Hi all, looking for some advice. 
my 19plate Ka+ Active has a broken rear suspension spring and has been stuck in garage since middle of December. The part is on back order and even ford themselves can't find an answer as to when it will arrive. Neither Ford or my garage are providing a hire car as both saying it's a supplier problem but how can they leave me without a car for months? 
I have looked for alternatives but part numbers don't match originals so I'm hesitant of buying. 
Can anyone advise next step or a way I can get them to give me a hire car? I really don't want to phone every scrap yard in the country to find a single coil spring.

Thanks x

18 minutes ago, Samramsay41 said:

19plate Ka+ Active has a broken rear suspension spring and has been stuck in garage since middle of December. The part is on back order and even ford themselves can't find an answer as to when it will arrive.

Why are you waiting for a coil spring from a Ford dealer ?

There are over 40 other makes, many of them a much better quality than the original available for next day delivery.

For example look at the range available from AutoDoc

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/coil-springs-10213/ford/ka/ka-2014

Just buy a used set of eBay and get them to fit them so as to keep you on the road. Plenty on there.  Simples. Only £25 a pair and 20 minutes to fit. I you still want new ones, just keep them on order and have them fitted when they arrive. 

33 minutes ago, unofix said:

Why are you waiting for a coil spring from a Ford dealer ?

There are over 40 other makes, many of them a much better quality than the original available for next day delivery.

For example look at the range available from AutoDoc

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/coil-springs-10213/ford/ka/ka-2014

Auto doc don't supply for my model, have tried all major online suppliers and no match for my car, it's a 2018 model

34 minutes ago, iantt said:

Just buy a used set of eBay and get them to fit them so as to keep you on the road. Plenty on there.  Simples. Only £25 a pair and 20 minutes to fit. I you still want new ones, just keep them on order and have them fitted when they arrive. 

How do I know they are the right ones as original part numbers don't match?

1 minute ago, Samramsay41 said:

Auto doc don't supply for my model, have tried all major online suppliers and no match for my car, it's a 2018 model

According to the AutoDoc website they have a range of springs for the 2014 onwards model

2 minutes ago, Samramsay41 said:

How do I know they are the right ones as original part numbers don't match?

Ford won't have gone to the trouble of changing the spring specs from 2016-2021 or whenever they stopped manufacturer esp the ka+. Up to you if you want to be without a car for months. There's no obligation to provide a courtesy car from any one. 

4 minutes ago, unofix said:

According to the AutoDoc website they have a range of springs for the 2014 onwards model

The OE part numbers don't match, how else do I know it is the right part?

Just now, Samramsay41 said:

The OE part numbers don't match, how else do I know it is the right part?

........ because if AutoDoc say they fit (enter your registration number) then they will fit. If they don't then you send them back at their expense under the terms of the returns policy.

It's almost like you don't want to have your car repaired ?

Every manufacturer has their own unique parts number system. Ford don't make the coil springs, they simply buy them in from companies who specialise in springs. They are given a Ford finis number by Ford, but the same spring will be available direct from the maker but with their part number. People change the type of springs on their cars all the time, some like them softer, some prefer a harder spring. Of all the parts on a car a pair of rear springs has to be one of the most straight forward of items to replace.

My main point is why would a major company like Ford not be able to supply an essential part like a spring for one of their cars that is 6 years old? I understand parts delays for 'added extras' or electrical components, but a suspension spring is essential for the car to drive. Why am I being forced to buy a part from another manufacturer?

Has anyone heard of any other recent parts delays for Ford parts?

3 minutes ago, unofix said:

........ because if AutoDoc say they fit (enter your registration number) then they will fit. If they don't then you send them back at their expense under the terms of the returns policy.

It's almost like you don't want to have your car repaired ?

Every manufacturer has their own unique parts number system. Ford don't make the coil springs, they simply buy them in from companies who specialise in springs. They are given a Ford finis number by Ford, but the same spring will be available direct from the maker but with their part number. People change the type of springs on their cars all the time, some like them softer, some prefer a harder spring. Of all the parts on a car a pair of rear springs has to be one of the most straight forward of items to replace.

Thank you, I understand that, my point is why can't Ford supply a straight forward rear spring or even an estimate on delivery?

6 minutes ago, Samramsay41 said:

Has anyone heard of any other recent parts delays for Ford parts?

There are major parts shortages for many manufactures not just Ford. Many such parts are/were manufactured in the Ukraine, who are having a few issues at the moment.

3 hours ago, iantt said:

Ford won't have gone to the trouble of changing the spring specs from 2016-2021 or whenever they stopped manufacturer esp the ka+.

I'm not so sure about that?  The Active trims generally got raised suspension with unique springs not fitted to any other trim.  At least on Focus & Fiesta.  Active trim wasn't available until about 2018 iirc.

A pair of genuine Ford springs available for a KA+ Active

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/364863589151

29 minutes ago, unofix said:

A pair of genuine Ford springs available for a KA+ Active

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/364863589151

Thank you for the link and the time you have put in looking for me but these are not suitable for my car, as the previous comment suggests my car is an Active model with raised suspension not a standard Ka+, nowhere in the eBay listing does it mention Active model. 

I appreciate the effort, thank you.

1 hour ago, TomsFocus said:

I'm not so sure about that?  The Active trims generally got raised suspension with unique springs not fitted to any other trim.  At least on Focus & Fiesta.  Active trim wasn't available until about 2018 iirc.

Thank you for your comment, my Ka+Active does have higher suspension than standard. There are plenty of the standard springs available out there online but can't find the longer ones, hence my issue. Thank you for the insight.

What is the Ford part number of your coil spring ?

32 minutes ago, Samramsay41 said:

Thank you for your comment, my Ka+Active does have higher suspension than standard. There are plenty of the standard springs available out there online but can't find the longer ones, hence my issue. Thank you for the insight.

Usually I'd recommend searching eBay for your model plus 'breaking'.  But I can only see one on there, and I'd be surprised if the rear springs weren't snapped looking at the way it's been rear ended.  Still might be worth an ask though.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/267133487642?

 

You could try a custom spring manufacturer.  They might have access to Ford specs, or be able to copy your good spring.  I have no idea of the costs though.  Might not be as bad as we'd think.

https://springcoil.co.uk/spring/suspension-springs/

This one has been sandwiched as well but not quite as badly so the rear springs might have survived.  Not sure about postage from NI as springs are quite heavy.  Still worth an ask though.

https://www.usedcarsni.com/2018-Ford-Ka-1-2-85-Active-5dr-343746057

7 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Usually I'd recommend searching eBay for your model plus 'breaking'.  But I can only see one on there, and I'd be surprised if the rear springs weren't snapped looking at the way it's been rear ended.  Still might be worth an ask though.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/267133487642?

 

You could try a custom spring manufacturer.  They might have access to Ford specs, or be able to copy your good spring.  I have no idea of the costs though.  Might not be as bad as we'd think.

https://springcoil.co.uk/spring/suspension-springs/

Thanks for this Tom, definitely worth an ask.

I'm due a definitive answer from Ford on Tuesday so if they can't source or estimate delivery date for the spring or provide an alternative, I might as well sell mine. Shame cause I love driving the car but it's useless if I can't get spare parts when it breaks. I've only owned it two years.

Your comments on this thread have really helped me understand so thank you x