I don't know how else to describe the "zoing" sound the front springs make when i turn my wheel at low speed...
Why is it making this noise?
Cheers

You normally get that sort of noise when the spring is moving within the strut. Could be that the end of the spring has snapped off causing the spring to lose tension or the spring has unseated from the rubber insulator or the springs have simply become tired and have lost some tension allowing them to move within their seating. Another possible cause is a sticky top strut mounting causing jerkiness when turning the steering which causes the springs to kind of wind up slightly which then gives you that noise when they release. Hope that makes sense! Good luck!

Last edited by dondiddy on 7th Jan 2021 5:09 pm. Edited 2 times in total

Great, thanks!

I'm tempted to leave it be until something stops working - i cannot feel anything while driving - and when it stops working i'll know exactly what it is i need to fix..

At the very least jack it up and have a look.
If the spring is broken you should not be driving it. Can bee very dangerous. Now at the point when I learn something new something old is lost out the other side !
Now retired so it doesn't matter anymore.
Freelander now gone.

I don't believe it's a broken spring, I've inspected it a few times trying to find a fault, also had a service center see if they could see anything obvious.
I think it has something to do with the top mounting - either the spring is incorrectly seated or mounting is worn?
Is there a relatively simple way to check this?

And to really prove my naivety, if it's not correctly seated could I jack it up and turn the spring to the correct position 🥺

rambling rollie wrote:

I don't believe it's a broken spring, I've inspected it a few times trying to find a fault, also had a service center see if they could see anything obvious.
I think it has something to do with the top mounting - either the spring is incorrectly seated or mounting is worn?
Is there a relatively simple way to check this?

Years ago I had a Granada Ghia and was getting the same noise as you and could not find the cause I checked both front springs numerous times and could not find the cause, got a specialist company to check it still could not find the answer so removed the lot and yes , the spring was broken but you could not see it in situ.
Might be a good idea to remove the springs and check them out.
Took ages to find it and the noise drove me crazy
Cheers
Moe

Sorry Rollie, I misunderstood you.

If you are convinced the spring is OK, try spraying some release oil up inside the suspension turret. If it is the top bearing, the release oil might quite it down a bit.
Doubt you could turn the spring in situe as its under one hell of a lot of pressure. Had to change both front springs on mine couple of years ago as one had snapped. Went off with a hell of a crack as I was driving out of the garage. Now at the point when I learn something new something old is lost out the other side !
Now retired so it doesn't matter anymore.
Freelander now gone.

A "feature" of the Macpherson Strut suspension design unfortunately. My wife likes her Mondeo, but it is prone to breaking springs.

Thanks gasman

The top bearings are supposed to have been replaced ("supposed to" as in i booked the car in and paid for said work) - what i'm worrying about is a comment another service centre made that "it may not have been installed properly". - is that even possible?, or is it probably just a failed bearing?

I appreciate everyone's input!

I know from experience what a defective top bearing sounds like - the car rattles and bangs at every suspension movement!

Hi Rollie

When you re assemble the strut after replacing a spring etc it has to be set to a specific angle when tightening, not sure why, think it has something to do with steering geometry.
Don't know if that helps or just makes it more confusing. Now at the point when I learn something new something old is lost out the other side !
Now retired so it doesn't matter anymore.
Freelander now gone.