aeinstein 0 Posted March 11, 2006 hello all. first post after welcome, hopefully one of many... i take it from nearly every post on this forum that 205s have a crap arrangement for the rear suspension? no doubt it was awesome when they were new but rear beams (read radius arm bearings) obviously don't age well! my 1.6 has precisely no suspension on one side at the back, cos the beam is seized. i am getting another beam from the local yard this aft, which i'm told is healthy, (may be refurb'd for all i know) but they are taking it off for me, (at my request, cos its snowing!) and i was wondering if there is anyone who has a clue how to check its condition (ie seized or not) before i fit it? i'm happy keeping the 1.6 back sus cos i'm doing the 205 up on a scrapyard budget (a fiver and some fag papers!) so don't want to fork out for disks, pads, the other brake valve, new h/brake cable etc. to convert to 1.9 or 309. i'll probly be selling it as soon as the xm turbo engine is in it! my wife hates it anyway, she'll be even worse if its faster!! cheers in advance... albert Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jonD6B 0 Posted March 11, 2006 Personally I'd check it before it comes of the car so that you can bounce the back end and check for camber. Do a search, all the info. you'll need is on here somewhere. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aeinstein 0 Posted March 11, 2006 i would but its lying on top of a dead rover 214. not worry, i suppose i can refurb it if it needs it. i wondered if there was a way to check it off the car. if not its trial and error i guess... do people ever put 1.6 beams on 205s, or is it like the half leather where its just as easy to upgrade as it is to replace with original? it took the guy at the yard about 3 minutes to strip the beam off the car. i don't know if i'm lucky enough for it to be a good un! its got 30 day guarantee and i've got loads of bits off him in the past, he seems reasonable any other help gratefully accepted. this site is a goldmine, i'm pleased i found you! alb Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pug_ham 244 3 Cars Posted March 14, 2006 You can check if the arms are free with the beam off the car by standing on the radius arm & seeing if it moves freely when you bounce it with your weight. Put a foot on the radius arm & one on the rear mount arm & see if you can move the arm in relation to it. If it doesn't move its also seized. What 205 is the beam off? Graham. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aeinstein 0 Posted March 14, 2006 evening the beam came from another 1600 gti that had suffered quite an impressive nosebleed. which makes a change cos in my experience, most dead 205s suffered at the hands of lift off oversteer! sad thing was it had 1/2 leather, which mine doesn't, but it was pretty well beat, the stitching had come away and there was moss and crap all over it. it was probly a e/f/g reg looking at the spec, but had a weird aftermarket tilting sunroof, shame to see them in the yards but it keeps us going. thanx for the tips on checking the beam, the yard man said there was no camber on the wheels when it came in and he believed it to be fine, so i'll have a proper look this weekend. do i get any free stuff if i introduce someone? (even a sticker would be cool!) just cos my pals got a sweet 205 mi16 (which is for sale!) and he loves all things pug shaped and i keep telling him to join. cheers albert ps, how do i add what cars i own? is it in the same place as my signature? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jonmurgie 2 Posted March 14, 2006 i take it from nearly every post on this forum that 205s have a crap arrangement for the rear suspension? The rear suspension on the 205 is a pretty good design as it goes... just that it does wear out quicker then front suspension components! ps, how do i add what cars i own? is it in the same place as my signature? Yes Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aeinstein 0 Posted March 14, 2006 that should be it with the signature... ta no doubting the 205 suspension working well, but i wonder if they knew it would be knackered after 10 years? audi would never do that. lol i'll keep you updated... (read 'beg for more help!) al Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pug_ham 244 3 Cars Posted March 15, 2006 the beam came from another 1600 gti that had suffered quite an impressive nosebleed. which makes a change cos in my experience, most dead 205s suffered at the hands of lift off oversteer! it was probly a e/f/g reg looking at the spec, but had a weird aftermarket tilting sunroof, shame to see them in the yards but it keeps us going. thanx for the tips on checking the beam, the yard man said there was no camber on the wheels when it came in and he believed it to be fine, so i'll have a proper look this weekend. Should be a straight swap over except for new brake pipes, rear brake's & handbrake cables probably but imo you'd be very wise to refurbish it before you fit it if it really is 15 years or more old. Not having camber doesn't mean its Ok, they can be seized solid with both wheels sat at the correct angle.do i get any free stuff if i introduce someone? (even a sticker would be cool!) just cos my pals got a sweet 205 mi16 and he loves all things pug shaped and i keep telling him to join. :) No afraid not, word of mouth does fine for this forum. Stickers are for sale here though. Graham. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
