rear axle change

1. Rob-C Established Member Joined: Nov 2007 Maidstone Posts: 1223 Citroen Saxo VTR MK2

   #1 29th September 2009, 13:01

   is it possible to change the rear axle without disconnecting brake lines?
   
   like just removing the caliper etc?
2. Dan-Subtlem Forum Section Moderator Joined: Aug 2006 Westgate on Sea/Bexley Posts: 17223 Series 1 Rallye

   #2 29th September 2009, 13:20

   no its not, you wil need to unbolt the brake lines, undo the 4 bolts to remove the axle, disconnect the handbrake cable and then replace with the new beam and connect up.
3. user_22749 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2008 N.Wales Posts: 7746 e46 M Sport

   #3 29th September 2009, 13:24

   And make sure you WD-40 the bolts for the brakes lines as i rounded one of mine of and its a bitch to tighten up again!!
4. Rob-C Established Member Joined: Nov 2007 Maidstone Posts: 1223 Citroen Saxo VTR MK2

   #4 29th September 2009, 13:27

   wheres best place to unbolt the brake lines
   
   the caliper and then bracket with 2 bolts that is on the axle?
5. Noddy Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2007 Maidstone, Kent Posts: 4121 Mk2 Posi Blue 1.1

   #5 29th September 2009, 13:28

   if you unscrew the brake fluid reservoir and put a bag over the hole and then screw the cap back on before you undo the brake lines, then the amount of fluid that will escape from the system will be reduced..
   
   I found a small bung to put over the end of the lines as well when i swapped my beam over. This also helped to reduce the amount of fluid lost..

   1 user thanked this post: user_50515
6. user_22749 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2008 N.Wales Posts: 7746 e46 M Sport

   #6 29th September 2009, 13:41

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Rob-C wheres best place to unbolt the brake lines the caliper and then bracket with 2 bolts that is on the axle?

   Where the nut is
   
   On the driver side you have to disconnect it from the caliper
   On the passenger side i disconnected it from the first joint after the the caliper.
   
   Undo the brake reserviour lid in the engine bay abd put a brick on the brake pedal then no brake fluid will be lost...apart from a few little drops
7. Rob-C Established Member Joined: Nov 2007 Maidstone Posts: 1223 Citroen Saxo VTR MK2

   #7 29th September 2009, 15:02

   ok mate thanks for the advice
   
   so if i undo the lid put a brick on sumin on the pedal then undo everything it will be easier to bleed yeah?
   
   or put the brick on after it all? :s
8. user_22749 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2008 N.Wales Posts: 7746 e46 M Sport

   #8 29th September 2009, 15:51

   By putting a brick on the brake pedal it stops all the brake fluid pissing out everywhere.
   You leave the brick on the pedal untill all the pipes are connected.
   When you think they are all connected take the brick off, put the lid back on the reserviour and push the pedal. If any fluid comes out the brake line then its not tight enough. If no fluid comes out then your fine to bleed the brakes
9. Rob-C Established Member Joined: Nov 2007 Maidstone Posts: 1223 Citroen Saxo VTR MK2

   #9 29th September 2009, 19:55

   just let you all know i changed the rear axle without disconnecting any brake lines!!
10. col101 Frequent Poster Joined: Mar 2009 York Posts: 768 VTR

    #10 29th September 2009, 20:19

    Don't the flexi pipes run under the axle?
    Seems if your gonna go to the trouble of changing the axle, bleeding some brakes is a piece of piss!
11. Rob-C Established Member Joined: Nov 2007 Maidstone Posts: 1223 Citroen Saxo VTR MK2

    #11 29th September 2009, 20:57

    well the new axle didnt have brakes on it so had to use my own calipers and discs
    
    so i unbolted the calipers shocks and braking brackets slide the axle back to clear the fuel tank then pushed it backwards and slide the pipes over it all... job done