bx rear susp arms

[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

[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.

[Stickyfinger]

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.

[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 )
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

[Gibbo2286]

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.

[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

[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.

Peter

[Gibbo2286]

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.

[Stickyfinger]

Just pulling it mate

[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?

[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,

[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.

[white exec]

...Presumably just to eliminate any end-float, and then lightly load the bearings. Doesn't sound amiss.

[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

[white exec]

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