Keep driving with broken spring?

[Remspoor]

Short version:

Is it safe to drive with a broken spring (in the rear suspension)?

Long version:

Yesterday I got my Mazda 323 checked out and they found the rear-left spring was broken. I'd been hearing a *clunk* sometimes for the past few weeks, but only when driving away after a cold start. Since I didn't notice any change in the handling, and since the car makes a lot of noises anyway, I wasn't too worried... but anyway it's there and it needs to be fixed.

Problem is, they didn't have time to get it fixed until next week and I need the car - I need to drive around 300/400 miles this week, mostly on the freeway.

So is it safe to drive with a broken spring? The dealer told me it's not a big problem (he knows where the break is, I forgot to ask and couldn't locate it when I looked myself). Google didn't really give me a good answer. Now I'm certainly no expert but a problem with the suspension sounds dangerous to me... Also, even if it is safe, can this cause damage to other parts of the car/suspension if I keep on driving it?

 

[viVid]

I don't think I would drive on it. If you have to make a quick turn, to avoid an accident or whatever, you could upset the car (i.e., spin out, etc.). I suppose it could do some damage to your wheel well area, etc if it was bad enough. Honestly though, I can't say, because I have never experienced a broken spring...

Short version:

Is it safe to drive with a broken spring (in the rear suspension)?

Long version:

Yesterday I got my Mazda 323 checked out and they found the rear-left spring was broken. I'd been hearing a *clunk* sometimes for the past few weeks, but only when driving away after a cold start. Since I didn't notice any change in the handling, and since the car makes a lot of noises anyway, I wasn't too worried... but anyway it's there and it needs to be fixed.

Problem is, they didn't have time to get it fixed until next week and I need the car - I need to drive around 300/400 miles this week, mostly on the freeway.

So is it safe to drive with a broken spring? The dealer told me it's not a big problem (he knows where the break is, I forgot to ask and couldn't locate it when I looked myself). Google didn't really give me a good answer. Now I'm certainly no expert but a problem with the suspension sounds dangerous to me... Also, even if it is safe, can this cause damage to other parts of the car/suspension if I keep on driving it?

 

[Sir Nuke]

I wouldn't recommend it either......can you get your hands on the replacement spring? if so...replace it yourself...then take the car in next week and have it aligned.....if you put it all back together EXACTLY like it was bolted together...the alignment will be close anyway...


NOW something else to consider....just how old is your car? certainly the stock springs have settled over the years....if you put a NEW spring in ONE side...I would bet you money that side is going to sit higher than the other.....so another recommendation to you....if you are going to replace ONE of the rear springs.....I would highly recommend you replace BOTH.

(stash)

 

[eting_pro5]

One of my high school buds, who is now my college roommate drove a mid 90s escort. For fun the cross country team enjoyed bouncing on the bumpers and lifting one side of the car at a time. At one point we broke both of the rear springs. No one knew it at the time and he drove it for like a month. He didn't even notice.