Spring Breakage/replacement

["Colin Barfoot" <Colin_Barfoot@msn.com>]

Here in N.B. Canada we have annual motor vehicle inspections- for safety and 
this year they found that both of my front springs were boken, (classic 
fracture -45 degree break to a point est. 1-2 " missing).  Has anyone else 
experienced this? I also had to replace the rear front control arm bushings 
front break lines and front pads and rotors.
The performance difference hadn't been noticeable so I'm wondering what the 
effect/safety implication is?

Since 2 new springs from the dealer were $400 each I got new springs H&R and 
shocks Boge turbo gas front and hydraulic rears for about $100 cdn less 
including duty gst and pst!  (RD and GPR same price) I had thought hard about 
calling eric but with the new baby etc 2 1/2 times the price was too much. My 
next choice was Eibach since they susposedly had only 3/4" lowering in the 
front vs 1-1/2" for H&R but apparently they are no longer made, and after 
calling almost everyone no one had old stock. 

The final result has the front control arms almost level where before the were 
angled down  approx 10 degrees.  I thought level was ideal for reduced bump 
steer (the main reason Eric uses less lowering??)?  Could someone please tell 
me the true story.

I haven't really had a chance to evaluate the new suspension yet since the 
rear control arm bushings were also worn badly (not identified by the mech 
doing the safety inspection?)  New tie rods- complete hopefilly in transitfrom 
GPR $100US each approx (the tie rod ends were $250 each cdn from the dealer).

Thanks for any feed back.
Colin 
86 5000 CD Quattro 293,000 km