I recently had a pair of wheel springs fitted after one suddenly broke. Ever since, there's been a loud, 'clunking - springy' sound when I'm slowing - it even sounds like my car is sort of bouncing on springs as it slows. The car now sounds like a really ancient van whereas beforehand my 2003 Ford Fiesta sounded almost like a new car. I took it back to the company who fitted the springs and was told that it can take 100 to 400 miles for springs to bed in. I think this is a big porkie. I'm clueless about cars - could anyone advise me please? I'm a poorish student and I think I'm being taken for a ride! Thank you, Elle

Elle, May 2010

on some cars, the rubber cushioning/packing pieces, where the springs seat, can wear through. ideally, these should also be replaced, but if they were in a really bad way they could have been left out completely and the spring could be seating, metal to metal!. this, in it's self isn't dangerous, but have it looked at anyway!

sam, May 2010

If the fault has just appeared after the springs were fitted,good chance they have done something to cause this,never heard of springs "bedding" in,in fact would say they are talking rubbish,the very fact they are trying to fob you off with this excuse shows what sort of people you are dealing with.Any decent mechanic would not want to put shoddy work out and rip people off and would make an effort to rectify the fault,this is compromising your safety,have another go at them and in future find a decent workshop that will give better service and value.

wickham, May 2010