Rear Axle Problem (Powerflex Bushes)

6th June 2010, 22:54

Fitted my Oilite rear axle today with Powerflex bushes and was planning to fit the rear shocks but found the axle had dropped off one of the bushes slightly.

So before doing anymore i tried to sort the problem out as it looked like the bolts weren't going in straight. First i slacken the passenger side (problematic side) bolts and eventually removed them made no progress as i end up with problems on the other bush too. So next i slacked the drivers side bolts too for more movement, which i got but still the axle wouldn'tt stay on the bush, spent nearly 2 hours trying to work it out but the best i achieved was getting back to how it was when i first found it...

Any ideas or help?

I'm thinking the following but not sure if any are the solution...

1. Remove the tape so the bush has got some room to move and the axle will hopefully pull tight?

2. Add more tape so that the bush is a much tighter fit so the axle can't drop off?

3. I've put the washers in the wrong places so the bolt are not supporting the axle correctly?

4. Leave it it's fine? (not keen on this idea...)

I've tried lift the axle/forcing the bush in by tightening the blots but they are so tight i can't get them to budge at all now...

Really don't want to leave it like this as it can't be safe? So any help will be greatly appreciated

Drinks available at FCS if you can help me get this sorted!

James

6th June 2010, 22:57

Who done the oilite conversion for you mate? My guess is that the two parts of the beam that mount to the car haven't been pressed on in line with each other.

6th June 2010, 22:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedy8281

Who done the oilite conversion for you mate? My guess is that the two parts of the beam that mount to the car haven't been pressed on in line with each other.

IM Axles have literally just done it they are in line from what i can tell but the bolt holes seem slightly too far apart from each other on the passenger side?

Like you can have one bang on and the other is just slightly covered out but virtually a fag paper's width but maybe thats my problem?

James

6th June 2010, 22:59

As per my post in your other thread, I think you might have the bushes for a S1 106 - they use 10mm bolts whereas Saxo uses 12mm ones.

EDIT: On second thought, if you had S1 106 bushes, then I don't think the Saxo bolts would fit through the sleeves.

How did you remove the old bushes?

6th June 2010, 23:00

What's the other side like? Just from the pics I would say option 3, but Im no mechnical 'h3xpert'!

6th June 2010, 23:07

Wouldn't be like IM to have them on out of line but thats definately what it looks like to me. If you had S1 bushes that suit a 10mm bolt rather than 12mm, although some earlier saxos had 10mm bolts aswell as far as I know. The bush would then have a 10mm hole so your bolt wouldn't go through it. But if the bolts did go through they would still tighten up the axle anyway. If the other side is all up tight, the mounting brackets are definately out of line.

6th June 2010, 23:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedy8281

Wouldn't be like IM to have them on out of line but thats definately what it looks like to me. If you had S1 bushes that suit a 10mm bolt rather than 12mm, although some earlier saxos had 10mm bolts aswell as far as I know. The bush would then have a 10mm hole so your bolt wouldn't go through it. But if the bolts did go through they would still tighten up the axle anyway. If the other side is all up tight, the mounting brackets are definately out of line.

His problem has got to be the bushes mate. They should be an interference fit, i.e. a hammer in job.

On his beam, the fit of them is loose.

6th June 2010, 23:27

The saxo bolts fitted so they are the right bushes as the VTS is a 52 plate...

All the all three fit spot and so did this on the floor and when it was initally fiteed left it for like an hour and it had slumped?

I melted the ones out

James

6th June 2010, 23:31

You got the washers in the right place on the other two mounts?

6th June 2010, 23:41

My powerflex bushes on my rear beam can easily be pushed in by hand. I'd try slackening the 2 front mounting bolts and tighten both the back ones and see if the front mounting points look like they are coming up even. Even the bush wasn't tight the axle should still sit up tight against it with the way it mounted.

6th June 2010, 23:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeeumH

You got the washers in the right place on the other two mounts?

Yeh both sides were done same?

If anyone as a diagram or pic showing the order of washers on the rear axle bolts (nearest the bumper) I'll be forever grateful as I can check and see if my memory failed me and I've put it back together wrong or if I did I right then I need another reason for it not working

James

6th June 2010, 23:46

speedy's suggestion is best - get the rear bolts tight before the front.

7th June 2010, 00:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeeumH

speedy's suggestion is best - get the rear bolts tight before the front.

I'll give it ago, sure I tried it earlier then had an issue with the front bushes but I'll slacken everything right off so I've only got the nuts just started on the bolt and retighten everything again

I tightened it from one corner to the opposite corner when I did it today then went round and gave each one a final tighten so it wad solid, should I do one side (drivers/passengers) or end (front/back) at a time instead to get it in place then go round each one tightening it fully?

James

7th June 2010, 00:06

I'd say tighten each nut a little bit more... gradually. Keep checking under the car to see if the same thing is happening.

7th June 2010, 00:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeeumH

I'd say tighten each nut a little bit more... gradually. Keep checking under the car to see if the same thing is happening.

Sounds like a plan!

Cheers mate!

If I get chance I'll try it through the week and report back and let you if I've cured the problem of if we need a rethink...

James

7th June 2010, 00:20

Yeah good idea mate. Where did you get those diagrams mate if you don't mind me asking?

7th June 2010, 00:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedy8281

Yeah good idea mate. Where did you get those diagrams mate if you don't mind me asking?

It's what they use at Cit parts desk mate.

http://service.citroen.com/

When you register, set the location as something random (non UK), otherwise it won't let you make an account.

8th June 2010, 23:16

nice one, thanks mate.

How did you fair out with this jim-bob

8th June 2010, 23:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedy8281

nice one, thanks mate.

How did you fair out with this jim-bob

I've not tried yet mate

I've been busy doing stuff for my college course and im losing the love at moment...if I get chance I'll have a go at sorting it Friday night, because after that im having a few weeks away from the car as it's getting to me now as every job I've done so far has hit a major snag which has delayed me loads so I need some time to clear my head of car and take stock then decide where I go from here finish it and enjoy it or get it back together and sell it and my spares and buy something else...

Bad times here

James

4th July 2010, 17:14

Out of interest, did you find out the problem?
I've just got my axle refurb to the same spec and I'm planning on fitting it this week.

4th July 2010, 17:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by RB87

Out of interest, did you find out the problem?
I've just got my axle refurb to the same spec and I'm planning on fitting it this week.

A new set of Powerflex bushes did the job (I think) the refurb should come with new OEM bushes anyway

James

4th July 2010, 17:22

So a new set of bushes fitted? Were the old ones the wrong size?

4th July 2010, 17:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeeumH

So a new set of bushes fitted? Were the old ones the wrong size?

The old ones were the right size just worn as they'd previously been fitted, new ones are all good

James

4th July 2010, 17:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim-Bob

A new set of Powerflex bushes did the job (I think) the refurb should come with new OEM bushes anyway

James

I supplied powerflex for them to fit during refurb.

Hmm something to look out for.

4th July 2010, 17:30

Ah, didnt realise they were old bushes. I should be ok then

4th July 2010, 17:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim-Bob

The old ones were the right size just worn as they'd previously been fitted, new ones are all good

James

Ah right - glad you finally got it sorted.

12th July 2011, 09:36

Just fitted my oilite IM axle with powerflex bushes. all when on ok apart from I have a creaking noise as if there is flex in the bushes. Did anyone here experience noises with the powerflex bushes once fitted.