Xantia back arm bearing replacement.

mirafioriman · Unread post by **mirafioriman** » 03 Mar 2012, 21:08

When I was doing my suspension work on the Xantia I noticed that the drivers side back arm bearing is failing.

I've done a couple of BX back arm bearings so it shouldn't be a problem to do. On the net I've found a kit from AEP for around £30

http://www.aepdirect.com/rear-arm-beari ... ory_id=754

Is this an ok part for a good price?

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 03 Mar 2012, 22:14

I can't speak for that particular kit as I've only bought arm kits from GSF who IIRC sell SKF one's (they worked fine) the one in that link photo looks to have all of the required parts from what I can see.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 04 Mar 2012, 10:11

AEP normally sell only OE or good stuff so you should be fine. If you do get this one it'll be interesting to see how makes it.

It's a jolly good price...

Unread post by **Rhothgar** » 04 Mar 2012, 10:29

Do Xantias exhibit the same canted in look when the rear arm bearings fail and also at what approx. mileage?

I'd like to know as I am scheduling work to do on mine at the moment after having replaced discs and pads all round with genuine Citroen parts yesterday.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 04 Mar 2012, 10:40

Rhothgar wrote:Do Xantias exhibit the same canted in look when the rear arm bearings fail and also at what approx. mileage?

Yes, and they can also creak like an old door when going up and down and show odd tyre wear. Mileage? Depends on many factors. I guess the best factor is how well greased they were when the car was made. Some greases had a terrible habit of drying out and this is the normal cause of wheel bearings dying...

Unread post by **myglaren** » 04 Mar 2012, 10:45

They do indeed but as far a mileage is concerned it appears to be very variable.
The C5 is the same and I have no evidence of it on mine at nearly 150,000 where others have failed at around 50,000, same with clutches and DMFs.

It seems to be that cars that have had their rear axles submerged in floods and fords fail soon after due to corrosion from water ingress as the bearings are insufficiently packed with grease.
Perhaps the same applies to cars used in very wet conditions for short trips as they could be drenched but not heat up enough to disperse the water.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 04 Mar 2012, 11:04

myglaren wrote:It seems to be that cars that have had their rear axles submerged in floods and fords

That conjurers up an image Steve

I pictured a C5 buried in a pile of Cortinas. Yep, the bearings would definitely catch a nasty dose of corrosion from being so close Dagenham's finest...

Unread post by **myglaren** » 04 Mar 2012, 11:07

mirafioriman · Unread post by **mirafioriman** » 04 Mar 2012, 18:55

Thanks for all the advice. Mine has done over 150,000 not sure if it haqs ever had them done though. The passenger side seems fine but not the drivers side.

When I've saved up I'll order that kit then

Unread post by **Rhothgar** » 04 Mar 2012, 21:27

Thanks for the additional info. Funny that because Haynes states they are designed to be maintenance-free for life!

mirafioriman · Unread post by **mirafioriman** » 04 Mar 2012, 22:50

I guess they are maintenance free but like everything else they wear out eventually and need replaced.

citronut · Unread post by **citronut** » 05 Mar 2012, 13:03

dont see how they can say maintenance-free for life, spoz it depends on what/who'z life,

as the seals must wear and then allow damp/water into the bearings, so it must be the life of the seals then,

regards malcolm

Unread post by **myglaren** » 05 Mar 2012, 18:03

The life of the bearings

When they fail, their life is over

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 05 Mar 2012, 21:02

Exactly! And when their guaranteed life is over, they're guaranteed to be munted.

lancia58 · Unread post by **lancia58** » 06 Mar 2012, 12:19

Hi

I need to do the same job for my Xantia. Is there a thread that describes how to do it ?

Zohar

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