Spring not sprung!

[Mofty in Meysey]

No, Not about climate change. We have had the two rear suspension springs break on our T5.1 Calli 2014 and I'm curious what the spec for the springs are. We have been offered VW springs at £130+vat each and others at £101-102 each... these others rated at Standard and Heavy Duty. I do have some dimensions for each but I'm curious what the standard fitment is for the Calli... can anyone help please?

 

[Ozzy Pete]

No, Not about climate change. We have had the two rear suspension springs break on our T5.1 Calli 2014 and I'm curious what the spec for the springs are. We have been offered VW springs at £130+vat each and others at £101-102 each... these others rated at Standard and Heavy Duty. I do have some dimensions for each but I'm curious what the standard fitment is for the Calli... can anyone help please?

Have you any idea how both springs broke at the same time?

 

[Mofty in Meysey]

Have you any idea how both springs broke at the same time?

No idea.... but springs break these days.. VW its a standard thing i believe, my golf and Audi also suffer these challenges from time to time. Saying that, the bus has been with the children this year for a trip round Scotland. I also have some ware on the outside of the nearside rear tyre which should have been a pointer.

 

[Ozzy Pete]

Did you pick it up or was it when you took it for an MOT.

 

[Mofty in Meysey]

Did you pick it up or was it when you took it for an MOT.

Yes I should’ve mentioned it was from an MOT. Otherwise I had no idea there was a break in either side.

 

[willwander]

Rear springs used to break all the time on my 5.1

 

[sidepod]

Common mode failure. Google it.

 

[Mofty in Meysey]

Common mode failure. Google it.

Google isn’t as good as someone who knows… thanks for the instruction though.

 

[sidepod]

It’s basically if two identical parts are manufactured in an identical way then they will fail approximately at the same time.

 

[B J G]

Heavy duty springs would be suitable as the Cali is 'loaded' at all times (roof, rear seat/bed, water tanks, etc etc.) compared to a transporter van which has nothing inside as a base point.

 

[Mofty in Meysey]

these were my thoughts too.... nice to have it confirmed. I'll measure the spring wire diameters along the length as it changes and try to marry it up with the two springs I have been pointed to.

 

[flying banana]

i've had a bust spring too. they come with colour coded striping painted on them that means something. see if you can see the marks on your old ones. the garage changed 1 for me on mot and bought me another. i fitted the other side myself.

 

[Ozzy Pete]

It’s basically if two identical parts are manufactured in an identical way then they will fail approximately at the same time.

Not necessary. Broken springs are mainly caused by potholes or other rough road conditions. All 4 wheels don’t hit the same pothole.
Also If that was the case then everyone with a VW California of a certain manufacturing year would have their springs fail at exactly the same time. Some can have their van for 20 years without problems others can have a failure in a year.

 

[sidepod]

Not necessary. Broken springs are mainly caused by potholes or other rough road conditions. All 4 wheels don’t hit the same pothole.
Also If that was the case then everyone with a VW California of a certain manufacturing year would have their springs fail at exactly the same time. Some can have their van for 20 years without problems others can have a failure in a year.

Clearly missed the concept.

 

[andyinluton]

I don't think anyone suggested both springs broke at the same time. The breakages however were spotted at the same time.

 

[flying banana]

i concur that they often break at the same time. i don't think it was meant that they fail at the exact same second but they often fail within a few weeks of each other

 

[Mofty in Meysey]

Thanks for your help everyone... I have a VW part number now and it appears you can only get these springs from VW directly. there is no after market available... unless you know differently??? Part number is 7H551211115N. thanks again.

 

[Anthony1]

Google isn’t as good as someone who knows… thanks for the instruction though.

To be fair Google is often by people who know. Youtube is best for reviews, repairs etc.