MOT failure: rear axle

1. evh5150 Newbie Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 15

   #1 23rd September 2010, 16:48

   Hi guys,
   
   My car (Saxo Desire 1.1, 2002, 80k miles) failed MOT yesterday due to wear-and-tear on the rear axle, something which the MOT tester said is fairly common on these cars. However, it's something my (veteran!) mechanic says he hasn't had to deal with before.
   
   Does anyone have any ideas on how big a job this would be, and how much it may cost all-in? In the past I have sourced parts for the car from an online (scrap-yard) seller, but I'm not sure if that's a good idea in this instance.
   
   Although the car is 2002, it is in good nick, and I'm loathed to send it to scrap. But on the other hand, it isn't worth much at all, and there's always the gamble of doing work to a car that's this age.
   
   Any advice is much appreciated!
2. Paulp Super Moderator Joined: Aug 2007 Lancashire Posts: 14256 Astra VXR + 1989 Astra GTE

   #2 23rd September 2010, 16:51

   Buying second hand axles is always dodgey as you can't really tell if they're dodgey until they're on the car.
   
   It is common on the saxos, so common that there are business made surrounding it. Talk to these guys (Click - Link). They sell refurbed axles at a reasonable price.
3. user_38486 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Oct 2009 Blackburn Posts: 4739 A few

   #3 23rd September 2010, 19:16

   As Paul has said you can buy re-conditioned axles at a reasonable price.
   Or you can buy the bearings at about £40per side from Citroen and repair your own axle
4. evh5150 Newbie Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 15

   #4 23rd September 2010, 19:56

   I have e-mailed IM Axle and am awaiting a reply, but how much is "reasonable"? And it is really reasonable on an eight-year-old car, in your opinion, even if it is in otherwise good nick?
5. willsy West Midlands Joined: Nov 2005 Nuneaton (West Mids) Posts: 13835 '64 Volvo V40 R’Design, '89 Ph1 309 GTi, ‘97 Mk1 S

   #5 23rd September 2010, 20:10

   If the car is otherwise in decent condition it would be mad to scrap an 02 plate car for the sake of a new rear beam.
   
   IM axles do also offer fitting
6. evh5150 Newbie Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 15

   #6 24th September 2010, 12:48

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by willsy If the car is otherwise in decent condition it would be mad to scrap an 02 plate car for the sake of a new rear beam.

   I have received a quote of £360 from IM Axle. I am sure we are looking at another £150+ for my mechanic to fit it.
   
   That's not too far off what the car is worth...
7. user_38811 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Nov 2009 Sawtry Posts: 3456 Saxo VTS Saxo VTR

   #7 24th September 2010, 12:52

   Offer your axle is exchange bud and you should get a discount on that
8. evh5150 Newbie Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 15

   #8 24th September 2010, 12:55

   The discount is only around £30 though, isn't it?
9. user_38486 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Oct 2009 Blackburn Posts: 4739 A few

   #9 24th September 2010, 13:05

   Try planetpeugeotcitroen. They are on ebay, based in Blackpool but iirc they only charge £35 delivery, and they sell the beams for £140.
   They are 2nd hand, but are checked before they sell them and they do gaurantee they are in full working order or you can return
   
   EDIT: contact number 07971 096211 ring them up if you can't find them on ebay.

   1 user thanked this post: evh5150
10. evh5150 Newbie Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 15

    #10 24th September 2010, 13:26

    Just Peugeot Citroen Parts Ltd seem to be another option - they want £170. However, compared to other Citroen parts sellers I've read a few complaints about them. Not many, but enough to make me question using them.
    
    Are they a viable alternative?
11. user_38486 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Oct 2009 Blackburn Posts: 4739 A few

    #11 24th September 2010, 13:34

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by evh5150 Just Peugeot Citroen Parts Ltd seem to be another option - they want £170. However, compared to other Citroen parts sellers I've read a few complaints about them. Not many, but enough to make me question using them. Are they a viable alternative?

    
    Just peugeot citroen in blackburn/darwen?
    
    
    RAFkev has a rear axle on its way to him from the lads at blackpool, i've never used them personally so can't say from my experience, but i'll let you know what kev says about them
    
    Where abouts you from?
12. evh5150 Newbie Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 15

    #12 24th September 2010, 13:37

    Not sure - got the details via the Parts Gateway website.
13. user_38486 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Oct 2009 Blackburn Posts: 4739 A few

    #13 24th September 2010, 13:37

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by evh5150 Not sure - got the details via the Parts Gateway website.

    
    What details you got for just peugeot citroen? I'll tell you if its the lads near me
    
    And where are you from
14. evh5150 Newbie Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 15

    #14 24th September 2010, 13:41

    This would appear to be them: http://www.peugeotcitroenparts.co.uk/
    
    I'm based in Northern Ireland.
15. user_38486 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Oct 2009 Blackburn Posts: 4739 A few

    #15 24th September 2010, 13:46

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by evh5150 This would appear to be them: http://www.peugeotcitroenparts.co.uk/ I'm based in Northern Ireland.

    
    Ye mate thats the ones near me. They not bad tbh, and I can actually tell you his axles HAVE had new bearings in, because I sold them to him lol.
    Well can't say they ALL have, but I know some have lol
16. evh5150 Newbie Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 15

    #16 24th September 2010, 13:47

    Does anyone know how much the labour is likely to cost? I'd likely be happy enough at £170-odd for the axle, as long as the work did not more than double that.
    
    At that point, I'd have to start asking questions...
17. user_31231 Established Member Joined: Feb 2009 Derby Posts: 1153 VW Passat 1.9tdi 150

    #17 24th September 2010, 13:52

    is very hard to swap the beam mate four bolts obv have to disconnect brake lines
18. user_38486 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Oct 2009 Blackburn Posts: 4739 A few

    #18 24th September 2010, 13:54

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by evh5150 Does anyone know how much the labour is likely to cost? I'd likely be happy enough at £170-odd for the axle, as long as the work did not more than double that. At that point, I'd have to start asking questions...

    
    Do you have any mechanically minded family/friends? Or try yourself?
    
    If you aren't sure though its not worth risking it with the rear beam, could be dangerous lol.
    
    Phone a few local garages for quotes
19. evh5150 Newbie Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 15

    #19 24th September 2010, 13:55

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by SAM-S44MDS- RAFkev has a rear axle on its way to him from the lads at blackpool, i've never used them personally so can't say from my experience, but i'll let you know what kev says about them

    This would be great, thanks.
20. user_38486 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Oct 2009 Blackburn Posts: 4739 A few

    #20 24th September 2010, 13:56

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by evh5150 This would be great, thanks.

    
    Kev has taken his car for MOT. When he replies in the thread I will let you know what he says about the rear beam
21. evh5150 Newbie Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 15

    #21 24th September 2010, 13:59

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by SAM-S44MDS- Do you have any mechanically minded family/friends? Or try yourself? If you aren't sure though its not worth risking it with the rear beam, could be dangerous lol. Phone a few local garages for quotes

    There is no way that I could do it, and neither could any friends. I can fix anyone's computer, but the only think I know about cars is how to drive them.
22. user_38486 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Oct 2009 Blackburn Posts: 4739 A few

    #22 24th September 2010, 14:01

    Fair play mate. Ring round a few local garages then see what they say. Citroen's replacement time is 4.8 hours. So it will more than likely be about £200 if the garage books from that.
    But worth a phone call, you might get cheaper
23. IM_axles Regular Poster Joined: Mar 2009 Nottingham Posts: 464

    #23 24th September 2010, 15:03

    We charge £100 for non abs ones and £120 for abs ones and 206's etc if you want something to go by!
24. evh5150 Newbie Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 15

    #24 24th September 2010, 15:12

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by IM_axles We charge £100 for non abs ones and £120 for abs ones and 206's etc if you want something to go by!

    I'm not sure I understand. I just got a quote from you of £315 + £40 delivery?
25. user_38486 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Oct 2009 Blackburn Posts: 4739 A few

    #25 24th September 2010, 15:15

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by evh5150 I'm not sure I understand. I just got a quote from you of £315 + £40 delivery?

    
    I think he is on about the fitting charge mate.
26. evh5150 Newbie Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 15

    #26 24th September 2010, 15:17

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by SAM-S44MDS- I think he is on about the fitting charge mate.

    Ah. That makes sense! Thanks to all!
27. evh5150 Newbie Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 15

    #27 27th September 2010, 16:07

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by SAM-S44MDS- Kev has taken his car for MOT. When he replies in the thread I will let you know what he says about the rear beam

    Any word on this? Thanks!