ACS springs and strut failure

TheRealOrosie · 07-11-2013, 06:44 PM

Is this common? I had a front strut fail after installing ACS springs about 3 months ago. BMW said it would not cover due to the springs, and blamed them for the failure.

Anyone else experience this?

alextremo · 07-11-2013, 08:08 PM

No issues yet. How many miles did you have on the springs?

45ACP · 07-11-2013, 09:37 PM

I recall someone else on the forums having the same problem. How much is the stealership charging you for the repair?

Alan l. · 07-11-2013, 09:50 PM

I don't think the other person with the strut failure had any aftermarket springs on his car so I don't attribute this to ACS. Seems like a coincidence and of course the dealer is going to play the blame game.

Alan

TheRealOrosie · 07-11-2013, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 45ACP

I recall someone else on the forums having the same problem. How much is the stealership charging you for the repair?

They wanted a grand. My go to shop for mods, Performance Technic is doing it for $600.

TheRealOrosie · 07-11-2013, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan l.

I don't think the other person with the strut failure had any aftermarket springs on his car so I don't attribute this to ACS. Seems like a coincidence and of course the dealer is going to play the blame game.

Alan

Exactly...they were blaming the failure on the aftermarket springs. Total bullshit.

TheRealOrosie · 07-11-2013, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alextremo

No issues yet. How many miles did you have on the springs?

Less than a 1000.

kthankzbye · 07-11-2013, 11:42 PM

I had the same problem. Dealer said i had a blown strut and wouldn't cover under warranty due to aftermarket springs. Wanted 1200. I had Dinan springs so I've end up taking it to prestige. It wasn't a blown strut and everything was normal.

You sure it's a blown strut or that's that the dealer told you?

JamRWS6 · 07-12-2013, 12:47 AM

I'm inclined to disagree here. Given the very nature of aftermarket springs with higher spring rates and more shock compression they often expose the shock/strut to forces it was never designed to take. Bottom line is you are playing with fire with aftermarket springs and damage caused is on the owner. Pay to play.

jykishan · 07-12-2013, 01:11 AM

yeah that was me, I had a strut failure before I had ACS springs put on, the shop that was doing the install asked me what I wanted to do, I said go ahead and finish the install as opposed to putting it back to stock. I just replaced that shock out of pocket last week, I have EDC so it costs more because they have to program the shock. Paid a little over a grand to replace my right rear shock.

45ACP · 07-12-2013, 08:18 AM

The replacement shock has to be reprogrammed??? With all these electronic parts, this car will be a money pit to keep past the warranty period. No more straight-forward replacement of parts!

When I had a buddy install my ACS springs a few weeks ago, he didn't notice anything electronic about the rear struts as with the fronts. He was thinking maybe damper control was applied to the front of the car only, but guess he was wrong.

If my shocks ever go out, I might as well replace everything with coilovers and forgo damper control then. I can't feel the difference between normal and sport damper modes anyway.

Alan l. · 07-12-2013, 09:01 AM

I can't imagine lowering the car 1" from the ACS springs would cause catastrophic strut failure after 1K miles. If you slammed the car 2.5"+ then the argument is much more valid. 1" is still well within normal shock operating height imo and shouldn't cause much more wear if any. Bmw has to consider that someone who drives their cars might weigh 300lbs or constantly drives with a full load of passenger in the car with stuff in the trunk. That would make even a stock suspension car drop down at least 1" ride height.

ClassM · 07-12-2013, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan l.

I can't imagine lowering the car 1" from the ACS springs would cause catastrophic strut failure after 1K miles. If you slammed the car 2.5"+ then the argument is much more valid. 1" is still well within normal shock operating height imo and shouldn't cause much more wear if any. Bmw has to consider that someone who drives their cars might weigh 300lbs or constantly drives with a full load of passenger in the car with stuff in the trunk. That would make even a stock suspension car drop down at least 1" ride height.

Totally agree.

Russkey · 07-12-2013, 01:23 PM

It's hard to blame the springs. I drove 20k+ miles with ACS springs and no problems so far. Fingers crossed

btv764 · 07-12-2013, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russkey

It's hard to blame the springs. I drove 20k+ miles with ACS springs and no problems so far. Fingers crossed

Same here. It has also been to the dealer for a tire replacement (pothole) and they never mentioned anything about them at that time either.

Luminor513 · 07-13-2013, 12:19 PM

The blown strut is most likely caused by the shop installing the springs. If they don't properly compress the strut, or put any inappropriate side force on the rod, it can easily damage the strut. A one inch drop will not significantly degrade strut life, so a sudden damaged strut after spring install is due to improper installation.

TheRealOrosie · 07-13-2013, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kthankzbye

I had the same problem. Dealer said i had a blown strut and wouldn't cover under warranty due to aftermarket springs. Wanted 1200. I had Dinan springs so I've end up taking it to prestige. It wasn't a blown strut and everything was normal.

You sure it's a blown strut or that's that the dealer told you?

Yes...it is blown. First diagnosed by my tuner shop, and confirmed by dealer.

kthankzbye · 07-13-2013, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P-Town550i

Quote:

Originally Posted by kthankzbye

I had the same problem. Dealer said i had a blown strut and wouldn't cover under warranty due to aftermarket springs. Wanted 1200. I had Dinan springs so I've end up taking it to prestige. It wasn't a blown strut and everything was normal.

You sure it's a blown strut or that's that the dealer told you?

Yes...it is blown. First diagnosed by my tuner shop, and confirmed by dealer.

Take it to different dealers. Just tell them you don't know what happened. Some might fix it.
Or you could put back stock springs and go in for it.

superbuick · 07-13-2013, 08:04 PM

I put on eibachs and within 300 miles had a rear shock completely blown out. It's the fault of the shock, not the install. The stock non-sport shocks on these cars are very close to their limit with the stock springs.

ausfahrt · 07-13-2013, 09:09 PM

I drove from the Midwest to Florida with a Car top carrier a wife and two kids with my ACS springs and no problems. I just had my car inspected, tires balanced and alignment they said everything is ok. I had them check it because I'm driving to San Diego with the family sometime this month.

I did have a problem thinking the shock was bad due to the ACS Springs. But I was wrong. My front tires were out of balance and I had put too much air in the tires.

07-11-2013, 06:44 PM	#1
TheRealOrosie BMW Fan Boy 446 Rep 1,385 Posts Drives: //M Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Chapel Hill, NC iTrader: (0)	ACS springs and strut failure Is this common? I had a front strut fail after installing ACS springs about 3 months ago. BMW said it would not cover due to the springs, and blamed them for the failure. Anyone else experience this?
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07-11-2013, 08:08 PM	#2
alextremo Captain 49 Rep 966 Posts Drives: F10 550i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: USA iTrader: (5)	No issues yet. How many miles did you have on the springs?
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07-11-2013, 09:37 PM	#3
45ACP Long Live the 1911 46 Rep 643 Posts Drives: Hooptie Join Date: May 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2011 550i [0.00] 2008 M Coupe (retired) [0.00] 2007 335i (retired) [0.00]	I recall someone else on the forums having the same problem. How much is the stealership charging you for the repair?
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07-11-2013, 09:50 PM	#4
Alan l. Major General 5428 Rep 8,801 Posts Drives: 2020 F95 X5M Competition Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: United States iTrader: (9)	I don't think the other person with the strut failure had any aftermarket springs on his car so I don't attribute this to ACS. Seems like a coincidence and of course the dealer is going to play the blame game. Alan __________________
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07-11-2013, 11:42 PM	#8
kthankzbye Lieutenant 86 Rep 459 Posts Drives: 2011 F10 550i, 2020 G05 40i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Brooklyn, NYC iTrader: (1)	I had the same problem. Dealer said i had a blown strut and wouldn't cover under warranty due to aftermarket springs. Wanted 1200. I had Dinan springs so I've end up taking it to prestige. It wasn't a blown strut and everything was normal. You sure it's a blown strut or that's that the dealer told you?
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07-12-2013, 12:47 AM	#9
JamRWS6 Captain 191 Rep 602 Posts Drives: 2022 X3M Competition Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0)	I'm inclined to disagree here. Given the very nature of aftermarket springs with higher spring rates and more shock compression they often expose the shock/strut to forces it was never designed to take. Bottom line is you are playing with fire with aftermarket springs and damage caused is on the owner. Pay to play. __________________ - 2022 X3M Comp - 2021 X5 xDrive 40i - 2018 F80 M3 (sold)
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07-12-2013, 01:11 AM	#10
jykishan vroom vroom 19 Rep 134 Posts Drives: 2011 550i xDrive Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Fort Walton Beach, FL iTrader: (2)	yeah that was me, I had a strut failure before I had ACS springs put on, the shop that was doing the install asked me what I wanted to do, I said go ahead and finish the install as opposed to putting it back to stock. I just replaced that shock out of pocket last week, I have EDC so it costs more because they have to program the shock. Paid a little over a grand to replace my right rear shock.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-12-2013, 08:18 AM	#11
45ACP Long Live the 1911 46 Rep 643 Posts Drives: Hooptie Join Date: May 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2011 550i [0.00] 2008 M Coupe (retired) [0.00] 2007 335i (retired) [0.00]	The replacement shock has to be reprogrammed??? With all these electronic parts, this car will be a money pit to keep past the warranty period. No more straight-forward replacement of parts! When I had a buddy install my ACS springs a few weeks ago, he didn't notice anything electronic about the rear struts as with the fronts. He was thinking maybe damper control was applied to the front of the car only, but guess he was wrong. If my shocks ever go out, I might as well replace everything with coilovers and forgo damper control then. I can't feel the difference between normal and sport damper modes anyway.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-12-2013, 09:01 AM	#12
Alan l. Major General 5428 Rep 8,801 Posts Drives: 2020 F95 X5M Competition Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: United States iTrader: (9)	I can't imagine lowering the car 1" from the ACS springs would cause catastrophic strut failure after 1K miles. If you slammed the car 2.5"+ then the argument is much more valid. 1" is still well within normal shock operating height imo and shouldn't cause much more wear if any. Bmw has to consider that someone who drives their cars might weigh 300lbs or constantly drives with a full load of passenger in the car with stuff in the trunk. That would make even a stock suspension car drop down at least 1" ride height. __________________
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07-12-2013, 01:23 PM	#14
Russkey Captain 155 Rep 751 Posts Drives: '12 BMW AW 550xi Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 550xi [10.00]	It's hard to blame the springs. I drove 20k+ miles with ACS springs and no problems so far. Fingers crossed __________________ '15 Porsche Macan S / Black & Garnet Red / 20" RS Spyder Wheels / CF trim / Red Calipers / Black Rear Badge. '12 AW 550xi / Dinan S2 / Arkym CF Spoiler / 3D Design Style Splitter / Eisenmann Race Exhaust / 20' HRE FF01 / ACS Springs / CF Grill / CF 3D Design Diffuser / Blue Calipers...
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07-13-2013, 12:19 PM	#16
Luminor513 Major 1243 Rep 1,492 Posts Drives: 2020 G07 x40i BSM/Blk Merino Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: South Florida iTrader: (0)	The blown strut is most likely caused by the shop installing the springs. If they don't properly compress the strut, or put any inappropriate side force on the rod, it can easily damage the strut. A one inch drop will not significantly degrade strut life, so a sudden damaged strut after spring install is due to improper installation. __________________ 2020 G07 x40i BSM/Blk Merino 2022 Audi E-tron S Mythos Blk/Blk Valcona
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07-13-2013, 08:04 PM	#19
superbuick Enlisted Member 1 Rep 30 Posts Drives: 535i Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: MA iTrader: (0)	I put on eibachs and within 300 miles had a rear shock completely blown out. It's the fault of the shock, not the install. The stock non-sport shocks on these cars are very close to their limit with the stock springs.
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07-13-2013, 09:09 PM	#20
ausfahrt Private First Class 33 Rep 177 Posts Drives: 2001 325i Touring Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: misery iTrader: (0)	I drove from the Midwest to Florida with a Car top carrier a wife and two kids with my ACS springs and no problems. I just had my car inspected, tires balanced and alignment they said everything is ok. I had them check it because I'm driving to San Diego with the family sometime this month. I did have a problem thinking the shock was bad due to the ACS Springs. But I was wrong. My front tires were out of balance and I had put too much air in the tires.
	Appreciate 0 Quote