C5 rear suspension arm bearings

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Forevertonian
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C5 rear suspension arm bearings

Post by Forevertonian »

My C5 developed a fault on the calipers which turned into a massive saga.
So I got a cob on and left it on the drive for 6 months cos the job of replacing the calipers and handbrake looked a hassle when I knew the rear suspension arm bearings needed doing.
Yesterday I jumped it and it started first flick, no smoke nothing.
Suitably impressed I'm thinking of getting it up and running again.
I've seen the kits on eBay for not much money, but my mate (who is a very good mechanic) says to get a good second hand leg.
Which is the cheaper/easier solution?
I'm in the market for a set of calipers and the bearings if anyone has any?
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Re: C5 rear suspension arm bearings

Post by Paul-R »

I bought two rear arm bearing kits for my mk1 C5 a few years ago but sold the car before getting around to fitting them. I'll need to hunt them out first though!

Whereabouts in Britain are you?
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Re: C5 rear suspension arm bearings

Post by MGmike »

New rear callipers are cheap enough and I wouldn't even think about used ones.
Yes fitting used rear arms will be a little quicker but at what risk? How can you check what life is left in both the pivot and wheel bearings? Plus whole arms will likely be more expensive!

Fit new and be done with it IMHO. The only hard part is getting the outer races out of the arm. Easy if you have an internal bearing puller, slow(ish) if you use a die grinder but still not difficult.

Front callipers are a little more expensive but again IMHO worth replacing if they are 10 years (100k miles) or older. Handbrake cables are a whole other story!!! Getting replacement cable tubes in can be a nightmare and will need the front subframe dropped slightly :shock:
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Re: C5 rear suspension arm bearings

Post by Forevertonian »

I'm in Liverpool Paul
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Re: C5 rear suspension arm bearings

Post by Peter.N. »

I removed my bearing outers quite simply. If you have a welder, preferably a stick welder, remove the inner part of the bearing - it will probably fall out anyway, run a ring of weld around the inside of the outer, when it cools you should be able to prise it out with a couple of screwdrivers. It will be quite loose as when it cools the weld metal will contract contract. This was on XM's but I think the early C5 is the same.

Peter
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Re: C5 rear suspension arm bearings

Post by Paul-R »

Sorta thought you might be from your name but you never can be sure. I'll look for them today.
As I get older I think a lot about the hereafter - I go into a room and then wonder what I'm here after.

Inside every old person is a young person wondering what the hell happened.

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Forevertonian
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Re: C5 rear suspension arm bearings

Post by Forevertonian »

Thanks Paul
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Re: C5 rear suspension arm bearings

Post by Paul-R »

I went straight to where I last remembered them being and... they weren't there!

Still looking...
As I get older I think a lot about the hereafter - I go into a room and then wonder what I'm here after.

Inside every old person is a young person wondering what the hell happened.

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Re: C5 rear suspension arm bearings

Post by myglaren »

Look for something else and you will find them, but not whatever you are looking for.
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Re: C5 rear suspension arm bearings

Post by Forevertonian »

Has anyone tried the ones on eBay?
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Re: C5 rear suspension arm bearings

Post by Paul-R »

I am still looking but that's where I bought mine from.

If you can't wait any longer I would quite understand if you bought a set elsewhere.
As I get older I think a lot about the hereafter - I go into a room and then wonder what I'm here after.

Inside every old person is a young person wondering what the hell happened.

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Forevertonian
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Re: C5 rear suspension arm bearings

Post by Forevertonian »

I'm in no mad rush to fit them.
I'm looking at November to put it back on the road.
Do you remember which seller you bought them off?
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Re: C5 rear suspension arm bearings

Post by Paul-R »

Ebay records only go back three years and it was well before that. Sorry.
As I get older I think a lot about the hereafter - I go into a room and then wonder what I'm here after.

Inside every old person is a young person wondering what the hell happened.

"Trying is the first step towards failure" ~ Homer J Simpson​
Forevertonian
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Re: C5 rear suspension arm bearings

Post by Forevertonian »

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Paul-R
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Re: C5 rear suspension arm bearings

Post by Paul-R »

Well, after ten months the two bearing kits showed up when my wife was moving some of her ju... crafty items in her work room. I know you said you weren't in a hurry (and was last active here in August!) but I've got 'em now.
As I get older I think a lot about the hereafter - I go into a room and then wonder what I'm here after.

Inside every old person is a young person wondering what the hell happened.

"Trying is the first step towards failure" ~ Homer J Simpson​
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