I noticed a few days ago a loud clonk from the drivers side front wheel over rough ground/potholes, also the drivers side dropped down an inch or so.

Would I be correct to assume a broken spring ?

This is my first Ford and only had it for 10 months, up to this point it's performed faultlessly. Hence my knowledge of Fords is very limited.

Broken road springs are a common problem on a Focus.

They are not usually difficult to spot. Just put your hand in on the spring and run your fingers round following the spring to the base. If you know what to look for, it can be found just with the MK1 eye ball.

I bet the bottom coil has fractured.

Get out there and check it now. If indeed the failure is at the bottom of the spring then with further use the remaining spring can become dislodged and pierce the tyre.

Let us know what you have found.

ScaniaPBman.

Aye, sounds like the spring.  you'll need to get it jacked up or on the ramps and wheel off to inspect it. On my Focus it was always the top third that went.  

Thank you ScaniaPBman and Ennvoqation for your prompt replies, that'll be the first job in the morning.

I'll report back once I've checked things out 😉

If you just shove your hand up behind wheel and feel, be careful as it can be very sharp where it breaks

Well I can confirm the spring is well and truly...... distressed 😀

Springs and shock absorbers ordered, not sure what else I'll be needing?

 

It is a good to replace the top bearing at the same time. The old one will probably fall to bits when you dismantle the strut, even if it doesn't it will be worn. 

9 minutes ago, Tizer said:

It is a good to replace the top bearing at the same time. The old one will probably fall to bits when you dismantle the strut, even if it doesn't it will be worn. 

 

Bearings now ordered, thanks for the info Tizer 😉

This video should help if you have not done this job before.

When I re-assembled the new shock absorber onto the hub carrier it would not fit, too tight. I had to remove the thick paint coating to get it in.

Any problems just ask.

ScaniaPBman.

I had watched a couple of 'how too' videos prior to this one and and it seemed odd that the windscreen wipers had to be removed to replace the springs! 😃

Thankfully this turned out not to be the case as shown in the above video by the 'Savage Garage', an excellent video without any BS.

I'm pleased to say that replacing both springs was relatively straightforward, the only slight issue (as mentioned by ScaniaPBman) was the thick paint on the strut needed a bit of sanding off to get it to fit. I noticed the big bush on the wishbones was worn so I'll be replacing both wishbones assemblies shortly, it's actually more cost effective (and less work) to replace the complete assemblies rather than just the bushes.