Bent Front Hub on Xantia HDI?

[harryp]

Gentlemen,
Have a problem I need help with. Removed near side front hub from my Xantia HDI 110 and took it to my local garage to have both the wheel bearing and the lower ball joint replaced - both supplied by me. I know from posts here that it takes considerable force to remove the lower joint. I could not move it at all with my somewhat limited facilities. I fitted a new CV gaiter and replaced the hub. The problem is that the disk rubs on the caliper bracket at the top. The disk is central at the lower gap but the inboard side touches and leaves a gap of 8-10mm? on the outboard side. I have removed and replaced it 3 times but no improvement. The Simple Simon in me would indicate that the hub is bent???? I can't imagine that it is possible to distort the mounting flange out of line . I reckon that the braking force must be taken by the shear on the faces rather than by the bolts so am reluctant to use a shim to correct the gap which would then also affect the mating of the faces. All seems ok until replaced. Anyone know/spot my obvious mistake? I ran the car gently round the block but was accompanied by a slight scraping sound (obviously!). It was also accompanied by a rattle from, I think, the off side drive shaft which sounded like the inner joint. Jacked up it was like play in the gearbox.... a sharp metallic tap as play was taken up each way. As it was dark I have left it for the moment. Any possible ideas as to causes for these problems?
I also have a current drain of 250 mA, so will be removing fuses till I find the circuit responsible. At the moment seems if it isn't one thing, it's another . All responses gratefully received.

[citronut]

sounds to me the garage fitting the bearings bent the hub carrier in there press!!!!!

were are you located

[handyman]

Yep, Malcolm is right, the hub carrier is bent & its a bit difficult to resolve this issue as the distortion will affect both the steering angle & the lead in of the steering on turns. Much as the carrier looks quite subsatntial, it can be distorted if abused when fitting either lower ball joints or bearings.

8-10mm looks quite excessive, so they must have really mullered the carrier. Any external marks?

Braking force runs through the sliding pivot pin of the caliper carrier & thence through the two large Torx bolts holding the caliper carrier to the hub carrier. The flat faces between the two are purely for alignment & add nothing to dissipate braking force baring surface contact area. If you do shim out the distortion, assuming its possible, you'd need to make sure that the shim has a large contact area. You'd do better to change the hub carrier in this critical area.

I might be able to help with the carrier, as can Malcolm, as I've got a pair sitting on a redundany car, but I cannot vouch for the bearing nor the ball joint.

Handyman

[harryp]

Thanks indeed for the fast responses. Sadly I am a long way from both of you, in a very frosty Telford. Well it confirms what I reluctantly thought might have happened. I did the previous same bearing using my then neighbours press but have since moved; and it was a simple job, so have to assume removing the lower ball joint was to blame - but I still have difficultly imagining how they managed it. I am always wary of sheer brute force without being very, very careful in it's application. Yes there are vice marks and IIRC they were on the carrier lugs. So yes, need another hub. I have a "pipe problem" Exclusive on the drive, so to get me back on the road I will change over the hub and probably the O/S drive shaft as well and worry about it all later. Obviously am very interested in another hub, but having the other car does remove the urgency. I wonder if the Citroën courier service can cope between us? I am also after a drivers door seal for said vehicle and a pipe from the top N/S strut to wherever it goes on an Exclusive as I've no idea if they are the same as the Forte.... think probably not so will be in the market for one of those too! Maybe you can pm me, but at least the urgency goes for the moment. Now to have words with the garage!
Kind regards, H

[citronut]

as the distortion will affect both the steering angle & the lead in of the steering on turns. Much as the carrier looks quite subsatntial, it can be distorted if abused when fitting either lower ball joints or bearings.

Handyman

well not necessarily true,

as all it takes to cause the caliper alignment issue, would be for one or both the caliper carrier mounting lugs on the hub carrier to be bent

[citronut]

if you send me the last 8 digits of your chassis/VIN No. i will get you the price and part No. for the pipes,

also the last 8 of the chassis No. for the Exclusive, then i can tell you if the pipe and hub are the same

[harryp]

Malcolm,
Pardon the delay, but as soon as I can find the "safe place" I consigned the Exclusive keys to, I'll get right back!

[harryp]

Malcolm, pipes are definitely not the same, Exc are 10mm dia at a guess. Will wait until I have hub and inner shield off so I can get at it properly and not guess. Will also require an HDI engine cover as it's missing and have had to leave the bonnet unfastened as opening it came very close to snapping the lever as the cable is seized. Haynes seems to think its a dash out job! Any comment?
As for the hubs, Forte VIN 72405104 Excl 72334419.

[citronut]

here is price and part No. of the N/S/F strut feed pipe from citroen

Part Number Description Quantity Price excl. VAT Price incl. VAT Total incl. VAT Selection
0000527096 HYDRAULIC TUBE 16.17 GBP 19.40 GBP 19.40 GBP


hubs for both chassis No.'s are the same part No. 364643

pm. sent

[harryp]

Thank you for the info - is the pipe for the Forte or the Excl pipe?
Off to garage first thing tomorrow regarding the hub.
Regards, Harry

[citronut]

Thank you for the info - is the pipe for the Forte or the Excl pipe?
Regards, Harry

for the Forte

another pm. sent

[citronut]

thought i'd copy this into this thread from PM.'s between Harry and myself

quote harryp
"Car is back at garage at the moment. They reckon they only used 14" stilsons to remove the ball joint; (odd, as I couldn't get it to move with a breaker bar, not that I persevered having read the posts) and they also reckon they can straighten it! I have to say I am a little doubtful as to the finished job. No I didn't bend it as I tried in Oct and it went back ok and has since been MOT'd!!
Many thanks again and kind regards,
Harry"


they were more likely to bend the caliper mounting lug/s when pressing the bearing in/out,

not so likely when doing the swivel joint

and i would think unless they are going to use oxy acetylene to heat up the carrier, they will fracture it trying to straighten it cold, as its cast iron,

also if they do heat it up with oxy acetylene this in turn will destroy the new bearing!!!!

[harryp]

Ouch!, although in line with my (engineering) thoughts. Seemed to drive ok back from garage, but will get the wheel off and check it carefully. Will have to advance the schedule on the Exclusive methinks.
For the moment, thank you Malcolm and Handyman for all your advice and time.
Take care