49 replies to this topic

[The Matt]

If I were you, I'd just get a load of oil under there to protect it.  The camber is an odd one, different arms give different camber.  If someone's "rebuilt" the rear beam and used the wrong rear arm in the past, that could explain the mismatch.  My last 205 was a bit like it, despite the rear beam having had £1000 spent on it for a refurbishment at Skip Browns (205 specialist).

[Ben_O]

I am thinking about taking it off the road and getting the axle off, cleaning it all back and seeing what is what The hangers where the shocks go to look like they are bolted on and they are the worse bit.

 

On another note, the dam ABS light is on again..

 

Ben

[Ben_O]

Looking on eBay, it seems like they come complete with the hanger parts that are so badly rusted on this car.

 

They are around £100 which i don't think is too bad.

 

there is one off of a 306 estate and it says 'fita xsara' and that comes with discs, callipers, shocks the lot!

 

£150 posted!

[The Matt]

Yeah, buying second hand is OK, but then the bearings could be shot.  You need to get one from a breakers, with some kind of guarantee on it.  They're really not that bad to swap out at all.

BUT, do you want to spend that kind of money on a car that's worth, well, that kind of money?

 

I have been in that boat in the past and sometimes it's a case of "better the devil you know", but sometimes you're just throwing good money after bad.

[Ben_O]

The main thing that worries me about the swap is the fixings. If you look in the photos, the nuts are, well... not really nuts anymore..

 

It is a very reliable car and cost so little in the first place and you are right, it is better the devil you know. If i put an axle on a car that is otherwise spot on, surely it's better than buying another car that could have it's own problems that aren't obvious from a test drive or inspection.

 

Decisions, Decisions

[The Matt]

You mean the rear ones?  There's a nut in the boot that will be perfectly clean.  Undo that one and drop the rubber hangers with the old frame.  They're probably due for replacing anyway.

[Ben_O]

You mean the rear ones?  There's a nut in the boot that will be perfectly clean.  Undo that one and drop the rubber hangers with the old frame.  They're probably due for replacing anyway.

Ah ha, That is good to know!

 

I haven't looked closely at doing the job yet but that's mainly due to the fact i only have a scissor jack from my old 740 estate and no axle stands...

 

The brake pipes were advised on the rear too and the car sits on its arse at the rear so will be good time to do the shocks and brake pipes too.

 

 

Looks slammed. lol

[The Matt]

It's possible that it has already had a replacement beam and that was lowered, or off a lower setting on a 306 or something.  Looks very low really.

 

The other thing is whether it's got different ratings of torsion bar on it.  They're 'rated' by their diameter (thicker bar twists less under the same load).

[Ben_O]

It's possible that it has already had a replacement beam and that was lowered, or off a lower setting on a 306 or something.  Looks very low really.

 

The other thing is whether it's got different ratings of torsion bar on it.  They're 'rated' by their diameter (thicker bar twists less under the same load).

Not sure mate. we are the 3rd owner. First was a lady owner and the second before us was a polish guy who had it years and used it all the time going backwards and forwards to Poland. It was always serviced in Poland too, all of the service tags are polish and it has stickers regarding service info under the bonnet. he knew nothing about cars plus it looks like it must be original.

 

The shocks look very worn out but i'm not sure that would account for it looking that low. passed the MOT fine though.

[Carlos W]

 

It's possible that it has already had a replacement beam and that was lowered, or off a lower setting on a 306 or something.  Looks very low really.

 

The other thing is whether it's got different ratings of torsion bar on it.  They're 'rated' by their diameter (thicker bar twists less under the same load).

Not sure mate. we are the 3rd owner. First was a lady owner and the second before us was a polish guy who had it years and used it all the time going backwards and forwards to Poland. It was always serviced in Poland too, all of the service tags are polish and it has stickers regarding service info under the bonnet. he knew nothing about cars plus it looks like it must be original.

 

The shocks look very worn out but i'm not sure that would account for it looking that low. passed the MOT fine though.

 

 

Bring it over and we'll sort it on my drive

[Ben_O]

 

 

It's possible that it has already had a replacement beam and that was lowered, or off a lower setting on a 306 or something.  Looks very low really.

 

The other thing is whether it's got different ratings of torsion bar on it.  They're 'rated' by their diameter (thicker bar twists less under the same load).

Not sure mate. we are the 3rd owner. First was a lady owner and the second before us was a polish guy who had it years and used it all the time going backwards and forwards to Poland. It was always serviced in Poland too, all of the service tags are polish and it has stickers regarding service info under the bonnet. he knew nothing about cars plus it looks like it must be original.

 

The shocks look very worn out but i'm not sure that would account for it looking that low. passed the MOT fine though.

 

 

Bring it over and we'll sort it on my drive

 

That sir, is not a bad idea. Plus this job runs no risk of spilling transmission fluid on the drive   

[Carlos W]

 

 

 

It's possible that it has already had a replacement beam and that was lowered, or off a lower setting on a 306 or something.  Looks very low really.

 

The other thing is whether it's got different ratings of torsion bar on it.  They're 'rated' by their diameter (thicker bar twists less under the same load).

Not sure mate. we are the 3rd owner. First was a lady owner and the second before us was a polish guy who had it years and used it all the time going backwards and forwards to Poland. It was always serviced in Poland too, all of the service tags are polish and it has stickers regarding service info under the bonnet. he knew nothing about cars plus it looks like it must be original.

 

The shocks look very worn out but i'm not sure that would account for it looking that low. passed the MOT fine though.

 

 

Bring it over and we'll sort it on my drive

 

That sir, is not a bad idea. Plus this job runs no risk of spilling transmission fluid on the drive   

 

 

The offer is there mate

[Ben_O]

 

 

The offer is there mate

 

Thanks do much mate.

 

Ill have a chat about it and see what we decide. If we do it, then ill bring it over.

 

Cheers

 

Ben

[The Matt]

Shall I pop down to help too?

[Ben_O]

Shall I pop down to help too?

Ill put the kettle on