What are the symptoms of a broken Passat coil spring?
2 Answers
Passat coil spring failure can affect rebound force and may cause tilting: 1. Impact on rebound force: Since the shock absorber's rebound force is provided by the coil spring absorbing road vibrations and impacts, any damage to the coil spring will significantly affect the shock absorber's rebound performance. As the coil spring weakens, the vehicle's overall vibration filtering effectiveness will deteriorate. Additionally, when driving on extremely bumpy roads, there's a high risk of the shock absorber bottoming out. 2. Potential tilting from broken Passat coil spring: Bending damage to the coil spring may cause tilting of the spring end surface. Once the spring end surface becomes tilted or bent, it will create abnormal noises by rubbing against the spring base during operation. As the most critical component in a vehicle's vibration filtering system, the shock absorber primarily absorbs vibrations and impacts caused by uneven road surfaces during driving, thereby providing passengers with a comfortable ride environment. Any damage to the shock absorber will significantly impact both driving quality and safety.
I've been driving a Passat for many years, and recently I've noticed that the car feels particularly bumpy, especially when going over speed bumps, with the body making a "creaking" sound, as if it's limping with one side higher than the other. When turning, it sways uncontrollably, and upon parking, I noticed uneven tire wear. I asked a friend who's a car mechanic, and he said the springs might be broken or fatigued. If not addressed, the problem could get worse, affecting braking distance, making it easy to lose control during emergency braking, and putting extra strain on the shock absorbers, which would be more expensive to replace. He advised me to avoid rough roads when driving, regularly check the suspension, and go to a professional repair shop immediately if the car body appears uneven—safety first.
