Removing rear axle on westcoast to lower

1. ReadieeVTS Established Member Joined: May 2009 milton keynes Posts: 1084 saxo Mk1 westie VTS saxo mk2 VTR S1 106 16v

   #1 29th November 2009, 11:40

   hi guys i took my westie to me mates garage yesterday to lower on the rear, but we still had a Bitch of a job trying to get the torsion bar's out with all the right tools, would it be easier to remove the rear axle from the car so we can take some heat to it and have more room to hit the torsion bar out? ive already lowered the front of it and the arse is sitting up in the air a little bit lol Cheers Lee
2. frankie Saxperience Addict Joined: Apr 2006 Frome, down deepest, darkest zummerset Posts: 12971 VTRallye

   #2 29th November 2009, 11:46

   its easier to heat it off the car yes.
   
   there are 4 bolts to under the rear bench, and 2 in the floor pan under the carpet in the boot.
   
   you also need to disconnect the brake lines and handbrake.
   
   its quite easy to remove, just fucking heavy lol
3. user_4681 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Dec 2004 Grimsby United Kingdom (England) Posts: 5489 SUPERCHARGED saxo vts

   #3 29th November 2009, 11:56

   yes 45 kilo to be exact. ive sold and posted a few
4. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

   #4 29th November 2009, 12:32

   Once it's off the car any reference points for measuring the lowering is gone
   
   hit it properly you don't need heat
   all you'll do heating is ruin the beam
   the bars are a specific material and in theory you can damage there function by heating (ever heard of heat treating)
   and also you'll burn the grease out the bearings damaging there function too
   
   I know of guys who've lowered about 100 saxos now and haven't once used heat
5. ReadieeVTS Established Member Joined: May 2009 milton keynes Posts: 1084 saxo Mk1 westie VTS saxo mk2 VTR S1 106 16v

   #5 29th November 2009, 13:16

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by AlexB Once it's off the car any reference points for measuring the lowering is gone hit it properly you don't need heat all you'll do heating is ruin the beam the bars are a specific material and in theory you can damage there function by heating (ever heard of heat treating) and also you'll burn the grease out the bearings damaging there function too I know of guys who've lowered about 100 saxos now and haven't once used heat

   we got all the measurements of what the rear axle sits at from standard when its on the car and what i want it to be lowered, i only want to take it out so we can slide the torsion bars out then fit the axle back then slide the torsion bars back into how much i want it lowered by, Me and mate spent 3 hours in his dads workshop with all the right tools trying to remove the torsion bar and it still wasnt having it... so removing the axle may be the only way...
6. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

   #6 29th November 2009, 13:37

   What are the right tools?
   Big fuck off lump hammer
   bit of bar and an axle stand
   sit the bar against the torsion bar on the axle stand to stop it deflecting and smash it through
   pulling is a waste of time
   push it through
   move the arm out the way and push it back
   
   never had an issue
   just have to be persistant
   worst has taken about an hour per bar to nock out
   effort now saves needing a new beam in a few months
7. user_7096 Established Member Joined: Sep 2005 Market Bosworth Posts: 2482 106 XSi 1360cc

   #7 29th November 2009, 14:54

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by AlexB Once it's off the car any reference points for measuring the lowering is gone hit it properly you don't need heat all you'll do heating is ruin the beam the bars are a specific material and in theory you can damage there function by heating (ever heard of heat treating) and also you'll burn the grease out the bearings damaging there function too I know of guys who've lowered about 100 saxos now and haven't once used heat

   who would that be alex, hmmmmmm
8. safcdaft L-plater Joined: Aug 2008 Blyth Posts: 31 Currentley Vts Mk1, Previous Corsa GSI Escort X

   #8 29th November 2009, 15:18

   I had to replace my rer beam, so took the opportunity to lower the replacement of the car. Either way its always a bitch to release the torrsion bars
9. Sparco_Tom Saxperience Addict Joined: Jan 2007 Aylesbury, Bucks Posts: 12836 Yeaaahh Fiesta

   #9 30th November 2009, 10:46

   Like alex says really just beat the living shit out of it. New beams can be very expensive to buy, will save you wasting money in the future