How do I check the rear axel?

1. dontpannic Infrequent Poster Joined: Mar 2013 Orpington, Kent, UK Posts: 228 Saxo VTS, Fiesta ST

   #1 8th March 2013, 07:54

   Hi All
   
   Looking at a saxo at the weekend, doesn't look like its been lowered madly, and no camber on rear wheels.
   
   If I jack it up on the rear beam, how to I check to see if the axel is FUBAR'ed? Is it just movement in the wheels?
   
   Cheers!
   
   
   Sent from my Casio FX-83GT
2. user_29491 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2008 Lancs Posts: 4124 JP4S'd R.

   #2 8th March 2013, 08:01

   Yup, put your hands at 12 and 6 and try to move the wheel.. if its wobbly it's going nackered
3. Boombang Infrequent Poster Joined: Jun 2012 Essex Posts: 208

   #3 8th March 2013, 12:17

   To be honest I've had three axles that felt ok on the car, no movement in bearings etc, but when you've taken the torsion bars and shocks off they don't move freely.
   
   In each case I've stripped to find drivers side pin is covered in rust and the 'ok' beam actually trash.
   
   Unless it's been rebuilt, I'd work on the basis it's either dying or dead.
4. dontpannic Infrequent Poster Joined: Mar 2013 Orpington, Kent, UK Posts: 228 Saxo VTS, Fiesta ST

   #4 8th March 2013, 16:54

   So its the trailing arm bearings that are the problem?
   
   Providing it hasn't already failed (or is about to), could I not just get a pair of new bearings fitted to hopefully delay the problem? What are we talking? £50 for a pair of bearings? I know a local garage who have a press...
   
   
   Sent from my Casio FX-83GT
5. Boombang Infrequent Poster Joined: Jun 2012 Essex Posts: 208

   #5 8th March 2013, 17:43

   Don't need a press to fit new bearings at all, but the pin they run on typically pits and rusts. Stick new bearings on a fucked shaft and they'll fail very quickly.
   
   You need new seals when you rebuild too.
6. billpine Infrequent Poster Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 129

   #6 8th March 2013, 18:30

   Mechanic told me yesterday and good smothering of copper grease will greatly reduce the possibility of dead bearings on a moderately pitted pin. True or not in don't know?
7. welshpug Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jul 2010 South Wales Posts: 3078 ZX 16v, 205 GTI, 309 Goodwood, 405 MI16.

   #7 8th March 2013, 20:49

   its bollocks.
   
   pitted = already dead.
   
   the only way to asses the true condition of a beam is to take it apart.
8. Boombang Infrequent Poster Joined: Jun 2012 Essex Posts: 208

   #8 8th March 2013, 20:53

   Utter bollocks, copper grease will kill bearings. It's used to make sure things come apart again, not as a lubricant.
9. Marv_106 Infrequent Poster Joined: Dec 2007 Settle, N. Yorks Posts: 154 '99 Cherry 106 GTi (In pieces) - '98 Cherry 106 GT

   #9 9th March 2013, 00:56

   You can definitely rebuild them if you catch them in time. Think its about £80 to get all the bearings and seals from peugeot.

   1 user thanked this post: dontpannic
10. dontpannic Infrequent Poster Joined: Mar 2013 Orpington, Kent, UK Posts: 228 Saxo VTS, Fiesta ST

    #10 9th March 2013, 13:43

    Nice. I've just jacked it up, and there's no movement in the trailing arm bearings (12-6 wheel movement).
    
    It's a bit of a shed this car but the important bits (engine, axel and boot floor) are all good so far.
    
    I'll put the motor in for an MOT to determine what actually needs doing then sort out some new bearings for the rear axel.
    
    Thanks for the help guys.
    
    Nick
    
    
    Sent from my Casio FX-83GT
11. billpine Infrequent Poster Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 129

    #11 10th March 2013, 14:46

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by welshpug its bollocks. pitted = already dead. the only way to asses the true condition of a beam is to take it apart.

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Boombang Utter bollocks, copper grease will kill bearings. It's used to make sure things come apart again, not as a lubricant.

    Ha, unanimous in dispelling thy bollocks! I'll tell him tomorrow, was gonna try that on my motor. Twat!