Anyone ever see a spring just snap?

omniphil · 05-04-2017, 06:16 PM

Came back from vacation and went to drive the M3 and there was a rubbing noise. sounded like brakes. I ordered some new pads figuring maybe its just a stuck caliber or something and when I took the front wheel off I noticed the bottom of the spring had just snapped off. I am sure glad that didn't happen while driving.

I've never seen a spring just snap before, Anyone ever seen that?

2009 with 85k miles on it...

///M Power-Belgium · 05-04-2017, 06:18 PM

Stunt car ?

omniphil · 05-04-2017, 06:41 PM

Lol, no not a stunt car. was just sitting in the driveway.

I also saw this and laughed, i guess they are supposed to snap....

shimmy23 · 05-05-2017, 08:42 AM

wow! never seen that and goes to show that springs aren't always a life of the car thing?

good excuse to buy some coilovers or lowering springs now

rymerc · 05-05-2017, 01:26 PM

Yep, happens. Some specific years of certain models are more prone, due to bad batches from suppliers... Not aware of a widespread issue with M3s specifically.

Replace it with a like spring, done.

admranger · 05-05-2017, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rymerc

Yep, happens. Some specific years of certain models are more prone, due to bad batches from suppliers... Not aware of a widespread issue with M3s specifically.

Replace it with a like spring, done.

I recommend replacing in pairs. I'd also hazard a guess that those struts have seen better days and replacing them "while you are in there" (the most expensive 5 words in the english language) is almost a no brainer. However, I'm really good at spending other people's money.

kyippee · 05-05-2017, 09:18 PM

My E46 M3 had a rear spring crack at ~110k miles, and I bet it would have ended up snapping like yours if I kept driving on it.

Probably a good time to do a suspension refresh, replacing the shocks & springs as well as any other worn parts.

Lexustbs · 05-06-2017, 07:36 PM

wow. if you look back past the spring it's corrosion central. guessing this is a northern car?

JsL · 05-06-2017, 09:08 PM

Cut off the same length on the other side. Wham! Free lowering springs.

omniphil · 05-09-2017, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lexustbs

wow. if you look back past the spring it's corrosion central. guessing this is a northern car?

Yup, New England car. Seen plenty of snow...

BaggedDevil · 05-09-2017, 03:40 PM

I have never seen a spring snap but I have watched a spring shoot out from a ford bronco

05-04-2017, 06:16 PM	#1
omniphil First Lieutenant 77 Rep 306 Posts Drives: me crazy, Woo Hoo Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: NH iTrader: (0)	Anyone ever see a spring just snap? Came back from vacation and went to drive the M3 and there was a rubbing noise. sounded like brakes. I ordered some new pads figuring maybe its just a stuck caliber or something and when I took the front wheel off I noticed the bottom of the spring had just snapped off. I am sure glad that didn't happen while driving. I've never seen a spring just snap before, Anyone ever seen that? 2009 with 85k miles on it... Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

05-04-2017, 06:18 PM	#2
///M Power-Belgium General 63062 Rep 24,605 Posts Drives: ///M3-E92-DCT Silverstone II Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Belgium iTrader: (0)	Stunt car ? __________________ "MAX VERSTAPPEN" IS THE 2021+2022+2023 F1 WORLD CHAMPION - #UnLeashTheLion BPM DEV-Tune & DCT Software-Tune & Servotronic & coding ///Alpine HID Angeleyes ///Oem.exhaust mod.
	Appreciate 1 Banana Hammock3769.00 Quote

05-04-2017, 06:41 PM	#3
omniphil First Lieutenant 77 Rep 306 Posts Drives: me crazy, Woo Hoo Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: NH iTrader: (0)	Lol, no not a stunt car. was just sitting in the driveway. I also saw this and laughed, i guess they are supposed to snap.... Attached Images
	Appreciate 1 ///M Power-Belgium63062.00 Quote

05-05-2017, 08:42 AM	#4
shimmy23 F15 daddymobile 2341 Rep 3,507 Posts Drives: GS X5 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: WA iTrader: (3)	wow! never seen that and goes to show that springs aren't always a life of the car thing? good excuse to buy some coilovers or lowering springs now
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-05-2017, 01:26 PM	#5
rymerc winner of many hpde trophies 47 Rep 120 Posts Drives: 08 e90 Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: central ohio iTrader: (1)	Yep, happens. Some specific years of certain models are more prone, due to bad batches from suppliers... Not aware of a widespread issue with M3s specifically. Replace it with a like spring, done.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-05-2017, 09:18 PM	#7
kyippee Lieutenant Colonel 1072 Rep 1,617 Posts Drives: E92 M3, Supra MK5, F44 235GC Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0)	My E46 M3 had a rear spring crack at ~110k miles, and I bet it would have ended up snapping like yours if I kept driving on it. Probably a good time to do a suspension refresh, replacing the shocks & springs as well as any other worn parts.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-06-2017, 07:36 PM	#8
Lexustbs Private 36 Rep 95 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW E90 M3 Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Kentucky iTrader: (0)	wow. if you look back past the spring it's corrosion central. guessing this is a northern car? __________________ 2011 BMW M3 Sedan Bone Stock
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-06-2017, 09:08 PM	#9
JsL Major 448 Rep 1,263 Posts Drives: 2011 AW M3 ZCP Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (2)	Cut off the same length on the other side. Wham! Free lowering springs.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-09-2017, 03:40 PM	#11
BaggedDevil New Member 11 Rep 15 Posts Drives: 09 E92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Tempe / Socal iTrader: (0)	I have never seen a spring snap but I have watched a spring shoot out from a ford bronco
	Appreciate 0 Quote