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Fiat with Two Broken Springs

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Fiat with Two Broken Springs

Fiat with Two Broken Springs
Fiat with Two Broken Springs

Fiat with Two Broken Springs

Potholes have a lot to answer for on the roads of Yorkshire, and this week we saw yet another classic example of the damage they can cause. This time, it was a rather unlucky Fiat 500 owner who suffered what you might call a double whammy.

One hefty pothole, one nasty bang… and two broken suspension springs.

A noisy arrival at Pellon Tyres

The little Fiat rattled and banged its way into Pellon Tyres and Autocentre, sounding anything but happy. The customer knew straight away something wasn’t right – clunking noises, a poor ride, and that unsettling feeling that the car just wasn’t sitting properly anymore.

It didn’t take long for us to diagnose the fault. A quick inspection confirmed that both suspension springs had snapped, something we’re seeing far more often these days thanks to the state of the roads around Halifax and Calderdale.

Fiat with Two Broken Springs
Fiat with Two Broken Springs

What actually happens when a spring breaks? Fiat with Two Broken Springs

Suspension springs are designed to absorb bumps, dips, and rough surfaces. But they’re not indestructible. When a car hits a pothole hard – especially at speed or when the hole is hidden by rainwater – the shock load can be enough to crack or snap a spring.

In this case, the impact was severe enough to break two springs, which explains the awful noises and the way the car was handling.

A broken spring can cause:

  • Loud knocking or banging noises
  • Uneven ride height
  • Poor handling and stability
  • Damage to tyres
  • An MOT failure

Left unchecked, it can even lead to further suspension damage.

Fiat with Two Broken Springs
first broken spring

The repair – done properly, first time: Fiat with Two Broken Springs

The job went to Alex, our suspension specialist, who replaced the broken springs with new ones, making sure everything was seated correctly and checked over thoroughly. Once fitted, the Fiat 500 was transformed – quiet again, sitting right, and driving exactly as it should.

The customer drove away relieved, smiling, and very glad he’d not tried to “put up with it” any longer.

Fiat with Two Broken Springs
second broken spring

Why potholes are such a problem round here

Let’s be honest, the roads around Halifax, Calderdale, and the surrounding villages can be brutal. We’ve got:

  • Steep hills
  • Narrow, twisting roads
  • Heavy traffic
  • Freeze-thaw weather in winter

All of that takes its toll on the road surface. Potholes often appear suddenly, and by the time you spot them, it’s too late.

Small cars like the Fiat 500 are especially vulnerable. Short wheelbases and firmer suspension mean the impact is often sharper, and suspension components feel it straight away.

Fiat with Two Broken Springs
first new spring ready to fit back

Why you should avoid potholes if you can: Fiat with Two Broken Springs

Easier said than done, we know – but avoiding potholes really is worth it where possible. Impacts can cause damage to:

What looks like “just a bang” at the time can turn into a costly repair a few days later when noises start or tyres wear unevenly.

If you do hit one and notice:

  • new noises
  • pulling to one side
  • steering wheel off-centre
  • or a harsh ride

get it checked sooner rather than later.

Can you claim from the council? Fiat with Two Broken Springs

In some cases, yes – you can.

If your car is damaged by a pothole, you may be able to claim compensation from the local council responsible for that road, such as Calderdale Council.

Here’s what helps your chances:

  1. Photograph the pothole
    Get clear pictures showing size and depth (a ruler or shoe helps).
  2. Note the exact location
    Road name, nearby house numbers, landmarks.
  3. Report the pothole
    Do this as soon as possible on the council website.
  4. Keep all receipts
    Repairs, parts, labour – keep everything.
  5. Submit a claim
    Councils have online forms, though they may argue whether they were aware of the defect.

It’s not guaranteed, but many drivers do succeed, especially if the pothole had already been reported.

Final thoughts from Pellon Tyres: Fiat with Two Broken Springs

This Fiat 500 is a perfect example of how quickly pothole damage can escalate. One hit, two broken springs, and a car that was no longer safe or comfortable to drive.

Thankfully, it was diagnosed quickly and repaired properly, and the customer was back on the road without further trouble.

If you’ve hit a pothole and your car doesn’t feel right, don’t ignore it. Around Halifax and Calderdale, our roads can be unforgiving, and suspension, tyres, and wheels take the brunt of it.

Pop in and let us have a look – catching problems early can save a lot of money and a lot of stress.

Jaguar with Pothole Damaged Wheel

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Jaguar with Pothole Damaged Wheel

Jaguar with Pothole Damaged Wheel
Jaguar with Pothole Damaged Wheel

Jaguar with Pothole Damaged Wheel

Things never seem to slow down here at Pellon Tyres, and that’s no bad thing. Every week brings something a bit different through the doors, and recently we had a job that really sums up the state of Britain’s roads at the moment.

Jaguar I-PACE meets a Yorkshire pothole: Jaguar with Pothole Damaged Wheel

One interesting customer came in with a Jaguar I-PACE that had taken a hefty knock after hitting a pothole. Sadly, this is something we’re seeing more and more of around Halifax and Calderdale in general.

The impact had damaged both the alloy wheel and the tyre. The tyre in question was a chunky 265/35 R22, and we replaced it with an Imperial economy tyre, same size, with a 102Y load rating, which is perfectly suitable for the weight and performance of the vehicle. It’s a sensible option for customers who want to keep costs under control without compromising safety.

The alloy wheel itself was cracked and buckled – the sort of damage that would have some main dealers sucking air through their teeth and talking about replacement wheels costing thousands.

Jaguar with Pothole Damaged Wheel
Jaguar with Pothole Damaged Wheel

Repair rather than replace – common sense wins

Instead of going down the eye-watering replacement route, we removed the wheel and took it to a local specialist welder we’ve trusted for years. As usual, they did a cracking job, repairing the alloy properly and safely. Once refitted and balanced, the wheel was spot on again.

That one decision saved our customer a small fortune, and it’s exactly why using an experienced independent garage still makes sense.

Jaguar with Pothole Damaged Wheel
Crack before repair

A bit of Jaguar I-PACE history in the UK: Jaguar with Pothole Damaged Wheel

The Jaguar I-PACE is an interesting motor. Launched in 2018, it was Jaguar’s first all-electric production car and a bit of a bold move at the time. Built in Austria but designed very much with British roads in mind, it showed that Jaguar could still innovate while keeping that familiar blend of comfort and performance.

In fact, the I-PACE went on to win World Car of the Year 2019, which wasn’t bad going at all. You see quite a few of them around Yorkshire now, especially with company drivers and folk making the move to electric motoring.

That said, even the cleverest electric car in the world can’t cope with the state of some of our local roads.

Jaguar with Pothole Damaged Wheel
Fully repaired wheel

Potholes – a real UK problem: Jaguar with Pothole Damaged Wheel

Let’s be honest, potholes are becoming a national disgrace. Winter weather, heavy traffic, and stretched council budgets all take their toll, and tyres and suspension parts are often the first casualties.

We regularly see:

And it doesn’t matter whether you’re driving a small hatchback or a high-end electric Jaguar.

Jaguar with Pothole Damaged Wheel
New tyre label

Can you claim from the council? Jaguar with Pothole Damaged Wheel

The good news is yes, you can sometimes claim, although it does take a bit of effort.

Here’s some practical advice if you hit a pothole:

  1. Take photos straight away
    Get clear pictures of the pothole, ideally with something showing its depth (a tape measure or shoe helps).
  2. Note the exact location
    Road name, nearest house number, landmarks – the more detail the better.
  3. Keep all receipts
    Tyres, wheel repairs, tracking – keep everything.
  4. Report the pothole
    Use your local council’s website to report it as dangerous.
  5. Submit a claim
    Councils usually have an online claim form. Be prepared – they may say they didn’t know about the pothole, which is their usual get-out.

It’s not guaranteed, but plenty of drivers do get money back, especially if the pothole has already been reported by others.

Final thoughts from the workshop

This Jaguar I-PACE job is a good example of how practical repairs and local know-how can save customers serious money. A sensible tyre choice, a proper alloy repair, and an honest approach beat unnecessary replacements every time.

If you’ve clouted a pothole and you’re worried about your tyres or wheels, it’s always best to get things checked sooner rather than later. What looks minor can sometimes turn into a bigger problem down the line.

halifax-pothole-spring-repair

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halifax-pothole-spring-repair

halifax-pothole-spring-repair
halifax-pothole-spring-repair

halifax-pothole-spring-repair

Potholes Strike Again in Halifax – Another Victim for Pellon Tyres!

It’s been another crackingly busy week here at Pellon Tyre & Autocentre in Halifax, and once again our old enemy has been keeping us on our toes — potholes. Honestly, the state of the roads around Halifax and the wider Calderdale area seems to get worse by the week. Whether you’re heading down Queens Road, cutting over Mount Tabor, or travelling up towards Sowerby Bridge, you’re guaranteed to meet a crater or two big enough to swallow a wheel.

And once again, the potholes have been claiming victims.

This week we saw a right mix of damage: bent steering arms, damaged alloy wheels, and a surprising number of broken coil springs — the sort of stuff you’d expect after a winter of icy mornings and frozen tarmac. The combination of cold snaps and endless traffic is playing havoc with the road surface.

One job in particular stood out: a tidy little Honda Jazz, brought in by a lady from the Skircoat Green area. She’d heard a loud rattling and banging from the front of her car, especially when going over uneven roads — which, let’s face it, is pretty much every road around Halifax these days!

halifax-pothole-spring-repair
halifax-pothole-spring-repair

Diagnosing the Honda Jazz: halifax-pothole-spring-repair

When she rolled onto the forecourt, she told us the noise had started suddenly after hitting what she described as “a hole the size of Shibden Valley”. She wasn’t far off — there’s a nasty pothole near Salterhebble that’s been catching drivers out all winter.

Dale got the Honda up on the ramp, gave it a good check over, and there it was:
a cleanly snapped front coil spring.

To be honest, we weren’t surprised. Cold weather weakens already stressed metal, and a sudden hit from a pothole is often the final straw. Springs on smaller cars like the Jazz tend to go with a real “crack” when they break, and the loose end rattles around every time the wheel moves.

Once we sourced and fitted a new spring, gave the car a quick once-over, and made sure the tracking was all right, she was good to go. The lady was relieved—she’d been worried she’d done something serious—and she headed home happy, especially now the temperature is dropping again. Nobody wants to be stranded in the cold with a poor car.

halifax-pothole-spring-repair
New spring fitted and in place

Why Halifax Drivers Are Seeing More Broken Springs: halifax-pothole-spring-repair

Pothole season is definitely upon us. Calderdale Council do their best, but the sheer number of freeze-thaw cycles we get up here plays havoc with the tarmac. Water gets into small cracks, freezes, and expands, and before long there’s a hole big enough to damage even the toughest suspension.

At Pellon Tyres we’re seeing:

  • Broken coil springs

  • Damaged shocks

  • Bent steering arms

  • Split tyres from pothole impacts

  • Buckled alloy wheels

If you hear rattling or knocking or feel the steering pulling after hitting a pothole, it’s worth popping in. We’ll happily take a quick look—better safe than sorry, especially in the colder months.

A Little Bit of Honda History in the UK: halifax-pothole-spring-repair

Since we had a Honda on the ramp, it’s worth remembering just how important Honda has been to British motoring.

Honda first made a proper impact in the UK during the 1970s with small, efficient cars that suited our narrow roads and rising fuel prices. By the 1980s, Honda had partnered with Rover, helping bring models like the Rover 200 and 400 to market—both heavily based on Honda designs.

Then came a major milestone:
Honda opened its Swindon factory in 1985, which went on to produce over 3 million cars, including the Civic and CR-V. For years, you’d see thousands of Swindon-built Hondas driving around Calderdale — reliable, quiet, and great for handling the hills of Halifax.

The Honda Jazz, like the one we repaired this week, has always been a favourite with local drivers: economical, perfect for town driving, and surprisingly roomy.

A Local Note — and a Little Holiday Inspiration

Talking to the lady about her spring replacement reminded me how many Halifax folk are fed up with local road conditions and dreaming of a break. If anyone’s planning a spring or summer escape, our holiday home near the Yorkshire coast at Thornwick Bay is already taking bookings for next season.
Take a look at places like the Flamborough Head walks listed on the Lucky Paws website — perfect inspiration for a getaway after a stressful winter of dodging potholes.