Replacing rear beam, driveshafts, wheel bearings etc.

13th May 2010, 21:11

Im replacing pretty much all the suspension components on my car, and one of the bits that needs doing is the rear beam. I want a new/recon one so can anyone tell me the best place to get one from.

Also, when im fitting it i want to know what other ancillaries ill need to buy/replace to go with it. I've already got poly bushes for it allround and hel braided lines, but are there any other bolts, bushes, cables etc that would need replacing whilst im under there. Somone said about needing new copper pipes too?

As for the front end, im putting new wheel bearings in, do they need pressing in or can i just hammer them in? any special tools required to change the shafts?

I used to be a technician for aprilia racing and ktm europe for the past 5 years, so can do all this myself but just wanted to know anything out of the ordinary that may come up, as i work away and dont have time to faf about ordering parts while the cars blocking up the driveway! TA!

13th May 2010, 22:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dizzy

Im replacing pretty much all the suspension components on my car, and one of the bits that needs doing is the rear beam. I want a new/recon one so can anyone tell me the best place to get one from.

Also, when im fitting it i want to know what other ancillaries ill need to buy/replace to go with it. I've already got poly bushes for it allround and hel braided lines, but are there any other bolts, bushes, cables etc that would need replacing whilst im under there. Somone said about needing new copper pipes too?

As for the front end, im putting new wheel bearings in, do they need pressing in or can i just hammer them in? any special tools required to change the shafts?

I used to be a technician for aprilia racing and ktm europe for the past 5 years, so can do all this myself but just wanted to know anything out of the ordinary that may come up, as i work away and dont have time to faf about ordering parts while the cars blocking up the driveway! TA!

Best place for a Recon Rear Beam is IM Axles, theyre an affiliate on here aswell, also local to you down the A46 at Nottingham.

Fitting a new rear beam just requires a new handbrake cable ideally, there isnt any other essentials that need replacing. As mentioned though brake lines and the mounts can be replaced aswell.

Shafts are a straight forward easy fit, 30mm nut holding them in at the hub, passenger side just slides out, drivers side if its a VT will have a bearing carrier on with two nut/bolts holding the shaft in the carrier 10 or 13mm. Otherwise just slide straight out. New gearbox oil obviously will be needed.

Wheel bearings you will obviously do once your doing yourdriveshafts and have to be pressed into place, you can hammer them really, you'd do more damage to it tbh.

13th May 2010, 22:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by db_sax

Fitting a new rear beam just requires a new handbrake cable ideally,

Can I ask why you've said that?

13th May 2010, 22:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshB

Can I ask why you've said that?

Couse when you disconnect it you may aswell fit a fresh one.

Its like putting a fresh headgasket on without getting a new cambelt kit.

14th May 2010, 03:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by db_sax

Best place for a Recon Rear Beam is IM Axles, theyre an affiliate on here aswell, also local to you down the A46 at Nottingham.

Fitting a new rear beam just requires a new handbrake cable ideally, there isnt any other essentials that need replacing. As mentioned though brake lines and the mounts can be replaced aswell.

Shafts are a straight forward easy fit, 30mm nut holding them in at the hub, passenger side just slides out, drivers side if its a VT will have a bearing carrier on with two nut/bolts holding the shaft in the carrier 10 or 13mm. Otherwise just slide straight out. New gearbox oil obviously will be needed.

Wheel bearings you will obviously do once your doing yourdriveshafts and have to be pressed into place, you can hammer them really, you'd do more damage to it tbh.

Right so wheel bearings will be a garage job as i dont have a press. Would i need a new bearing carrier for the Drivers side driveshaft or will it come with one anyway.

I have Brembo discs and DS2500 pads to go on allround but forgot about the handbrake cable. As for the axle ill contact them and see about getting one picked up! Cheers!

14th May 2010, 10:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dizzy

Right so wheel bearings will be a garage job as i dont have a press. Would i need a new bearing carrier for the Drivers side driveshaft or will it come with one anyway.

I have Brembo discs and DS2500 pads to go on allround but forgot about the handbrake cable. As for the axle ill contact them and see about getting one picked up! Cheers!

Bearing carrier is just bracket the drivehsaft bearings case slots into! It holds the driveshaft.