Rear Axle Replacement - Citroen Xsara

[dandare1980]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone could offer some tips or advice on the replacement of a complete rear axle assembly on a MK1 Xsara Estate.

For a while a squeaking noise has been heard from the rear off side wheel. On closer inspection this weekend I have found the inside of the wheel arch to be rubbed back to shiny metal. A quick search on this forum and it looks likely to be a failed axle bearing.

Many recommend replacing the whole axle assembly, rather than individual components, due to the complexity of disassembly and the chances that the failed bearing has done damage which would render the axle unserviceable.

So, I have taken the plunge and spent £250 on one of these http://www.imaxle.co.uk/axles/xsara-estate-drum-no-abs.

Reading through my trusty Haynes manual it mentions that the rear wheel bearings, which on an estate are integral to the hub, would most likely be damaged on removal. If this is likely, should I also order a pair of new rear hubs? That's another £80......

Any experiences or suggestions would be most welcome.

Thanks,

Dan.

[Rooky1]

I had no trouble when I changed my dads rear axle on his xsara, just disconnected the abs sensors from their plugs and the brake lines then it was a case of 4 bolts if I recall to drop the axle

[CitroJim]

This was a perennial problem on the 205 Dan and always best to use a fully refurbished axle as you'll most likely find yours is beyond DIY repair anyway. If the thing has failed to the extent that the wheel is rubbing the inner wing then the bearing housing is more than likely to have worn oval...

The actual swap, as Rooky says, is normally very easy... Do take an opportunity to check the rear sandwich mounts when swapping them though as they can deteriorate and whilst looking OK on the surface they can fall apart on disassembly...

[citronut]

service citroen show the hub/drive flange and bearing as one unit, so its probably similar to the BX rear hub were one race of the bearing is machined on/into the actual hub itself,

with the BX the inner inner race usually pulls out of the bearing and gets stuck on the stub axle, so quite often it is required to get the angle grinder out to aid removal,

if this is the case you will not be able to purchase the bearing without the hub,

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

i can then also send you your cars birth certificate

[dandare1980]

Thank you for your lightning quick responses chaps and some good information.

Malcolm, I've sent you a PM with my VIN.

Jim, can you recommend a source for the sandwich mounts?

While I'm disturbing the area, would there be any sense in me also changing the rear shocks, or are these easy enough to swap out later if needed?

Dan.

[CitroJim]

Jim, can you recommend a source for the sandwich mounts?

Dan, I'd go for genuine ones of your current ones look to be past their best...

Yes, definitely renew the shocks... Get some good after-market ones...

[citronut]

here is price and OE part No. for the hub/drive flange with bearing

Part Number Description Quantity Price excl. VAT Price incl. VAT Total incl. VAT Selection
374831 HUB ASSEMBLY 131.10 GBP 157.32 GBP 157.32 GBP

you can always do a goooogly search with the part No. to see if someone has NOS = new old stock

there seems to be varient options for the forward most rear sub frame mounts below are the two options for left and right as these are also handed

5131 69
REAR CROSSMEMBER FLEXIB JOINTS
LEFT
AV
PAULSTRA -
SEE NOTE

5131 82
LE-2008
LEFT
AV
RENNES B.T. -

5131 70
RIGHT
AV
PAULSTRA -
SEE NOTE

5131 83
LE-2008
RIGHT
AV
RENNES B.T. -

"see note"
"NOTE : ON XU7JP4 GPL IMPERATIVE ASSEMBLY"

and here is price and part No. for the rearmost rear sub frame bush/'s
these are not handed and only the one option

Part Number Description Quantity Price excl. VAT Price incl. VAT Total incl. VAT Selection
0000513171 FLEXIBLE JOINT 23.55 GBP 28.26 GBP 28.26 GBP

i personally would try GSF and aim the part No.'s for the bush's at them,

certainly do noit use E*C*P especially for there rubbery components as they do not last a year!!!!

[CitroJim]

certainly do noit use E*C*P especially for there rubbery components as they do not last a year!!!!

You might say they're 'rubberish' Malcolm...

[dandare1980]

Thank you for all the detailed information and my car's birth certificate Malcolm!

I'm a bit concerned with how the costs are quickly adding up, so I have cast my search for parts a bit wider.......

Bearings/Hubs: They don''t seem to have these available in GSF (or Eurocarparts for that matter) anyway. Anyone have an opinion on Continental Branded stuff like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Citroen-Xsara ... 2a1580c32a?

Shock Absorbers: Again, what are Continental like: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261557525235? ... Track=true?

GSF list the 3 rubber axle mounts, I have no idea how the variations available on Service Citroen apply to finding the right part for my vehicle, but I hope GSF's website has found the right ones based on my registration.

(1) http://www.gsfcarparts.com/101pc0132

(2) http://www.gsfcarparts.com/101pc0092

(3) http://www.gsfcarparts.com/101pc0112

Thanks again for all the advice.

Dan.

[lexi]

Try Mr Auto as well. They are French based.

[citronut]

have you tried giving GSF a call and aim the bearing/hub OE No. at them,

it seems to me the citroen OE variants "PAULSTRA and RENNES B.T" are just different brands ( dont know for sure )
those GSF bush's again they are offering two alternative's for each one, these will be different qualities,

i dont not what the draw backs will be of trying to fit just the bearings in your existing hubs,

i know when i tried this on a 307 the bearing retaining circlip ( with no ears to use circlip pliers in!!!!! ) was so far/deep into the hub it was near impossible to get anything at it to pries it out,

the other deciding factor on the 307 was the hub and the disc are all one piece, and the rear discs on this car were near the end of there life anyway,

[Lighty]

I have a Snap on 3 legged hub puller, it gets these bearings off almost every time, in 1 piece with no damage, great piece of kit, saves me a fortune.

[dandare1980]

Hi,

Thanks to all for the replies.

The axle arrived earlier this week from im axle specialists, pictured below.

Purchased all 4 rear subframe mounts (2x rear, 1x left, 1x right) from GSF, it was their Vetech branded stuff so not sure of the quality but cost £46 all in.

The OE part references match up with Malcolm's Citroen Service data (5131 71 for rear, 5131 69 for left, 513170 for right).

Just waiting for the new shocks and hub/bearings, got these from Mister Auto, thanks for that tip lexi. They were the cheaper BOLK branded ones, which may not be fantastic, but the repair bill has already gone past the threshold whereby I am struggling to justify paying out more.

Dan.

[citronut]

i find Vetech parts quite good on quality

[lexi]

The gear looks good........that'll transform the vehicle.