Reconning and stiffening a rear beam

9th August 2009, 21:43

Does anyone want to tell me the parts i need to refurm a rear beam for a VTR. I was thinking of getting polybushes etc. to try and stiffen it up a bit. Any recomendations for stuff i can do to it while it's off the car. Cheers in advance.

10th August 2009, 15:13

I take it, it's just bearings and bushings then. Any ideas how to stiffen it all up a bit for cheap... I had a look at thiker torsion bars and anti-roll bars but £300 for a torsion bar is a bit more than i want to be spending at the moment.

10th August 2009, 15:14

Make sure the pins are in good condition before you spend money on it. If they have wear or are going then dont spend anything on it and get a new beam. They're bastards for going.

So jack up the rear
Wheels off
Disconnect brakes
Torsions bars out
Arb out
Then slide the trialing arm off the stub pin
That pin should be smoother than Mr Sheens cock. If its pitted or rough then its time for a new beam. You could just replace the bearings but in a few months they will start to wear on the pin again.

If thats the case, best bet is to get onto piggy123 on here and he can sort you with a new arb and arms with brand new pins on the end. Then fit new bearings (double up if you want) and refit everything. and pow youve got a new reconned beam. While its off you can replace the bushes easier aswell.

10th August 2009, 15:45

I've just picked up another beam to start refurbing, then when thats done i can swap it on to the car and refurb the other one and sell it on... hopefully that way i won't lose a load of money.

So when i take off the trailing arms, check the pin for pits. It should be nice and smooth. then when refitting, I can put two lots of bearings back on? What benefits would this have? and do i just get the bearings from shitroen or can i get them cheaper from europarts or the like?

11th August 2009, 09:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alanapone

I've just picked up another beam to start refurbing, then when thats done i can swap it on to the car and refurb the other one and sell it on... hopefully that way i won't lose a load of money.

So when i take off the trailing arms, check the pin for pits. It should be nice and smooth. then when refitting, I can put two lots of bearings back on? What benefits would this have? and do i just get the bearings from shitroen or can i get them cheaper from europarts or the like?

You will be able to see if they are worn when you take off the trailing arms, any signs of wearing and you'll need a new one.
With the bearings, buy two sets (i.e. for two saxo rear axles) as they come with the bearings and a little plasitc spacer. All you do is chop the spacer down so you can fit another set of bearings inside. This will reduce the load put on one bearing set and spread it over two. Thus making there life a bit longer. But as with saxo beams, even if you refurb one to the max (like you and me are doing) They will still only last some years untill it starts to wear again, but doing this now just helps your new beam live that little bit longer and be nice and tight. And if your doing it properly like this then theres no reason for the beam to go for quite a while.

Little way of telling if your beam is going, look at the back of the car, if the rear wheels have got a slight bit of camber (i.e. look like : / \ )
Then 99% your beam has a fair bit of wear, but even if they dont point in it can still be wearing inside.

11th August 2009, 14:34

I see, I'm going to start stripping the thing down now then so i'll have a look on ebay first for a set of bearings, then i'll nip to the citroen garage down the road and see what they charge for them. I'll give that a go, anything to prolong the life of this thing is a good thing i reckon. Thanks for the tips.

11th August 2009, 14:44

i went to pic some parts up from a bloke last night, he said always make sure the caps are in the ARB, and any other seals, and bugger some copper grease on things.

beats paying £300 lol

11th August 2009, 14:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankie

i went to pic some parts up from a bloke last night, he said always make sure the caps are in the ARB, and any other seals, and bugger some copper grease on things.

beats paying £300 lol

That's what i thought mate, I'm not shy of pulling things to bits, checking them and repairing if it's easy so i thought it can't be that much meither to sort it myself.... Famous last words though eh? "How hard can it be"

I'll take some pics as i do it and show you all how i get on.

11th August 2009, 15:41

my beam needs refurbing as drivers wheels is facing in but the condition of its good, should i get new bearings, bushes, arb and pins and be ok then!

11th August 2009, 17:06

maybe cheaper at the minute to get one off a newer age car... theirs loads about at the minute and as no one seems to be buying much, they're all quite cheap.

11th August 2009, 20:15

Well if putting a new one on may aswell as get it refurb as will be making car into track car.