#1: Trailing arm bearings Author: Chriz1, Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2017 6:45 pm ---- Hi guys quick question about the removal of the torsion bar
When changing the trailing arm bearings would I start with passenger side as this is fooked,
Knock off trailing arm fix and reassemble etc
Then with drivers side do the same way knock arm off the torsion bar?
Or would you remove completely if so does it matter which end you knock it through from and too?
Thanks
#2: Re: Trailing arm bearings Author: Edward, Location: In the garagePosted: Sun Jan 08, 2017 9:05 am ---- Start by removing the anti roll bar. I'd remove the torsion bars completely but that's easier said than done if they are seized in place.
#3: Re: Trailing arm bearings Author: Chriz1, Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2017 9:20 am ---- Thanks for reply looking at the video online it shows doing passenger side by knocking trailing arm off the torsion bar.
Could I then do drivers side the same way ? After I reassemble the passenger side?
#4: Re: Trailing arm bearings Author: iancav6, Location: rugbyPosted: Sun Jan 08, 2017 9:29 am ----
Chriz1 wrote:
Hi guys quick question about the removal of the torsion bar
When changing the trailing arm bearings would I start with passenger side as this is fooked,
Knock off trailing arm fix and reassemble etc
Then with drivers side do the same way knock arm off the torsion bar?
Or would you remove completely if so does it matter which end you knock it through from and too?
Thanks
I think much will depend on how well seized it all is.
I've just replaced the entire rear axle in my 180 because once I got it apart, the shaft the bearing runs on was pitted and corroded beyond salvation.
Anyway before I discovered this I spent many hours hammering and slide hammering either end of the torsion bar to get it to move one way or the other but with no success.
I eventually dropped the whole axle out,made a steel drift 200mm long by 19mm diameter with an 8mm thread in one end.make up a short piece of M 8 stud and screw the drift into the end of the torsion bar.I heated up the axle around the torsion bar with a gas torch,2 whacks with a sledge hammer and out it popped.
Mine was the drivers side arm that had failed and I was hitting it from the passenger side so that arm came off with torsion bar attached.
It is possible to drift the torsion bar out with the axle still in the car, i was just getting annoyed with it.
The 200mm bar may need to be a bit longer if the axle is still in car,no sure how much of a swing you will get.
Don't believe the YouTube clips that show the arm"just sliding"off the torsion bar
#5: Re: Trailing arm bearings Author: MrBSI, Location: What's it to you? ? ?Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2017 10:06 am ---- By the time you notice the bearings have failed, the damage has already been done to the stub axles.
New bearings fitted on a worn / damaged stub axles wont last 5 minutes.
A good used OR a service / exchange rear beam is whats called for.
#6: Re: Trailing arm bearings Author: Chriz1, Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2017 10:50 am ---- So I keep reading but I think it's worth a go on a £500 car that probably will be with me another 12months for the sake of £30 and a day of my time. But will strip it first and will see
#7: Re: Trailing arm bearings Author: iancav6, Location: rugbyPosted: Sun Jan 08, 2017 11:37 am ---- I bought a used axle that had been reconditioned a year ago,off ebay for £100.
#8: Re: Trailing arm bearings Author: Chriz1, Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2017 11:56 am ---- Just seems a big gamble too pay £80+. For a used axle and could be worse than mine, I know you can get reconditioned for £180 may have too give this route if mine is totally knackered.
#9: Re: Trailing arm bearings Author: iancav6, Location: rugbyPosted: Sun Jan 08, 2017 1:50 pm ---- Yes that's true.
In my case,the guy breaking the car knew the history of it and the fact it had been recon'd.
#10: Re: Trailing arm bearings Author: Chriz1, Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2017 2:25 pm ---- Tough decision
#11: Re: Trailing arm bearings Author: Chriz1, Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2017 2:28 pm ---- Would I deffo be able to tell if there's any play in a second hand axle when it's off the car?
#12: Re: Trailing arm bearings Author: iancav6, Location: rugbyPosted: Sun Jan 08, 2017 3:50 pm ---- I could only tell my old axle was shot because it was clonking and was able to get a prybar in there to see the free play.wobbling the wheel didn't show any movement,the torsion bar puts too much load into the arm.
If the axle is out the car,it may be tricky to determine how good it is.
If it were mine,I'd get the arm off to examine how good or bad the bearing shaft is.If you are lucky you might get away with just the bearing.
If its fubar ,then it's a financial decision on recon or used.
As you say a recon is £180 ish, but this will give you no mre trouble for 12months and a good selling point if that's your plan.
#13: Re: Trailing arm bearings Author: Chriz1, Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2017 6:16 am ---- Just too check then,
If I went used axle if I need too,planning on stripping it this week..
Are all axle the same?
Current setup is drum abs, could I get a disc setup and transfer all bits over?
#14: Re: Trailing arm bearings Author: mtempsch, Location: Gothenburg, SwedenPosted: Mon Jan 09, 2017 12:52 pm ----
Chriz1 wrote:
Just too check then,
If I went used axle if I need too,planning on stripping it this week..
Are all axle the same?
Current setup is drum abs, could I get a disc setup and transfer all bits over?
The conversion is certainly doable; you'd need new handbrake cables as they're different between drums and discs. Possibly new ABS sensors, also different between pre-plex and multiplex.
GTi180/RC and SW, IIRC, have some extra bars attached, not sure if all axles have the mounting points for those by default, but an axle from one of those should fit all others. but possibly not the other way round.
#15: Re: Trailing arm bearings Author: commandosqueak, Location: Lower SlaughterPosted: Mon Jan 09, 2017 2:33 pm ---- The problem with refurbed axles is once they have gone once they will go again. I have changed my axel 3 times. so for £50 more than I paid for a refurbished axle, I bought a new one. so far so good! *touches wood. hopefully I will never have to do that again.
Here is where i got it from www.imaxle.co.uk/axles
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