rear axle question

  1. L-plater Joined: Mar 2010 Fowey, Cornwall Posts: 50 2001 Saxo VTS in silver
    #1
    had mot today on my mk2 VTS and got advisory that theres play in rear axle and mechanic reckons it should be fine until next mot.

    what i would like to know as it does seem to be a common problem with saxos in general, is what happens when a rear axle "goes"? is it basically going to fall out while im driving or just sink in an instant overnight whilst parked up??

    also whats the most realistic cost in sorting it via either replacing with new one altogether or reconditioning the axle i have?

    a mate of mine recently scrapped his mk1 VTR because of this one problem alone and i wouldnt want to do the same to mine as to me its 2 grand worth of car...
  2. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Nov 2009 Sawtry Posts: 3456 Saxo VTS Saxo VTR
    #2
    No the bearings on the stub axle will wear away eventually then mark the Pin itself, so better off getting a Axle now rather than later when it becomes dangerous
    1 user thanked this post:
  3. Frequent Poster Joined: May 2010 neath port talbot Posts: 984 Wicked Red VTR mk2
    #3
    i just had to order a new axle today. i found that the wheels point inwards at the top when stationary and when cruising at around 45-60 my back passenger wheel would wobble really bad and it would vibrate the car and feel like you were driving on a really rough road.

    My mate pulled me over and said my wheel was wobbling but only around that speed.
  4. Super Moderator Joined: Aug 2007 Lancashire Posts: 14256 Astra VXR + 1989 Astra GTE
    #4
    I risked driving on a fucked axle for a long time (only did a couple miles a day) it was really purely out of lazyness.

    Eventually got a refurbished one... After nearly loosing the back end a couple times lol. So yeah its definately worth getting one sooner rather than later, especially if your saxo is worth 2,000.

    Careful where you get your refurbished one from, i'd only recommend IMAXLES off here, they've got a good history and reputation.

    Earlier this year i got mine from a place in padiham called pugcitaxles or something.. and it was fucked, and they refused to give a refund or replace it despite their 2 year warranty bollocks. The company in padiham keeps changing their name (because of reputation and bad feedback), at one point they had like 3 different ones. So be careful. The bad thing is its sometimes hard to tell that they're fucked until their on the car. I've got a feeling the place i got mine had simply hammerited it black and classed it as 'refurbished'.


    Give IMaxles a call, they'll sort you out
  5. Regular Poster Joined: Mar 2010 Preston Posts: 402 Vtr mk2.
    #5
    there was no mention at all that mine was on the way out when i bought it, and because i didnt know saxos and stupidly hadnt done mine research im having to replace it 5 months after buying the car. worth it though for peace of mind.
  6. Frequent Poster Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 543 Phase-II VTR
    #6
    If the mechanic thinks it'll last until next MOT then you might be able to get away with just new bearings provided the stub pins haven't become mullered.

    The standard bearings are not servicable and so become dry and then wear, creating play. If they wear too much then they also damage the stub pins they run on (the inner race of the needle bearings).

    Your axle isn't going to fall off, but you may notice the rear of the car becomes very wayward as the rear wheels become able to steer themselves, so it can certainly cause an issue particularly if you drive enthusiastically.

    It will also begin killing your tyres as the change in angles scrubs the tread off.

    It's certainly worth getting the pins checked as you will save yourself a fortune if they're salvagable. Failing that, search for 'IM Axles' on here, they can replace pins and bearings, or do whole refurbished beams/acles depending what you want/need.
  7. West Midlands Joined: Nov 2005 Nuneaton (West Mids) Posts: 13835 '64 Volvo V40 R’Design, '89 Ph1 309 GTi, ‘97 Mk1 S
    #7
    As above, the longer you leave it the more chance that you'll have to pay out for a full beam refurb.

    If you catch it early it may just be at the stage where a more 'simple' bearing and seal change would suffice.
  8. L-plater Joined: Mar 2010 Fowey, Cornwall Posts: 50 2001 Saxo VTS in silver
    #8
    thanx to all comments, cant see my rear wheels pointing inwards next so once i got the other minor stuff done (front ball joint, handbrake cable and abs sensor) and full mot is on the car i will get the bearings, pins and stubs looked at to see if it can be done without full replacement. if it does need full replacement due to excessive wear then will do what most have said and get it from IM Axles as would rather have it done properly once than have running probs with cheaper options once again thanks to all
  9. L-plater Joined: Mar 2010 Fowey, Cornwall Posts: 50 2001 Saxo VTS in silver
    #9
    got the full mot on the VTS now and have seen the failures and advisory sheets for first time and think i got a chance of the easy cheaper option for rear axle advisory as it states....

    offside rear torque / reaction arm has slight play in a pin bearing

    any1 got suggestions for that as im not all that mechanically minded but to me slight play doesnt sound all that bad and therefore wouldnt need to warrant a good 7-800 quid for axle and fitting???
  10. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2009 ilkeston derbyshire Posts: 9823 C2 VTR stripped, 406hdi, clio 172
    #10
    7-800 pounds is far too expensive for an axle change, even with a refurb axle from IM!!
  11. L-plater Joined: Mar 2010 Fowey, Cornwall Posts: 50 2001 Saxo VTS in silver
    #11
    really? axle alone is 400 quid from there before i get it shipped down to cornwall then find somewhere to fit it (labour costs am thinking it more than an hours work??)