bx rear susp arms

This is the Forum for all your Citroen Technical Questions, Problems or Advice.

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
User avatar
moizeau
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 1580
Joined: 12 Jan 2015, 16:08
Location: France 36
My Cars: 91 BX TZD Estate. Dead but loved
407 HDI 136 auto
C4 2l petrol coupé
2010 Dispatch III HDI 90
AND a 1980 Z1000ST
AND a 1983 GPz1100 inj
AND a 1995 Zephyr 1100
AND a 1980 Z650 (my moped)
x 315

bx rear susp arms

Post by moizeau »

I fitted the refurb kit to the lh rear trailing arm due to excessive play and camber about 2 years ago. What I didn't know was that there is a pre-load shim. So I still have the poor camber and it's causing abnormal wear on the tyre. Having since read a lot of articles on doing the job, I haven't found any info on how you select the correct shim? Is it a case of measuring or do you just start at the largest, going smaller until you can get one to fit?
The car's just gone through the CT, so it's worth doing.

On a by the way - does everyone living in France know the CT is coming into line with the rest of Europe from May next year, including a plug in to a diagnostic if it's 2007 or newer, also any welding will need to be done by a body shop, with the bill available as proof. No DIY welding allowed

Thanks in advance
Pete
Notice the BX is still top the list but sadly gone
User avatar
white exec
Moderating Team
Posts: 7445
Joined: 21 Dec 2015, 12:46
Location: Sayalonga, Malaga, Spain
My Cars: 1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive hatch RHD
1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: bx rear susp arms

Post by white exec »

Hi Moizeau

I did this job on a BX years ago. Hardest work was drifting out the old bearings, without the special tools. Did it all the same.

If you have a copy, look at the Haynes BX Manual (908), p.235-7 (section 9 - rear suspension arm).
It says there that changing/replacing the spacer (shim) is only necessary if the suspension arm is being renewed, and the free play needs to be adjusted. I guess the factory selected the right shim for the arm.

I just replaced the bearings (Citroen parts), and all was well thereafter.

If you need these Haynes pages scanned and posted, just shout.
Chris
User avatar
Stickyfinger
(Donor 2016)
Posts: 10411
Joined: 28 Mar 2013, 21:05
Location: Somset my lovleee
My Cars: Xantia V6 ACTIVA 3ltr 24v Manual p1
Xm 2.1TD Ph2 Exclusive
AX, little Daffodil
SAXO White Mk1. Sally
x 1280
Contact:

Re: bx rear susp arms

Post by Stickyfinger »

moizeau wrote: 20 Oct 2017, 18:34 On a by the way - does everyone living in France know the CT is coming into line with the rest of Europe from May next year, including a plug in to a diagnostic if it's 2007 or newer, also any welding will need to be done by a body shop, with the bill available as proof. No DIY welding allowed

Thanks in advance


Geeze, how Fing stupid....so a qualified welder in Aero Space cannot weld his own car ? .....ridiculous.
Alasdair
Activa, the Moose Rider
3x C5x7 Steering racks and counting
User avatar
citroenguy
(Donor 2021)
Posts: 186
Joined: 21 Sep 2017, 18:05
Location: Luleå, in the far north of Sweden
Lexia Available: Yes
My Cars: Hobby car + daily: 1996 Xantia 1.9TD SX 84k miles

Past:
Citroën C5 I 2.0i 16V SX Saloon-04
Citroën BX16RS -88 stolen and burned :(
Citroën BX 19GTi -89
Citroën C5 II 2.0i 16v -05
Citroën ZX 1.8i 16V Break -96
2x Rover 620 Sterling
Rover 620Ti
Volvo 850
Various C5 and Xantia bought and sold
x 55

Re: bx rear susp arms

Post by citroenguy »

I found something in my small cache of Citroën files..
This is the rear suspension part of the factory BX workshop manual (in Swedish ofcourse :-D )
Noteworthy translations:
Axial play in the conical bearings on the suspension arms 0,17 to 0,30 mm
Adjustment shims, suspension arms 0,15 to 0,95 mm
"The adjustment shim is placed on the outer side of the suspension arm"

See page 8 to 10 for the adjustment method, they are using special tools ofcourse.
I hope the linky works

https://files.acrobat.com/a/preview/7af ... 167a68b22f

/Mikael
I have various repair handbooks and wiring diagrams for C5 mk1, Xantia, XM, Berlingo and C3 mk1.
I have Lexia/Diagbox (Sweden) and Servicebox/sedre
Gibbo2286
(Donor 2020)
Posts: 7172
Joined: 08 Jun 2011, 18:04
Location: GL15***
My Cars: 2006 C5 2.0 Litre HDI VTR Automatic Estate.(now sold on)
Currently Renault Zoe 2014 ZE
x 2500

Re: bx rear susp arms

Post by Gibbo2286 »

Stickyfinger wrote: 20 Oct 2017, 20:01
moizeau wrote: 20 Oct 2017, 18:34 On a by the way - does everyone living in France know the CT is coming into line with the rest of Europe from May next year, including a plug in to a diagnostic if it's 2007 or newer, also any welding will need to be done by a body shop, with the bill available as proof. No DIY welding allowed

Thanks in advance


Geeze, how Fing stupid....so a qualified welder in Aero Space cannot weld his own car ? .....ridiculous.


Likewise here, a qualified mechanic with fifty years experience has to take his car to the eighteen year old 'who's done the course' to get it certified as roadworthy. :(
Man is, by nature, a lazy beast, he does not need twice encouraging to do nothing.
User avatar
Stickyfinger
(Donor 2016)
Posts: 10411
Joined: 28 Mar 2013, 21:05
Location: Somset my lovleee
My Cars: Xantia V6 ACTIVA 3ltr 24v Manual p1
Xm 2.1TD Ph2 Exclusive
AX, little Daffodil
SAXO White Mk1. Sally
x 1280
Contact:

Re: bx rear susp arms

Post by Stickyfinger »

So you know all the ways of covering up shoddy workmanship then and how to pull the wool over the 18 year olds eyes :)
Alasdair
Activa, the Moose Rider
3x C5x7 Steering racks and counting
Peter.N.
Moderating Team
Posts: 11563
Joined: 02 Apr 2005, 16:11
Location: Charmouth,Dorset
My Cars: Currently:

C5 X7 VTR + Satnav Hdi estate Silver
C5 X7 VTR + Hdi Estate 2008 Red

In the past: 3, CX td Safaris and about 7, XM td estates. Lovely cars.
x 1199

Re: bx rear susp arms

Post by Peter.N. »

I have done a number of trailing bearing replacements on BX, CX, XM and C5 and never had a problem, if the angle of the arm is sufficient to cause tyre wear I would think that either the new bearing has failed or the arm was worn internally allowing the bearing to move. I always pack the space between the two bearings with grease on reassembly, I think the shim is a red herring, or maybe silver metal. :wink:

Peter
Gibbo2286
(Donor 2020)
Posts: 7172
Joined: 08 Jun 2011, 18:04
Location: GL15***
My Cars: 2006 C5 2.0 Litre HDI VTR Automatic Estate.(now sold on)
Currently Renault Zoe 2014 ZE
x 2500

Re: bx rear susp arms

Post by Gibbo2286 »

Stickyfinger wrote: 21 Oct 2017, 09:59 So you know all the ways of covering up shoddy workmanship then and how to pull the wool over the 18 year olds eyes :)


:) Not my style Alasdair, I like things right, that way there are no comebacks.
Man is, by nature, a lazy beast, he does not need twice encouraging to do nothing.
User avatar
Stickyfinger
(Donor 2016)
Posts: 10411
Joined: 28 Mar 2013, 21:05
Location: Somset my lovleee
My Cars: Xantia V6 ACTIVA 3ltr 24v Manual p1
Xm 2.1TD Ph2 Exclusive
AX, little Daffodil
SAXO White Mk1. Sally
x 1280
Contact:

Re: bx rear susp arms

Post by Stickyfinger »

Just pulling it mate :)
Alasdair
Activa, the Moose Rider
3x C5x7 Steering racks and counting
User avatar
moizeau
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 1580
Joined: 12 Jan 2015, 16:08
Location: France 36
My Cars: 91 BX TZD Estate. Dead but loved
407 HDI 136 auto
C4 2l petrol coupé
2010 Dispatch III HDI 90
AND a 1980 Z1000ST
AND a 1983 GPz1100 inj
AND a 1995 Zephyr 1100
AND a 1980 Z650 (my moped)
x 315

Re: bx rear susp arms

Post by moizeau »

Thanks for all that, this was a SKF bearing kit, I read that the shim (as mentioned is on the outer side) should stay with the car. I didn't see one. Either it was well chewed or fell on the grass. The trailing arm was well packed with grease and looked in good condition with no obvious wear. Apparently it's the same procedure with the Xantai and the assorted shims can bought from Cit? I read that that it is there to 'pre-load- the taper rollers before the through bolt is tightened. But how do you judge what size goes in?
Thanks again
Thanks for the workshop manual pics, just one question, what is being measured? The arm with the bearings fitted and the gap where it goes in the chassis?
Pete
Notice the BX is still top the list but sadly gone
User avatar
citroenguy
(Donor 2021)
Posts: 186
Joined: 21 Sep 2017, 18:05
Location: Luleå, in the far north of Sweden
Lexia Available: Yes
My Cars: Hobby car + daily: 1996 Xantia 1.9TD SX 84k miles

Past:
Citroën C5 I 2.0i 16V SX Saloon-04
Citroën BX16RS -88 stolen and burned :(
Citroën BX 19GTi -89
Citroën C5 II 2.0i 16v -05
Citroën ZX 1.8i 16V Break -96
2x Rover 620 Sterling
Rover 620Ti
Volvo 850
Various C5 and Xantia bought and sold
x 55

Re: bx rear susp arms

Post by citroenguy »

I seems that they are measuring the arm with bearings and seals (?) fitted with the special tool, compared to the length of the bearing shaft,
I have various repair handbooks and wiring diagrams for C5 mk1, Xantia, XM, Berlingo and C3 mk1.
I have Lexia/Diagbox (Sweden) and Servicebox/sedre
RichardW
Forum Treasurer
Posts: 10814
Joined: 07 Aug 2002, 17:12
Location: United Kingdom
My Cars: MK2 '17 C4GP 1.6 BlueHDi 120
'13 3008 1.6 HDi GripControl
x 984

Re: bx rear susp arms

Post by RichardW »

Allegedly the shim set is still available, part number 514327 - same is listed for the Xantia and C5. Can't get a price as service.citroen is playing up.

I'm sure I read somewhere that in the absence of the proper tools, you can set the pre-load close enough by selecting a shim that just allows the arm to drop under its own weight.
Richard W
User avatar
white exec
Moderating Team
Posts: 7445
Joined: 21 Dec 2015, 12:46
Location: Sayalonga, Malaga, Spain
My Cars: 1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive hatch RHD
1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: bx rear susp arms

Post by white exec »

...Presumably just to eliminate any end-float, and then lightly load the bearings. Doesn't sound amiss.
Chris
User avatar
moizeau
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 1580
Joined: 12 Jan 2015, 16:08
Location: France 36
My Cars: 91 BX TZD Estate. Dead but loved
407 HDI 136 auto
C4 2l petrol coupé
2010 Dispatch III HDI 90
AND a 1980 Z1000ST
AND a 1983 GPz1100 inj
AND a 1995 Zephyr 1100
AND a 1980 Z650 (my moped)
x 315

Re: bx rear susp arms

Post by moizeau »

That would make sense Richard, similar principle to Landrover wheel bearings and the shim is to centralise the four halves of the two tapered bearings because it can't be done just using the nut (like a wheel bearing because the arm is 'suspended in the carrier. It will be interesting to see how easy it is to squeeze a shim in with the limited access.
I read somewhere that the shims come in a packet of varying sizes to give you a choice. Just need to track some down.

I thought they may be measuring the arm with bearings and seals, then measuring the gap in the carrier?
Thanks again
Pete
Notice the BX is still top the list but sadly gone
User avatar
white exec
Moderating Team
Posts: 7445
Joined: 21 Dec 2015, 12:46
Location: Sayalonga, Malaga, Spain
My Cars: 1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive hatch RHD
1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: bx rear susp arms

Post by white exec »

As Richard says, listed as still available "shim set"', 22x30mm
Same part for C15, BX, XM, Xan, C5.
Chris
Post Reply