Ricardo 0 Posted October 26, 2008 (edited) The inside edge has just started rubbing against the inner arch in the last week although the camber (is this when the top and bottom of the wheels are different track width?) has always looked a bit strange! the photo shows the camber when no weight on the wheels/beam and looks the same when sitting on the road/suspension. I was told the car had been lowered 40mm. I can't find any play in the wheel/beam with my hands when gripping the tyre top and bottom when jacked up, (so wheel bearings are OK) or with crowbar but when sat on the road and I grab the top of the tyre and pull/push quick and hard there is a bit of play and light knocking. The rear rubber 'sandwich' Beam mount is split in two (see second photo, the mount is being prized open with screwdriver)). Does this mean the trail arm/beam bearings are worn or could it be the split rear 'sandwich' rubber mount? Was about to sell the car but can't like this. Any info or help much appreciated. Edited October 26, 2008 by Ricardo Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
welshpug 1,657 Posted October 26, 2008 that looks rather knackered and very dangerous!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RossD 44 Posted October 26, 2008 Thats an MOT failure for a start (Both the rubbing and the mount) But hopefully by replacing the mounts you'll sort the rubbing! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
welshpug 1,657 Posted October 26, 2008 replacing the mount wont cure the dead beam.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ricardo 0 Posted October 26, 2008 Just passed an MOT 3 weeks ago with 'nothing' needed just advised slight wear on offside track rod end ball, which I have just bought the pair to replace!! It is only slight rubbing tho!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DamirGTI 342 Posted October 26, 2008 No this is serious if you get lucky and find that the beam tube is still usable (judging from the pics i really don't think that it'll be so .. however you never know until you dismantle the beam ..) you'll most certainly need new arm shaft and , of course , an set of bearings for rebuild .. Best luck ! Damir Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RossD 44 Posted October 26, 2008 replacing the mount wont cure the dead beam.... That depends if the play he felt was due to the knackered mount... But yes, looking at the negative camber there, the beams probably pretty dead too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ricardo 0 Posted October 26, 2008 Ok... Would squeeking indicate f*cked radius arm bearings? Along with the camber? It's easy enough to move the wheels up and down so they aren't seized (small mercy!) yet So... new mount kit (BakerBushes solid £40?) Inner and outer bearings each side (£5 ea x 4?) Trail arm shaft (£60 ea) with bearings and seals one side (£90?) or beam with bearings (£299) Full rear major overhaul kit (£460 OMG!! don't know what this includes but I would hope new tortion bars, tube, bearings, mounts, seals, shafts, arms, ARB and somebody to come and fit it and make me cups of T!) Read somebody refurbing for £200? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ricardo 0 Posted October 26, 2008 Cheers for the input guys....looks like I'll be busy inbetween showers! Well luckily the missus won't be driving soon so I'll be using the mondildo! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ricardo 0 Posted October 26, 2008 One last thing.... All the articles I've read are saying removal of calipers to alow the beam to be removed. Can I remove the drum/backplate etc to leave the brake pipes attached? Thanks again! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
welshpug 1,657 Posted October 26, 2008 One last thing.... All the articles I've read are saying removal of calipers to alow the beam to be removed. Can I remove the drum/backplate etc to leave the brake pipes attached? Thanks again! If you're careful yes, I've done it that way a few times to save disturbing the brake lines. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ricardo 0 Posted November 2, 2008 Cheers...Spent yesterday in the sun removing the beam....but all is NOT WELL Couldn't even split the exhaust! luckily it would hang and swivel on the cupped joint. Managed on my own but a bit of a scrat...that bloody bracket thing attached in the middle of the beam....what's that all about? Anyway pics coming for a bit of advise.....(well a lot probably).... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ricardo 0 Posted November 2, 2008 Thought the strip down was going well. Everything was eventually coming apart. Nothing too seized or broken....until trying to split the arms from the tubes and tortion bars! A bit of friendly persuasion, one side came away easy with a tap with the hammer, the other side wouldn't shift until... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ricardo 0 Posted November 2, 2008 Your views on these please.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ricardo 0 Posted November 2, 2008 No wonder they were tight! deep scoring on tube and shaft. Couldn't see any rollers at all, there was just wot looked like half a shell bearing! Would it be cheaper to buy a full recon beam and add mounts? Or buy a tube, shafts, bearings, seals etc..? I would need to get someone to press the old shafts out and then in with the new. Anyone recommend anyone round Nuneaton, Midlands (Tony 205) as I'm gonna get some refurbed wheels while I'm down there. Once again your advise is most well and truly appreciated... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DamirGTI 342 Posted November 2, 2008 (edited) I hate to say this but that beam is scrap iron however nothing unusual these days .. save the torsion bars/arb , arms , shocks (if they're still good ...) and scrap the beam tube .. You should be able to find good second hand beam over here , or at least just the beam tube and then you can rebuild it by yourself with this saved parts from your beam (torsion bars , arms etc.) and an set of bearings and new arm shafts .. (new beam tube is a bit pricey , on the other hand it's suppled with bearings already pre-fitted so me thinks that it's up to you on how long you've been planing to keep this car really .. but still , bar the beam tube , you'll need new arm shafts as well and you'll need to buy them separately ..) Damir Edited November 2, 2008 by DamirGTI Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ricardo 0 Posted November 2, 2008 Cheers Damir, Yeah as soon as I saw the arm/shaft coming out of the beam tube I could see it was a gonna! All the torsion bars/arb and shocks are spot on! Amazed at how good the shocks are. I had the car on e-bay with a winning bid but they never got in touch, then a week later.....So I'll probably keep the car. The underside is amazingly rot free!! Might get a set of gear linkages too! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ricardo 0 Posted November 8, 2008 Just been to local scrapper and for £35 they will take a 309 full beam assembly off too drums included! There is a 205 one also but a bit of lateral movement in that one. But I only want the crossmember & shafts. If I take it off...£15 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jackherer 543 Posted November 8, 2008 You'll need 309 bars for a 309 crossmember, 205 ones aren't long enough. Apologies if you know this already and I've missed something but it sounds like you are planning on rebuilding your 205 beam into a 309 non-GTI one... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ricardo 0 Posted November 8, 2008 Damn I read the part numbers wrong! 205=5148 48 309=5148 49 Thanks for that jackherer could save a lot of hasstle. How would the 205GTi be with the 309 assembly? Too soft? Didn't notice if the 309 was a GTi. Cheers Richard Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DamirGTI 342 Posted November 8, 2008 309 beam is nice upgrade as long as you use GTi torsion bars/ARB , so either try to find complete 309 GTi beam (but be careful that it's a good un !) , or still could build it using beam tube out of any 309 + arms from your old 205 GTi beam (if you find good 309 beam from base model with drum brakes just whip off the arms and fit 205 ones with discs brakes ..) + and most important you'll need to find 309 GTi torsion bars/arb (or could use Peugeot Partner/Ctroen Berlingo torsion bars + 306 GTi-6 ARB ..) fit them on and that's it .. Damir Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ricardo 0 Posted November 8, 2008 Cheers again Damir......Help!! Overload overload....I have read hours and hours of searched posts..and been on "servicebox" for hours comparing part numbers this afternoon... sorry to go on but it is so good being able to learn about these things from those that know ...here goes..(but first how do I know from/to series number my car relates?) 309 GTi beam will go straight in? (although I would strip it out and refurb) Standard would but too soft? Standard 309 with 309 GTi ARBs/TBs OK? I can pick up a 205 crossmember for £55 used but clean and ready for bearings. the 309 arm shafts if good will do as these are the same and the 205 GTi ARB/TBs... Thanks again Richard Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boombang 2 Posted November 8, 2008 309 GTi beam will go straight in? (although I would strip it out and refurb)Standard would but too soft? Standard 309 with 309 GTi ARBs/TBs OK? I can pick up a 205 crossmember for £55 used but clean and ready for bearings. the 309 arm shafts if good will do as these are the same and the 205 GTi ARB/TBs... 309 beam straight fit, just need to turn around the rear mounts to suit (obvious when you have them in your hand!) A base model 309 beam will be too sort, but Gti spec is fine. I have a set of 21.5mm torsion bars for a 309 beam if you get stuck. To fit the discs you will need to swap the stub axles over as discs one's longer. I actually have all the bits to fit discs plus calipers and discs if you were stuck again (I swapped to drums for the rallycar) The 309 shafts are the same, but likely to need replacing even on a base model - you might get lucky though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ricardo 0 Posted November 20, 2008 I got two complete beams in the end. The scrap man took a 309 and a 205 off cars for me, I just went and picked them up...£40 for both Stripped the 205 down and it's good so don't need the 309 one! two top pics are original the two bottom pics are off the scrapper! Must have been refurbed in the past as all the seals and cups are sweet! Mind you new ones are going on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
munster 0 Posted November 24, 2008 I think you got very lucky there. Good find! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
