Checking 309 Rear Beam Off The Car?

[johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars]

hi, ive got a 309 gti rear beam which was going to go on my last 205 before i wrote it off now im getting a new 205 and i want to put the beam on that but its been sat outside under a peice of tarpoulin(?) for about 6 months so what i want to know is there a way of checking its not seized or knackered in any other way without taking it all apart or putting it on the car? or is there somewhere relatively cheap that would rebuild it for me?

thanks

[Alastairh 47]

Un bolt the 22mm bottom shock bolt either end, and jump up and down on the trailing arms, that'll give you a good indication if its seized or not.

 

Anthony on here is a regular beam builder, or if you want to try it yourself theres a guide on the main site.

 

Alastair

Edited February 12, 2007 by Alastairh

[welshpug 1,657]

IMO the only way to tell is to whip the trailing arms off, a doddle if its off the car.

[boldy205 75]

yup, rip it appart, if its ok (no pitting on bearing surfaces) just grease it all back up and put it back together. If not, you have got to rebuild it!! Tho if it was ok 6 months before and it hasnt been used since then cant see why its not ok?

[johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars]

cheers chaps, i might aswell have a go at taking it apart then, only problem being i havent got a garage anymore (my dad has decided to extend the house and make the garage the kitchen?!) so if it does need rebuilding then i may have a few problems but i spose i wont know till i yoink it all apart

[Guest smokinslim]

Just dont leave it outside uncovered in the rain whatever you do! I had a saxo beam to strip down, got rained on a few too many times - the only thing that could seperate the parts was my grinder. Bet the binmen were well chuffed when they came to empty my wheelie bin that week lol

[johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars]

right i had a bloody good jump on the thingymerjiggies and after falling on my arse have decided that it is siezed. so, does this mean it'll be completely knackered inside or will it just need rebuilding? or am i just really scrawny and couldnt make it spring?

[taylorspug 7]

You should at least be able to get some sort of movement out of it if it isnt seized. If it is then theres a good chance its scrap, as it may be difficult to even get it apart depending on how seized it is.

[boldy205 75]

hmm, im not impresed with this turning garages into extensions! what a waste! (and i cant think of a better excuse to do the job on the kitchen table in the warm!! )

You may need to eat more pies and jump on the beam!! but if it seems like it wont budge then taking out the torsion bars (marking where their position is in the trailing arms for ride hight, i cleaned mine up and used tipex)Poss the ARB aswell, but not essential, will let you see if its you not putting enough effort in or if the beams siezed. I would think it would take a long time (and heavy rain) to sieze it totaly.

Then you will see if it needs bearings etc.

[johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars]

i definately agree with the kitchen table theory but i think i'm gonna need to find a new garage, maybe hire out one of them council jobbies. unless theres anybody on here who wants to rebuild it for me for a fee of course (smallest possible hehe)