Plan for today was more door painting prep, but my sanding blocks were getting a little worn, so ordered a couple from Toolstation, and got in the car to go and collect.
As I pulled off the drive, the was a horrendous loud clunking as I turned the wheel. Went round the block, back on the drive to investigate. Steering fluid was a bit low (it leaks a bit), but should not be that. Wondered if it was steering rack, but soon found out it was not. Went to Jack up with the trolley Jack, and it would not fit under at the usual spot. Looked at the space above the tyre to the wheel arch - very small! Front spring was now a 2 peice affair. So off to Eurocarparts for a spring, and Halfords for compressors, as ECP had none of the cheapest, and the next ones were £70. Got some from Halfords for £32, so total of £71 for part and tools.
Strip down was reasonably straightforward, even the rusty M12 clamp bolt at the bottom of the strut.
Worst bit was aligning the bolt holes on the top bearing carrier to line up when re-assembling.
All sorted now, went over 170k last week, see how long I can make it last.