Our F II from 2009 failed its MOT today because of a broken coil spring in the back. I had swapped left and right rear tyres last week and looked at all the gubbins in the wheel arch and did not notice anything.

Lay under the car after the MOT looking and feeling for the crack and all I can see is that the black laquer has cracked and is peeling off. The spring itself is o.k. But I guess, since the tester wrote "broken coil spring" into the test certificate I definitely have to change it and I will.

I have one question: There 2 different versions of rear coil spring available. One has an outer diametre of 96 mm and a wire diametre of 10.25 mm and the other has an outer diametre of 99 mm and a wire diametre of 9.75 mm.

Are they interchangeable??

Edited 11 November, 20205 yr by 26DIPP

Are you sure a piece hasn't broken off the top or bottom? Compare the way the two ends point relative to each other on good side and 'broken' side. 

If it's an original spring, there will be some painted dots on it, the colour sequence is the giveaway to identifying the spring part number. 

All variants will probably fit, but you really want one that matches t'other side, unless you plan to do both.

 

I think I've counted a total of 15 different possible part numbers for the rear springs on a 2009 Fabia.

7 here: https://skoda.7zap.com/en/cz/fabia/fab/2009-608/5/511-511000/

4 here: https://skoda.7zap.com/en/cz/fabia/fab/2009-608/5/511-511010/

and 4 more here: https://skoda.7zap.com/en/cz/fabia/fab/2009-608/5/511-511020/

 

if its an 09 and on original springs, id do both...

 

I looked around and felt both top and bottom ends. There are no sharp ends pointing to a broken end.

Might be wise to check the fronts in case the tester wrote the wrong thing.

5 hours ago, 26DIPP said:

Our F II from 2009 failed its MOT today because of a broken coil spring in the back. I had swapped left and right rear tyres last week and looked at all the gubbins in the wheel arch and did not notice anything.

Lay under the car after the MOT looking and feeling for the crack and all I can see is that the black laquer has cracked and is peeling off. The spring itself is o.k. But I guess, since the tester wrote "broken coil spring" into the test certificate I definitely have to change it and I will.

I have one question: There 2 different versions of rear coil spring available. One has an outer diametre of 96 mm and a wire diametre of 10.25 mm and the other has an outer diametre of 99 mm and a wire diametre of 9.75 mm.

Are they interchangeable??

 

Measure the distance between the centre of the wheel and the wheelarch on both sides. Each side should be within a few millimetres of each other. 10mm or more difference would be a giveaway of a possible broken spring on one side.

I had a look at the front springs today.

The right front markings are closer to the base, the end feels sharp and the distance wheel arch to tyre is closer by about 10mm.

 

I will need to fix the right front!!!

But for the MOT retest: As I have failed on the broken right rear coil spring is this what they will retest? The DVLA website states partial test....

How bad is this from a test centre?

The new REAR coil springs are on the way. Should I complain if they pass us after the test? And point out the front?

Edited 13 November, 20205 yr by 26DIPP

MOT testers are human and thus fallible. Talk to the person that did the original test, if possible, explaining what you've found (and not found). Do this before replacing any parts or putting the car in for retest.

I agree, take it back and get them to confirm, ideally show you.

The broken rear coil spring replacement is now a broken FRONT coil spring replacement.

Will the tracking have to be done after replacement?

When I replaced them on a Zafira I did have to do tracking.

You could skip the tracking since everything is going back together the same way it came apart.

Edited 16 November, 20205 yr by sepulchrave