explorer bob

Hi again John, Thanks for this info it may be very useful as these guys (according to their website)have had 70 years experience in suspensions and I would think they have learned something in this period of time. As I have just said to Andrew above I will contact Kedron again after this bit of research in finding any other experiences out there like mine. Though it is looking like I may be Robinson Crusoe! Thanks Bob

Hi Andrew, Thanks for the response and advice. I is good to hear that Kedrons have travelled the same roads without problems as I intend to head back that way next year via Strzelecki and Oodnadatta tracks once I have this problem fixed. I will again give Kedron a call and see what they have to say. Their response when I was stuck in Birdsville (when Joe Hockey's budget was released!) was rather ordinary I thought. I more wanted to know of other similar experiences to mine before possibly pressuring them to help. Thanks again Bob

Hi John, Thankyou for responding to my post. To answer your couple of questions: The first spring broke 150km south of Birdsville on the track (first car came by after 5 hours!) Granted the road was not the best in sections though I only travelled at 60-70 kmph, never greater. Tyre pressures were around 35psi though could have been lower maybe in hindsight. Having been a bus operator in NSW for many years (22 buses)I do have an idea how to maintain and treat vehicles. I am not rough with anything, not even the missus! With the buses as they aged some would have a spring sag, which I would have reset. Though never broken one even on the ones that did long distance charter on occasions. The second spring broke approx. 12,000km later between St George and Goondiwindi in Sth QLD. After the Birdsville track or Mt Isa I did not travel on any further gravel roads. The road I was on at the time of the break it was beautiful bitumen and travelling at approx. 90-95kmph which is my usual maximum speed. I purchased my van when 2 years old. The previous owners said they had broken a spring, unfortunately I did not ask which one as they said at the time it was a faulty manufacture and I did not pursue the conversation and I can no longer contact them. Therefore it is 3 spring breaks in approx. 25,000km.... not good! I cannot believe that I am the only Kedron owner to have this problem Thanks again Bob

I purchased a XC 2010 1 year ago and have just returned from a 15,000 km trip to various parts of AUS. My van has the basic spring suspension made by 'Vehicle Components' in Brisbane. On this trip I broke 2 springs, both sides at rear at different times. Both springs (main) broke in the same place, approx. 3 inches (75mm) from the hanger pin on the rear end of the rear springs. I was not overloaded as I put the van on a weighbridge and was 200kgs under maximum. I spoke to Kedron in Brisbane at the time of the first break and was told to call the manufacturer, Vehicle Components and told they will help you. They did, they sold me a new one each time. A rather poor response I thought from a manufacturer that prides itself on building tough and rugged vans. Has anyone had a similar problem with breaking springs on these vans? Any ideas suggestion would be appreciated.. Bob