How to identify genuine Sachs coil springs?

[leedsguy]

Just purchased 2 rear Sachs coil springs - at least that's what I ordered, from a well known on-line retailer. They are rear coil springs for a 2002 Skoda Fabia Hatchback 1.4 8v (engine code AQW). The Sachs part number I gleaned from their catalogue is 996 657 (OE equivalent part number 6Q0 511 115 K).

 

One came in a Sachs box, the other in a KME box. KME, as far as I can tell, are not affiliated with Sachs, Boge, or the parent company ZF. I queried the different box at the time, but the sales man just said it was the same spring in a different box.

 

If what I have is a Sachs spring in another box I'm happy. If I've paid more for Sachs and got two of the cheap ones with one in a Sachs box...

 

The ends are jagged, and not cut straight and flat - although they are covered with the black coating.

 

The one in the Sachs box, it states 74351 T268567.

The one in the KME box says 74351 T324524.

 

There is no branding or other markings.

 

Found this picture of a Sachs spring. I notice it clearly identifies the brand, and the ends are cut straight.

 

 

Now the thing is what to do if they are not genuine. I'd hate the retailer to get away with it. Suppose there's nothing I could do other than request a refund, contact trading standards, and the manufacturer?

 

TIA

[Bang!]

Ask Sachs. Starting with the part numbers and descriptions might get you a result, or trigger interest.

 

You dont even really know if one is real and one doob, measuring the coil girths with a micrometer in a few places might help resolve that issue (presuming they look identical).

 

However, its a ten year old low power engine in a hatchback, so if it sits even once both spings are in place - if they dont snap you are unlikely to have any real issues.

[Conniff]

I think you owe it to yourself, the company and anyone interested in quality over price as well as safety to report your suspiciions to the company, there is a couple of email addresses where you should be able to get initial advice.

 

 

ZF Lemforder UK Ltd.

 

Birmingham International Park

Bickenhill Lane

Solihull, West Midlands B37 7GN

 

Phone: +44 121 526 4441

Fax: +44 121 782 4600

 

 

ZF Lemforder UK Ltd.

 

Heath Road

Postfach P.O. Box 35

Darlaston

Wednesbury, West Midlands WS10 8BH

 

Phone: +44 121 526 4441

Fax: +44 121 526 3579

 

ZF Services UK Ltd.

 

Eldon Way, Crick Industrial Estate

NN6 7SL Crick, Northamptonshire

 

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +44 844 2570333

Fax: +44 1788 823829

Homepage: www.zf.com/uk

 

ZF Services UK Ltd.

 

Abbeyfield Road

Lenton, Nottingham NG7 2SX

 

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +44 844 2570333

Fax: +44 115 986 92 61

Homepage: www.zf.com/uk

 

 

Mind you, there are quite a few companies in the group and heliosuk would probably know more.

[leedsguy]

@Bang! - Yes you're correct, and of course the Fabia isn't a great handling car as standard, even in the VRS or 2 litre guise. However, for whatever reasons I chose to spend a little extra, £7.20 per spring, on better branded ones. If I got ones which would otherwise have cost £7.20 less, then I want my £14.40 back.

 

@Conniff - thanks for rooting out those UK contact details, I only found the German ones. Have sent an email to all 3 email addresses now. If no contact soon will give them a ring.

[heliosuk]

Whoa!!!

 

To the best of my knowledge Sachs do not produce in the UK. The ZF companies quoted are nothing to do with springs however they are quite helpful and will point you in the right direction. If you get no positive response drop me a PM. The cut of the ends usually indicates a cold coiled CMM produced spring. These invariably have a tang and don't really affect the spring performance on light weight car such as the Skoda. Hot rolled springs on former usually have a cleaner end condition as the metal is softer at the cut off point. On really big volume produced cars, such as in the VW group, it is highly unlikely that the original is produced hot rolled. Takes longer and is more expensive. It is not unusual though to see a tang and is especially prominant on a run of springs nearing the end of a tool change.

 

You cannot determine the exact spring by measuring the thickness after paint has been applied either. All design dimensions are pre paint as the paint application process is difficult to control.

 

The spring will have a series of numbers, usually a part number and a date produced code. It is these that need checking and correlating to the manufactuers production records. Apart from going through an exhaustive test process it my be difficult to prove a spring is a snide part but it is wise to let Sachs know there are suspicions as it does happen.

 

Ask the supplier for provinence, they should be able to get that quite easily.

[MARTIN3030]

ZF Lemforder are OEM and cover all the VAG BMW Merc and Opel vehicles.

Sachs main distributor in the UK used to be Scobro (Schofield and Brown) based in Sussex.

[leedsguy]

Have not received any response or acknowledgement from ZF. As far as I can tell from a bit more digging, Euro Car Part's part numbers changed from being KME springs, to being Sachs. This suggests that KME springs suddenly became re-branded as Sachs, and at best all I have is a newer one and an old stock one. AFAIK Sachs do not make springs themselves. This suggests the branding is merely used to increase the perceived value of the product. I think Sachs focus more on shock absorbers and clutches.