Sprinter broken rear spring AGAIN

Well, good news on this old subject. THE SPRINGS BROKEN AGAIN !!!!! Aaaaaaaaaaagrh.
After all the previous posts and hassle I thought I had had the last of broken springs but not to be.
Total mileage 25425 and 17124 since the springs were changed. Lucky I am not allowed to type swear words 
Waiting for a 'not fit for purpose' response from Mercedes but not holding breath.
These C33 spec springs 'cannot' be spec'd correctly for these vehicles 

Is it the same side and similar break as last time?

As discussed before the C38 or C39 options appear required for the 3880kg chassis. Any photo of the break?

How unlucky is that John! Hope you get a positive response from MB - but as you suggested - don’t hold you breath.
If its the opposite side to the last time then I would suggest that you had the misfortune to have had a bad batch fitted in the first place. However if its the same side then perhaps there is an alignment issue with your chassis that is causing the problem?
Either way its a real pain - just glad that I went for the semi air system as it takes some of the load off the spring.
Good luck and keep us posted.

JayTee has told me by PM that it is the same side as before but in front of the axle this time.

By amazing coincidence, my sprinter-based AS is in for its first service today and I've just been phoned to say there are two broken rear springs, which will be replaced under warranty.  Somewhat disappointing, at 11k miles.  

Given the van is rated at 3850 kgs, should I phone to check that they're fitting those C38 or C39 ones?  Don't suppose it will do any harm.

Does this say anything about potholes, or my occasional trip with a full tank of water, or is Jaytee's van spreading infection?!

Do you have the build data for your van? That will tell you what spring option is fitted, probably the C33. Everyone else seems to have the C33, though from MB's description of the options C38 or 39 seems more appropriate.

VIN in here will get your build data. [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

The Beckford looks like the same layout as Jaytee's Winchcombe, rear lounge. Maybe the weight distribution of that is causing the problem.

Somewhat dissapointing this and happening to far too many of us by the sound of it. I have given Merc my weighed axle weights as well as fury in the hope they will assess the C33 as correct but not too hopeful. Have any of you got the specs for the C38 or C39 in case I am forced to pay for new then I may go down that route?
Or I may contact spring specialists and get some made.
I suppose the only positive out of both of my breaks is knowing the vehicle is still quite drivable . Just pulls which ever way a bit.
Not been to Scotland since last year so not guilty re infection lol.
Even with full water (which we do quite regularly carry) my rear axle on the weighbridge was 2120 just below the spring rating. Would be interesting to see what yours is Beagle.

Jaytee wrote:Somewhat dissapointing this and happening to far too many of us by the sound of it. I have given Merc my weighed axle weights as well as fury in the hope they will assess the C33 as correct but not too hopeful. Have any of you got the specs for the C38 or C39 in case I am forced to pay for new then I may go down that route?
Or I may contact spring specialists and get some made.
I suppose the only positive out of both of my breaks is knowing the vehicle is still quite drivable . Just pulls which ever way a bit.

John,
As a thought, if you do not get any satisfaction from MB and you have to go down the self funding route - would it be worth investigating the possible sourcing of springs that have been taken off brand new MB LWB chassises, such as Ambulances, where they discard the original springs (throw them in a skip I am told!) in order to fit full air suspension? I know that Conrad Anderson fit out such vehicles and might be worth a call. 
Perhaps a more radical thought would be to go down the full air suspension route (i.e. get rid of the current springs) - VB are the main authorised MB supplier of such a rig but they are not cheap. GlideRite do another version which is also MB approved  and is a lot cheaper.
Just thinking!

Some info in here, page 5.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Info I got from the American Sprinter forum, was C33 with XL8 options as AS provide, the springs are actually C38 ie single not twin as described for the C33 option. Options are shown in [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Overloading your van with cases of wine John.      
Boaby

Jaytee have you weighed rear wheels individually? Could be a lateral weigh distribution problem?

I was wondering if the few miles that you did with the spring fitted the wrong way round may have induced this problem even though it took a few thousand miles to manifest itself - don't forget to mention it!

Good point that Peter and Liam and Peter L, not helpful Boaby 

Sanguinary Hades - that is NOT funny.  Good poin made,t Peter

Update on my situation: spoke to MB dealer after they diagnosed the two broken springs.  Armed with the helpful info from you chaps I asked if they were aware the chassis had been up-rated to 3880.  They weren't, and had been about to fit the same (C33) springs.  But agreed that they should be C39 instead.  So they're being air-freighted from Germany as we speak.

So it's a big thanks to you all.

Alan

That's interesting. Were your old springs singles? If so they were probably C38 not C33 which are supposed to be doubles.

Let us know about any differences noticed when fitted.

Beagle wrote:Update on my situation: spoke to MB dealer after they diagnosed the two broken springs.  Armed with the helpful info from you chaps I asked if they were aware the chassis had been up-rated to 3880.  They weren't, and had been about to fit the same (C33) springs.  But agreed that they should be C39 instead.  So they're being air-freighted from Germany as we speak.

So it's a big thanks to you all.

Alan

Whatever springs they replace it with don’t forget that it must be compatible with the XL8 package which is the MB descriptor for the combination of items (rear axle stabiliser reinforced, ABS braking, etc.) included on the suspension in order to update it to 3880kg!

Hi Everyone
      with having had 2 MB Sprinters rated at 3880kgs what years are affected is it just the newer models or have I got troubles ahead bearing in mind I tow a car trailer 
waiting replies
thanks
Alan

So far it is two rear lounge models that have reported broken springs. This may not be a factor. Just enjoy, and worry if and when something happens.

PLOUGHLIN wrote:So far it is two rear lounge models that have reported broken springs. This may not be a factor. Just enjoy, and worry if and when something happens.

Peter,
They are not the same layout - I believe the Winchcombe is described as an "end wash room" with the lounge more to the front - more like the Malvern but a larger lounge area. 
Not sure if the water (fresh water particularly) tanks are in the same location but I would have guessed that AS would have distributed the weight in accordance with the axle requirements.
My van has the freshwater tank at the extreme rear end and under the chassis of the vehicle and thus applies a significant bending moment (when carrying water) to the rear springs - but touching wood - so far so good.

Yep. Winchcombe has rear washroom, fresh water tank midships and axle weight has always been under the rated spring loading.
They must have changed the C33 spring specs as ours 2013 has single spring and definitely a C33.
Broken twice and not amused. And as my son rightly says will break again and with the ongoing associated risks. 

Yes sorry about the rear lounge description, but much more like than a Gloucester.

Re the C33 springs described as doubles. My build and I suspect all AS chassis cabs has CF5 option, which is quoted as (from the Special Equiptment Brochure):-
With this package code, harder rear springs (no helper leaf), a higher-capacity front axle and higher-capacity stabilizers are installed. In addition, even better tuned shock absorbers are installed depending on model variant.

This package code is recommended exclusively for Chassis Cabs:
Chassis Cab:
- RV’s
- Box Bodies with Tail Lift
- All vehicles with high center of gravity will benefit

I am convinced that C33 option gets overrided by the CF5 option and so we actually have C38 springs.

I rather think air suspension would be the route to go down to avoid this happening again  just when you need the van. Ridiculous really on one of the most expensive base vehicles.

Totally agree Crosgor, exactly what I said to the Merc garage. And yes, had to cancel a trip away this weekend. I do not believe I should be paying to modify a vehicle that clearly isn't fit for purpose though, something the supplier should be doing prior to sale.
Waiting to hear from Merc 'again'. 
In the meantime I have been speaking to a company called Midland Road Springs who manufacture a two leaf spring, first leaf to 3500 gross weight and second spring takes it up to approx 4700. He says it won't make it a harsher ride and if anything better than the single hard spring. About £300 for the pair so if Merc expect me to pay for the replacement of the broken I may go down this alternative route. And or price up a C39 dual rate spring. Just need to watch ride height though.