Broken rear coil spring (again..)
Thread Starter
New Members
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 477
Likes: 12
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
My Ride: 2004 545i+BT+AUX+Coding
Model Year: 2004
Engine: N62
I'm, not so sure that a broken spring is common, or at least I've never experienced one in all of the BMW's that I have had nor any of my friends. I agree with Turboawd there must be a reason. As for your dealer taking two weeks, this sounds a bit long, but you might be quite far from the NA parts facility and then if they have to get this from Europe. As you know, this car is no longer produced and dealers and warehouse try to determine which parts to keep available that are common. I've also seen it where the dealers are no always honest and tell you that the parts have to be special ordered because that seems to sit better with the customer than telling them they have to get in line for the next open repair slot. My guess is the coil brakeage is not that common. If you purchased the car new, then yes, I would be upset as well. But buying a car second hand comes with a lot risks. I was seriously alarmed once when a car salesman told be that the car I was looking at had never been driven in the rain and was always driven by a female. I immediately became suspicious and needless to say I didn't buy the car. I just figured it was a BS sales tactic. With that said, do you REALLY know that this car was lightly driven? I've seen some cars detailed so well they look better than new. To me a super clean car underneath and in places that peoplke don't normally care for would be a big red flag. When you said your car was listing in the rear, was it this way when you purchased it or did happen afterwards?
Thread Starter
New Members
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 477
Likes: 12
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
My Ride: 2004 545i+BT+AUX+Coding
Model Year: 2004
Engine: N62
Now it's just getting better, had another look under the car after jacking it up as I decided to start taking thing apart and there is the piece of spring laying on the ground.
Had a look at the other side.....and now I need two springs replaced.........
Did not realize that the springs actually fall past the bottom plate of the strut.
Had a look at the other side.....and now I need two springs replaced.........
Did not realize that the springs actually fall past the bottom plate of the strut.
Senior Members
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 0
My Ride: 2006 BMW 550i
Now it's just getting better, had another look under the car after jacking it up as I decided to start taking thing apart and there is the piece of spring laying on the ground.
Had a look at the other side.....and now I need two springs replaced.........
Did not realize that the springs actually fall past the bottom plate of the strut.
Had a look at the other side.....and now I need two springs replaced.........
Did not realize that the springs actually fall past the bottom plate of the strut.
Thread Starter
New Members
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 477
Likes: 12
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
My Ride: 2004 545i+BT+AUX+Coding
Model Year: 2004
Engine: N62
I don't think that's the reason but rather that the people that just did my alignment had too much weight added to the car to do the alignment, once the flat part breaks off the bottom of the coil, the springs will push past the bottom plate each time the car hits a good bump I would imagine, that's my WAG.....
Senior Members
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 0
My Ride: 2006 BMW 550i
I don't think that's the reason but rather that the people that just did my alignment had too much weight added to the car to do the alignment, once the flat part breaks off the bottom of the coil, the springs will push past the bottom plate each time the car hits a good bump I would imagine, that's my WAG.....
look at your struts to see if there is a date code one them possibly.
Thread Starter
New Members
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 477
Likes: 12
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
My Ride: 2004 545i+BT+AUX+Coding
Model Year: 2004
Engine: N62
Here's the date code must be the factory shocks.
With this being one of the first E60's, I would as any E60 owner have a good look at the state of my coil springs as they seem to have some weak spots here and there, 90% of the finish is still in great condition. Save for a few fresh scratches from slipping past the strut plate recently.
New Members
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 96
Likes: 1
From: New York
My Ride: BMW E60
Model Year: 2004
Engine: E60 M54
I think your spot on. If the spring isn't properly seated in the upper and lower flange its just a matter of time before the spring is going to cause a problem. You should have also noticed
performance issues with your car related to the side of the car with the F--d up spring.
Members
Senior Members
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,539
Likes: 11
From: Tampa Bay, FL
My Ride: 530i
Model Year: 2004
Engine: M54
Not the first time I've seen this with BMW. A lot of E46 owners had springs fail too. Spring failure is absurd and should NEVER happen.
This is not an isolated incident, and likely has nothing to do with someone putting the spring in the wrong position. Pour yourself a nice drink and google "bmw broken spring" to see what I mean.
This is not an isolated incident, and likely has nothing to do with someone putting the spring in the wrong position. Pour yourself a nice drink and google "bmw broken spring" to see what I mean.
New Members
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Grand Rapids
My Ride: 05 545i
I don't think that's the reason but rather that the people that just did my alignment had too much weight added to the car to do the alignment, once the flat part breaks off the bottom of the coil, the springs will push past the bottom plate each time the car hits a good bump I would imagine, that's my WAG.....
Unless the springs were already damaged by corrosion, you should be able to fully compress the springs without breaking them. That being said, I don't even think it's possible to fully compress the springs while they are installed on the car, as the shock absorbers would bottom out first. Even grossly over-weighting the car would not damage the springs while it's on an alignment rack.
