Should I Be Worried

[maggie01]

I heard a loud noise under my car,stopped to have a look and the only thing in the road was a piece of metal tubing about 6in curved. I think it must have caught the wheel and hit the underside of the car. Nothing is leaking and car is running ok.
Should I be concerned?

[Buenchico]

Are you surer that it's actually tubing (i.e. hollow), rather than solid metal. The last time I heard a big bang from under the car, and discovered a (solid) piece of curved metal, it was from one of the springs. Fortunately, they're fairly cheap to replace!

If it is actually tubing (and therefore not from a spring), what sort of diameter are you referring to? Is it wide (like an exhaust pipe) or much narrower?

[maggie01]

It was a narrow tubing like plumbers use

[tonyav]

In that case I wouldn't worry about it maggie, one of your wheels probably flipped it up and it hit the floor of the car.

[Buenchico]

I wouldn't worry too much - your theory about it just being flicked up by the tyre is probably correct - but, just to be on the safe side, ask your local friendly garage mechanic (if you've got one) whether he recognises the mystery bit of metal.

[maggie01]

I have just walked up the road and picked up the piece if metal and I have a feeling it came from my car. If it is the spring, is it an expensive job and is it safe to drive to the garrage

[Buenchico]

If it's hollow, it's not a spring but (as I indicated above) springs are cheap to replace anyway.

[maggie01]

Yes it's definately solid. I didn't stop to look properly when it happened. I think it is the spring. Thanks

[TWR]

If the metal is round, about the thickness of a 5 pence piece it will be from the Coils spring off the Front suspension, Its very hard to see the damage but to replace & you usual replace the two front ones together ( N/S + 0/S. price ( do not go to a dealer) around £200. time approx 4 hrs.

[maggie01]

Mechanic has just been. It can't be driven so has to go on truck to garage..Cost of Both springs replaced and towing £200 ouch!

[TWR]

Maggie, the Mechanic "MAY DO THIS" but ask him / her to check the underside front of the car for Brake Pipe Chaffing, the rubber hoses to the brakes also the metal pipes, also in that area the Rubber Boots that cover the steering rack, if they have been punctured, that is an MOT Failier.

[tonyav]

Bad luck maggie, at one time you never heard of a suspension spring breaking, now it seems to be very common. Either rubbish steel or the rubbish roads imo.

[TWR]

It's obviously the cheap pot hole repairs Tony, I cam back on the M6 Northbound last Monday, I was avoiding pot holes around the Standish area of the Motorway & that was daytime, I know people should not speed but can you imagine hitting these 80mph, where is the road tax going? I presume it's to pay something else in this corrupt system.

[tonyav]

Agree with that TWR, it certainly isn't all spent on road maintenance.

[maggie01]

Back on the road £185. Both springs and recovery. That wasn't too bad

[Buenchico]

I'm glad that you've got it sorted out (and, if I'm honest, I'm also feeling rather smug that I got it right in the first place - 'cos I know next to nothing about cars!)

;-)