't pop out but I would have them replaced because the handling of the car will be somewhat compromised.

John_Peters · May 9, 2007

If this is true I am furious. The springs broke on my CPO 1 month after I purchased it (they noticed it while performing the Inspection II. I asked them to check on a clicking sound that heard when going over bumps). The car was still under the CPO warranty, but they told me that broken springs was not covered and charged me ~$700 to replace both rear springs.

Do you guys think I can get my money back? BTW this took place in December 2006.

thanks,

John

marvelphx · Jan 25, 2006

I remember reading a TSB regarding broken rear springs in early E46s... check with your dealer.

ilmonster · Apr 12, 2006

Took my 2001 325i with 67k miles in for an oil change, and learned I needed new rear brakes (1st set in 67k miles, not bad), but also was told that a few inches of my left rear spring were broken off. They said to replace it would be approx. $400 (obviously not under warranty anymore), or I could drive it as is and probably never notice a difference (which I haven't to date), so I had them leave it as is.
Never heard of coil springs breaking before...

MrLapou · Sep 1, 2006

My handling probelms are all sorted

after an accurate 4 wheel geometry alignment by a specialist company.
Cost about 25% compared to local stealer KDS.

Tech who did the work, also owns a BMW, said any suspension work should be followed by full 4 wheel geometry check. They charge $45 for the check plus $30 for each adjustment...

WILLIA///M · Sep 1, 2006

Weird that this thread popped up now. I just had the car in for a state inspection and they noticed it had a broken left rear spring. 2 new rears installed under warranty. I hadn't heard of it before either but they said it wasn't uncommon for 3 series.

gigyb · May 9, 2007

I had my rear coil spring broken on (E46 325i 2001
Does anyone know where to get them( only one) and and good DIY site for it?

KrisL · May 9, 2007

I just described how to pull it out yesterday or the day before in another post... doesn't take long. Like rowdy says, do both springs. Make sure you get the spring that corresponds to your options (sport pkg springs are different). Try calling a dealer, they shouldn't be too expensive.

rowdy lee · May 9, 2007

I'am fairly sure...

... that no one here would advise replacing only one spring at a time though it is possible and generally speaking, would never be noticed as a problem.

Springs can take a "set"... that is, they will deform slightly with time and load applied and a new one will undoubtedly differ from an old one somewhat in it's elasticity and response.

It depends on how precise and thorough one wants to be. Possibly, how deep one's pockets are also... though I won't judge.

oakley · May 9, 2007

.....i found out my e36 rears were snapped when i took it for its service.. i also didnt notice any different in the handling so thought i'd get them to check my e46 also....Guess wot..DOH they are snapped as well!! Never rains but it pours........

Tödlich Tedly · Apr 29, 2011

Broken rear springs seems to be a chronic issue with these cars!

I bought my 2003 325xi in October 2009, from a Toyota dealer's used car lot in Michigan. Everything checked out fine by an independent inspector. Then a week later the brake wear light came on. I took it to a BMW dealership and found out the brakes were fine, but when the Toyota guy had put new ones on, they didn't put the sensor back in the right place. No big deal, and no charge. And oh by the way both rear springs are broken! I took it back to the dealer I bought it from, we haggled for a few days and then he replaced the springs at no charge. Fine. Fast forward to April 2011, and I take it in for a regular service by an authorized center in Rhode Island, and they tell me the springs are broken! The same place did the state inspection for me 5 months ago when I moved here and they weren't broken then.

Broken rear springs are not unheard of but they are not a regular maintenance item, and certainly not something that should happen twice in less than two years. What gives? What is it about this car or the springs it uses that causes this?

wilreyca · May 2, 2011

Pothholes will do it. Also, when I replaced mine, I was asked for the VIN number to make sure the springs were the right ones based on the package of the car. That since I wanted to keep the car OEM and did not want to drop the car. Not sure if a Toyora dealer would knowt that...

alpinweiss · May 3, 2011

Broken rear springs on the E46 are very rare here in the desert southwest, but very common in the New England area.

It may be a problem related to road salt and corrosion. But I don't think anyone has a definitive explanation.

:drive:

ashulman61 · Jun 11, 2011

I just had a similar problem at 7Y and 105K miles. Both the service mgr at the independent repair shop where I normally take my car and his counterpart at the local BMW dealer said that broken springs is a recurring problem with early to mid-2000 3 Series cars. So, I called BMW USA after reading this thread, but was told that broken springs this is neither a recall item or covered under any warranty.

Not being a DIY car repair guy, I coughed up the $$$ to have both rear springs replaced. I did have them set aside the old springs and one of them was indeed snapped near the top.

KrisL · Jun 11, 2011

ashulman61 said:
Not being a DIY car repair guy, I coughed up the $$$ to have both rear springs replaced.

Bummer. It's a 10 minute job.

dak1217 · Jun 21, 2011

Broken rear springs

I have the same thing on my 2005 X3. I took it to the dealer and sure enough they found both rear springs broken during an inspection. $688 to repair, although I have not done it yet. After reading these posts, I'm doing research to try and find a replacement spring that's more durable.

I was told it was a 3 hour job.

I don't "off road". I live in a suburban area and the car is garage kept.

mlukas161 · Jun 21, 2011

dak1217 said:
I have the same thing on my 2005 X3. I took it to the dealer and sure enough they found both rear springs broken during an inspection. $688 to repair, although I have not done it yet. After reading these posts, I'm doing research to try and find a replacement spring that's more durable.

I was told it was a 3 hour job.

I don't "off road". I live in a suburban area and the car is garage kept.

Eibach Prokit makes a set for the X-3. I have a set that I'm installing withing the next few weeks. However, you must change all 4 as they will lower the X3 a little over an inch.
I'm also doing the Shock/Struts at the same time.

A member named Chagrin has done this swap out on his X3.
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=271239&highlight=spring

Only swapping the rear springs with factory replacements is less than an hour labor IMO.

dak1217 · Jun 29, 2011

Thanks for the info. Fortunately, the dealer called BMW of North America and they agreed to pick up the price of the new springs. It cost me the price of the labor, which was a little over $200.

catso · Jun 29, 2011

There very easy to replace, maybe 20 minutes each side.

Ray Davis · Sep 13, 2011

I have just been told I have a broken spring and have ordered a replacement to fit myself. Does anyone have the sequence for the DIY job please?

kurahee · Jul 4, 2014

This.

I have read this entire thread, and folks mention an easy DIY job, but no links to a DIY procedure are provided here.

This site has a ton of great DIY information, so I am surprised at this omission. It must be on the site in another thread, however if anyone comes by and reads this thread, and knows the location, please add a link to the DIY info.

Thanks!

jgilemtp · Jul 5, 2014

Yep my 03 325xi had one snap. my wife and daughter were in the kitchen and heard a big "clang" didn't see anything at first, but after I left for work the next day my daughter send me a pic of a 4" piece that she found on the garage floor. I know its a BMW and parts are not cheap, I expected that when I bought it, but i was absolutely stunned when I found the cost of OEM BMW coils! I ended up with a set of 4 H&R sport coils for what I would've paid for 1 or 2 OEM. Yeah it lowered it, but damn it handles nice, and yes I did replace the struts and shocks at the same time. I went with the Bilstein B8's a sport shock/strut designed with sport springs in mind. did the work myself in an day. Cant be happier with the outcome, handles great and looks great to boot.

jane harland · May 19, 2015

broken coil spring

I recently had a BMW manufacturers recall for the front passenger airbag on my 320 Ci SE and duly booked the car in with my local dealer. When they came to collect it I was asked if I wanted a free 'health check', so I said yes. They later rang me with a list of faults they'd found which resulted in them saying the car was unsafe to drive as one of these was a broken coil spring. They also said the trailing arm bushes needed replacing as they were split. Also the alternator belt was cracking. As I had a warranty insurance policy I checked with them to see what was covered. The coil spring inc. labour was. I then contacted my local garage as I don't use dealerships (the car is nearly 10 years old). They advised that it was unlikely the bushes would need replacing as a split often
doesn't invalidate the job the bushes do. The car is now in with them. The bushes don't need doing. They said they were in a similar condition to those on 80% of cars that would pass an MOT. The coil spring was broken and the alternator belt starting to crack but not in need of immediate replacement tho' they didn't know how long it would last so I said to do it anyway. I'm flagging all of this up as a warning in case anyone else gets a manufacturer's recall and is offered a similar health check. Be aware that you may be being encouraged to have work done unnecessarily. Out of the various things they found, the bushes would have been the most expensive job. However, I was glad they'd flagged up the spring as I hadn't realised it was broken!

GoForthFast · May 20, 2015

jane harland said:
When they came to collect it I was asked if I wanted a free 'health check', so I said yes. They later rang me with a list of faults they'd found

SOP for dealers.
Story has been told many times before.
Forewarned is forearmed. Reason to read the wiki in full.

Broken rear springs.

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