Nearly let down by ...
 

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[Closed] Nearly let down by bangernomics today.....

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But alas saved by the bumpstops.

First big bill and in the field breakage in 10years of berlingo ownership.

Torsion bar snapped on me. Planting the rear end on its arse

So I went and rode my bike and worried about it later.

Drove home on the bump stops cautiously after establishing that this situation was no different to the time I drove from Edinburgh to Aberdeen with a rover v8, gearbox and engine hoist in the back.

Who's replaced the rear axle on a mk2 berlingo then how many shackles am I looking at ? Heard Fraser brown stopped doing his refurbs with grease nipples and such. Does anyone else do them to similar standard ?


 
Posted : 29/10/2016 6:34 pm
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Many years ago we replaced the torsion beam on my AX.

I think it was-

Remove exhaust.
Disconnect brakes.
Undo four bolts, beam comes away.

It was a long time ago though so I might of forgotten a step or two.


 
Posted : 29/10/2016 8:14 pm
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That's how I've read it goes.

But it's 12 years old so I see grinders and cutting holes in the floor to get to the capive nuts . Also need a special 100mm long big torx socket. *Edit it's a >75mm t50bit . Just ordered one off eBay.

Think I'll remove the old one before I order a new one.

Shall start spraying with hi pen spray tomorrow


 
Posted : 29/10/2016 8:26 pm
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Cheaper to buy another, Shirley?


 
Posted : 29/10/2016 8:42 pm
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Another unknown car ......I have a different take on bangernomics.

Find the right car and look after it. It will look after you. So long as the engine and body ain't buggered.

Looking like 250 gets me a rear axle. Can't get a co

mpatibly trusted car for 250....

Mines been fully serviced on the money belts done on the money and new wheel bearings and exhaust as required.


 
Posted : 29/10/2016 8:47 pm
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You may be able to fit a beam from another model too.

I used a Saxo rear beam on my AX, I think it was about 10mm wider at most.

May help the search for a fresh beam.


 
Posted : 29/10/2016 8:52 pm
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Peugeot Ecosse in Bo Ness replaced mine for around 450 parts labour on a 106. Not sure if they're the same torsion bars but I do have the old beam (rusty calipers etc) if you want it. It'a been laying there (outside) for about 5 years+. Can collect Dingwall/Inverness if it's any use.


 
Posted : 29/10/2016 8:58 pm
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http://www.fraserbrowneng.co.uk/store/index.php?route=information/contact This guy has been offering axle servicing etc for years. He's in Nigg.


 
Posted : 29/10/2016 9:04 pm
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205gtidrivers forum will probably have a few people offering beam refurbs. Last time I was on there the going rate was £300-£400


 
Posted : 29/10/2016 9:05 pm
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Edit: Looks like he might not be doing the old style pug axles.


 
Posted : 29/10/2016 9:06 pm
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M49 - 1996 to 2002 and M59's 2002 to 2008 are built on a Pug 306 floorpan 😉

This info may help widen your search


 
Posted : 30/10/2016 12:47 am
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Nah Fraser brown stopped doing them years ago. Sold that side off to someone who was variable.

Finding axles isn't an issue I'm spoilt for choice. How ever not all returns are equal. I was wonderinbif anyone had a reliable source like Fraser brown used to bs


 
Posted : 30/10/2016 7:51 am
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I think this is crowd I used for a 306 axle - many years ago. No complaints then.

[url= http://abaxles.co.uk/en/about/ ]Axles[/url]

I assume you've considered a 'spares or repair' complete vehicle off the the Bay of Fools?

Hth
Marko


 
Posted : 30/10/2016 8:25 am
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Briefly I did Marko but rear axles on berlingos and 306 are notorious for failing and thus no guarantee the used one will be any better.

It's the Achilles heel of the cars design and if I'm going to fix it I'd like to do it right since I want it to be nice and reliable for the wife.

Plus if I bring home another car I will be murdered. Only just got rid of the shell of my last breaker last week.

Good to hear of a good experience with a-b they are top of my list atm. Going to call them tomorrow


 
Posted : 30/10/2016 8:37 am
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You could always replace the trailing arm bushes before you fit it. This will give you the chance of fitting a grease nipple.

You'll see if the pins worn at that point too.


 
Posted : 30/10/2016 8:46 am
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Yep, as above, they're not that hard a job


 
Posted : 30/10/2016 9:08 am
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Due to an unfortunate series of events(3 months away with work) I have 3 cars and only 1 with an mot. Which happens to be the one needing an axle. I need this one back on the road minimal effort so I think axles theway to go. Mean while the others just need to be booked in for test.


 
Posted : 30/10/2016 11:21 am
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I'll be chopping up an '04 M59 for parts tomorrow, but unfortunately i'm miles away in Manchester 😳


 
Posted : 30/10/2016 12:15 pm
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Shame. Cheers though

Currently just replacing the spring on the lcv on my van. Appeared to have rotten through while sat for last 3 months.

#propperpremotchecks 😉


 
Posted : 30/10/2016 12:41 pm
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As someone who has owned a ZX and three 306's I am used to doing axle swaps.

Biggest pain is the brake lines. 6 nuts through the boot floor (long 16mm socket) and it's off.

306 HDI beams are rocking horse poop now so mine is on a GTI beam so sits 20mm too low and can't take as much load. I am guessing your berlingo has quite thick TBs ue to it's load carrying? The ARB is less important IMO as it just controls body roll. GTI owners were all over the estate beams for the heavier duty TBs which meant getting even a scrap one to rebuild difficult.

There was a place in Poland doing full rebuilds for £300 a couple of years ago. Probably about £1k now due to Brexit 🙄


 
Posted : 30/10/2016 1:12 pm
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TRAIL RAT, I've obviously got that long torq tool to get the axle bolt out I can post if you need to lend it?


 
Posted : 30/10/2016 1:51 pm
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Thanks for the offer Chris but I've already bought one

Brake lines don't worry me. If anything they could probably do with some new ones if they turned out to be siezed - we have the technology and it will cost about a 10er getting the drums off the shoes is usually my sticking point. Needs a fair auld dunt


 
Posted : 30/10/2016 2:00 pm
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Bingo drums are not usually an issue unlike older Zx/306 stuff that had bigger lips than the cast of towie


 
Posted : 30/10/2016 2:41 pm
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You were right bingo drums a caker Chris.

Ordered axle Wednesday from I m axles

Arrived Thursday

Stripped old one out between freezing showers and coffee yesterday . Moved into garage and swapped over all parts

Refitted this morning .

Normal ride height has been resumed.

Very impressed with the axles finish. Looks like a new motor at the back again.

Replaced brake pipes and slaves while I was in there. One was weeping from the seals.


 
Posted : 06/11/2016 1:08 pm
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Nice work t_r does that mean bob is back and rallycross ready for the back roads of Aberdeenshire.


 
Posted : 06/11/2016 2:39 pm
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Oh yes. Normal service is resumed.

Brakes are sharp as shit now. Fresh fluid all round and new rear slaves.


 
Posted : 06/11/2016 4:07 pm

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