Thread: What happens if a Coil Spring Breaks

Id take a broken coil spring over a broken air spring!
Have seen a mates GU patrol wagon break a front spring in the boonies of the Kimberely 10 years ago
Coils collapsed into themselves we put a few hose clamps around the coils (probably did nothing useful) and then drove hundreds of kays back to Wyndham

I wouldnt stress too much about the low risk of breaking a coil spring

Tyres dampers and bushes will take much more of a hiding on a cape trip

S

It's possible to utilise 2 car batteries in series to weld for short periods of time using Sheilded metal welding electrodes.
I always thought it'd be cool to break a coil and weld it back together again, then drive victoriously out of the bush with a cool story to tell.

I've heard of cars that have been stranded by broken coils, and stories like the one above where people have been able to continue driving on 3 springs.

coils wil be least of your worries..........they are cheap as chips so maybe fit new ones if your worried

If breaking a coil is the only thing you have left to worry about, you're in for a awesome trip!

Coils on a Defender rarely break, But I always carry welding electrodes & leads, (as mentioned ) plus appropriate cables to link my 3 batteries together and a welding lens.

DC welding with car batteries gives great results . Its not only broken springs but you can also fix just about anything.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tHJ0NSjZnM]Arc Welding with 3 Car Batteries (Tutorial & Demo) - YouTube[/ame]

I assume I can continue with a broken shock but things would become very bouncy.

A broken shock is worse than a broken spring , if it brakes a shaft as it is the thing that holds the spring in and the spring can then fall out.

The fix is to get a strap and tie the axle to the bump stop or somewher eto stop the spring falling out.

Having said all that , if you are careful there is nothing unusual about Cape York that would lead to broken springs or shocks for that matter.

And do not assume you could pick up a spring at the next town. I don't think there are any modern LR in the wreckers in Doomagee/Seisia and air freight in would take quite a while. I had a new fan mailed to Cooktown which is the nearest "large" centre.
BTW there are no chemists north of Cooktown except Thursday Island.
Regards Philip A

Originally Posted by roverrescue

Id take a broken coil spring over a broken air spring!
Have seen a mates GU patrol wagon break a front spring in the boonies of the Kimberely 10 years ago
Coils collapsed into themselves we put a few hose clamps around the coils (probably did nothing useful) and then drove hundreds of kays back to Wyndham

I wouldnt stress too much about the low risk of breaking a coil spring

Tyres dampers and bushes will take much more of a hiding on a cape trip

S

That would of been your namesake and his brand new Dobinsons

Which one of you was it that got the fish hook through your hand....?

Take spare tie rod ends & all the bushes, these might pack it in.

The shocks may fail, but unlikely to break apart per se. (unless there's a mismatch with the bump stops). Budget for replacing them when you get back.

And spring breakage is a thing of the past. They used to crack, but the carbon content in the steel has long changed. These days they sag but not crack.

Regards
Max P