2003 Ford Ka Rear Suspension

2003 FORD KA
37,000 MILES
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CSHAW90
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Dear Sir/Madam,

I took my KA in for an MOT and a service, it failed the MOT because the rear suspension spring was cracked. I had to pay £170 for this to be replaced. I took the car home and within 2 days it was making a very loud knocking noise at the back nearside of the car where the spring has been replaced. I have taken the car in and now Ford are saying that the top mount and rubber bearing need to be replaced. Should this have been picked up on the previous MOT and would this be caused by improper fitting of the new spring. I am now having to pay £140 for this ontop of the £170 for the spring. Any help you could give on this subject would be gratefully appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Catherine Shaw
Sep 12, 2013 at 8:46 AM
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CARADIODOC
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Things like this happen all the time and they're just as frustrating for the mechanic who is trying to do a conscientious repair as they are for the car owner. Very often with suspension parts wear can not be seen. We have to go by locating the sources of noises or by visually seeing something move when we pry on it. Some wear can't even be detected by just looking at a part we're holding in our hand.

A couple of things could have happened here. A worn bushing could have allowed a spring to flex or move too much leading to it breaking. The break could have been attributed to fatigue so the mechanic wouldn't have looked further. Some very experienced mechanics might know a worn bushing could be the cause of the break but if they aren't 100 percent sure, they aren't going to spend your money on something that may not be needed. By trying to save you money on the first visit, it comes back to bite them, and you're angry on the second visit.

It is just as likely the new spring has put the ride height of the car back where it is supposed to be and that will change the amount of stress on various parts. The load was not being carried by the suspension system in the normal manner. Now, with the new spring, all those components are being asked to do what they were intended to do. The mechanic should have performed a test-drive after the spring replacement and should have noticed the noise, but sometimes after a car has been raised on a hoist it takes a while for the suspension system to settle before that noise shows up. Until that happens, if there's no noise, there's no reason for the mechanic to go looking for something more to make you buy.
Sep 12, 2013 at 11:20 AM