Rear axle play dilemma.

  1. Established Member Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 2009 Saxò VTS 16v
    #1
    I got play in the right side arm,no camber and there's plenty of room between the arch and tyre,no play at all on the left side,i would like to take the arm off and inspect the axle's pin,even if it has some light sign i could still use uprated bearings that completely eliminate the "bearings issue".
    Garage,quite obviously,(quicker and more expensive,150£ only to remove the old and fit the new axle plus 280£ from Imaxle) suggest to change the whole axle with another one.

    I know it's quite a gamble as if they take the arm off and the pin is too far gone i would still have to pay for the labor plus other costs to fit a new axle.

    The good thing is the left side is solid and i couldn't hear any grinding or strange noises when driving and the fact that there's no camber isn't a bad sign.

    What would you suggest to do?

    Many thanks.
  2. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jul 2010 South Wales Posts: 3078 ZX 16v, 205 GTI, 309 Goodwood, 405 MI16.
    #2
    If there is play the bearing surface WILL be shot.


    I would hope it does have some camber, as they have about half a degree at least as standard...
  3. Established Member Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 2009 Saxò VTS 16v
    #3
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by welshpug View Post
    If there is play the bearing surface WILL be shot.
    That hurts to read,so you say there's no way that the axle's pin (not the bearings) could only have some light signs on it,that doesn't leave much choice then.

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by welshpug View Post
    I would hope it does have some camber, as they have about half a degree at least as standard...
    Yes of course like all Saxos,what i meant was that it doesn't have any excessive/obvious camber as when the axle is completely dead.
  4. Established Member Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 2009 Saxò VTS 16v
    #4
    Anyone please?
  5. Regular Poster Joined: Aug 2013 newcastle Posts: 309 Desire 1.1
    #5
    Don't bother having them take it apart, if there is play its beyond repairable. Mine didn't have any play but the stub pins where destroyed and the bearings had ground down to powder.
  6. Established Member Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 2009 Saxò VTS 16v
    #6
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by jokerer View Post
    Don't bother having them take it apart, if there is play its beyond repairable. Mine didn't have any play but the stub pins where destroyed and the bearings had ground down to powder.
    If the axle's pin isn't too damaged you can use these upgraded bearings:



    Of course the OEM bearings in this case are useless and cannot be used.
  7. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2009 Stoke-on-trent Posts: 2640 Mk5 Golf GTTDI Mk2 VTR Project
    #7
    How exactly do those updated bearings work? They just look like metal tubes to me lol
  8. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jul 2010 South Wales Posts: 3078 ZX 16v, 205 GTI, 309 Goodwood, 405 MI16.
    #8
    a bearing does not have to have balls or needles in them, its a bush which is self lubricating.

    trouble with those is they have a lot more friction in them than a normal needle bearing as they are intended for rotating shafts not oscillating ones, you're better off with standard bearings and change them every 5-10 years.
  9. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2009 Stoke-on-trent Posts: 2640 Mk5 Golf GTTDI Mk2 VTR Project
    #9
    Where do you get those updated bearings from anyway and are they expensive?