My Car Still Has Crabs, Despite Treatment......

[Guest TSL 333]

I had previously posted using the above topic heading and had diagnosed the problem as defective front wishbone bushes. I has the n/s front wishbone replaced (by a reliable garage who I have used for years) and the problem appeared to have been cured - from a road test. However at Knockhill yesterday, it became aparent that the car is still behaving/ handling strangely. To be honest, once you are used to it, it does become slightly predictable and even fun, as the car (particularly the rear end) slides more.

 

On a serious note though, the car should not be handling like this and so I must get it repaired. I can only imagine that this strange handling will be wearing other components down faster (tyres to say the least.) Not only that, despite what I have said above about predictability, there is an element of unpredictability on the road and as it is a road/ trackcar, this is of course potentially dangerous.

 

To try and describe the symptoms:

 

1.The car drives in a straight line and so by definition is not crabbing.

 

2. When I turn in for a corner, is is almost like the tail comes out. By giving it some opposite lock, you can catch this 'roll' Then you continue round the corner like it's on rails.

 

I hope you can follow the symptoms!!!

 

The garage I go to is reliable and knowledgable and so I would assume that if there was a problem with the front i.e. suspension/ sub frame, they would have identified this.

 

Which leads me onto my next theory that there is potentially something wrong with the back axle set up. The suspension is stiff as f&ck, although the ride height appears standard. The front suspension looks origional although the rear shockers are white? Could there be some rear axle bushes that are knackered?

 

HELP!!!

 

I do not reckon the car has been crashed or anything like that and it is something I would rather repair/ have repaired than sell the car.

Edited April 17, 2006 by TSL 333

[jackherer 543]

unfortunately it sounds like your rear beam has seized up, there has been a lot written on this subject so a search will help you out.

[richsmells 2]

A seized beam will give some quite odd effects. Get it checked and overhauled, and replace with new beam mounts. Hardened ones are good for a track car.

[Guest TSL 333]

Cheers guys, I will get that checked out at the garage. One thing worthy of note is that the n/s rear wheel seems to sit with slightly more negative camber than the o/s? Is this normal? Could this be a symptom and if so, then what could be causing it? I replaced the wheel bearings on this side a couple of weeks ago after sudden failure.

Edited April 17, 2006 by TSL 333

[richsmells 2]

A common symptom of collapsed trailing arm shaft bearing inside the beam tube. Over time the seals perish, water gets in and the bearings begins to disintergrate, this also causes the shafts to corrode, become worn and pitted and if left too long, in some cases seizing.

 

Chances are, the shaft is knackered and has ovalled the beam tube but you won't know until it's taken apart.

 

Have a search for "rear beam" for more detailed descriptions and photos. This happens to almost every 205 gti that hasn't had a rebuilt beam and is covered more than regularly unfortunately

 

This is a good post by the beam-master himself: http://forum.205gtidrivers.com/index.php?s...66&hl=rear+beam

 

Edit: 400 posts, hurrah!

Edited April 17, 2006 by richsmells

[Guest TSL 333]

Cheers for the replies - although, by the sounds of it, I will have to save up a few pennies. I always thought the rear axle was solid and that the rear hubs rotated around the stubs at the end of the axle........you learn a new thing every day. This all figures now with the exception of the noise issue - there is not any grinding - although there is certainly 'play.' Interestingly enough, there is nothing covered in the Haynes manual on this topic, appart from the entire removal of the rear axle and it's re-fitting. Will my usual garage be able to overhaul/ replace the rear axle then and how much is this likely to cost, assuming I get the beam mounts replaced as well (to standard spec I think!!!)

[richsmells 2]

They should be able to as it's a fairly common setup. All 205's, 106's, 306's etc have roughly the same type of rear suspension.

 

If you've got negative camber at the moment i'd hazard a guess that most of it's fubar, so budgeting for the lot i'd say not much change from £500 after labour from a garage. Unfortunately this is why so many Gti's get scrapped as it's one of the most expensive jobs. But from experience, a recon beam and new shocks will get the car handling much better. It's definately worth doing. Group N mounts only cost a few quid from Skip Brown.

Edited April 17, 2006 by richsmells

[jackherer 543]

Interestingly enough, there is nothing covered in the Haynes manual on this topic, appart from the entire removal of the rear axle and it's re-fitting.

 

the early haynes covers it reasonably well but for some reason they dropped it from the later edition.

 

we have a refurb guide here.