zx drums, wheel bearings????

ZXturbo_Aura · Unread post by **ZXturbo_Aura** » 11 Feb 2004, 03:27

hi,
i have purchased rear drums for my zx, and a friend(mechanic) of mine said that i need to get new rear bearings at the same time, for the drums carry the bearings, is this true?? do i need to buy the bearings, because they aint cheap!
Dan

Guru Meditation · Unread post by **Guru Meditation** » 11 Feb 2004, 03:46

There are only two ways;
1) Fit new bearings;
2) Press the old ones out and reuse them.
It is possible to press them out but there is a better than average chance the bearings will be fcuked by removal.
When I replaced my drums I bought bearings as well simply because I couldn't be bothered to risk finding out that the old bearings were knackered then having to buy new bearings anyway.

Stuart McB · Unread post by **Stuart McB** » 12 Feb 2004, 00:27

Guru did changing the drums stop the wheel / brake wobble you were having. I've changed the front disc's and pads, new tyres, suspension both front and rear but at between 40 & 50 mph I have this brake wobble stil. I can live with it but the wife can't as she's used to her top of the range ford focus (2 mile a day journey).

ZXturbo_Aura · Unread post by **ZXturbo_Aura** » 12 Feb 2004, 23:20

is it worth replacing the flexi hoses? just incase they are bulging when in use?? im willing to try anything to improve the brakes!
Dan

Guru Meditation · Unread post by **Guru Meditation** » 13 Feb 2004, 22:07

My main brake wobble from my ZX TD actually disappeared when I swapped the front and rear wheels over! I've since had new tyres fitted and greenstuff brake pads but I still find my brakes to be of unsatisfactory quality;
I still get vibration through the pedal and they just feel bad. Brake from 70-80mph they feel ok with reasonable bite but when you apply at say 40mph there is no good feel, they just don't feel as positive as I'd like.
I think the vibration may be being caused by my drivers side front wheel bearing which I believe is failing-I have just bought a new one, when I get round to replacing it I'll post back. If it still isn't that then I'm stumped as to a) Why I still get some vibration b) Why the brakes are so poor.
I've thought about replacing the flexible hoses with braided stuff that apparently doesn't expand at all. Is there some way to increase the amount of servo assistance available?
Also what about this valve that someone mentioned that is beneath the master cylinder? Is it possible to replace that?
There are many things I love about my ZX but certain things just p**s me off, between the bad brakes, ultra-heavy clutch and ropey gearchange they conspire to ruin the drive.
A rattling interior I can live with, blown dash bulbs I can live with, slow electric window I can live with, wobbly speedo I can live with etc etc I just wish the clutch was light, the gearchange was nice and light and smooth and that the brakes felt good. Sigh....

ZXturbo_Aura · Unread post by **ZXturbo_Aura** » 13 Feb 2004, 22:50

the clutch on mine was replaced about 10k ago, its perfect, this is my first car since passing my test and that was in a brand new clio 16v with a hydralic clutch, my zx is miles better and easier to drive, the clio clutch needed a lot of effort, it was much heavier than the zx. how olds your clutch??could be telling you it wants replacing?? i dont know about the gears but again, mine is great, feels like a rally car, it goes perfectly into gear, with a good positive feel,
Dan

James.UK · Unread post by **James.UK** » 13 Feb 2004, 23:13

I changed my Avantage callipers over to Volcane, bought new aero disks, greenstuff pads, and replaced the brake fluid. But my brakes were still more than a little iffy! But when I changed the master cylinder my brakes finaly woke up! They are *really* good now at all speeds.

Stuart McB · Unread post by **Stuart McB** » 13 Feb 2004, 23:26

As for the slow window's. Try this. Take off the door trim and have alook for the top mountd wheel where the motor lift cable goes over. trickle some light oil down the cable and then operate the window. the oil is taken in to the motor housing and lubricates it. My zx window's almost stopped but I tried this and they bat straight up now.As for the brakes. My tyres are brand new, suspenssion all new at the back, disc and pads all new. recent MOT gave all the shocks a pass as very good, new rear brake shoes, all hoses new and fine, new servo and master cylinder and that little non reteun valve all new pipping, just at between 50 to 40mph there's brake wobble felt but apart from that as you say I can live with all the other stuff.

Guru Meditation · Unread post by **Guru Meditation** » 14 Feb 2004, 02:38

I might try putting a new master cylinder on. My brakes aren't dangerous-overall stopping power is more than enough and they do bite harder with the greenstuff pads when they are warm-it's just the bad feel and small vibration that bugs me.
ZX_Turbo-I think my motor is on it's original clutch (110K mi) and the TD Cits are notorious for the clutch getting heavy as they age-the friction material usually doesn't wear out, the mechanism just gets so stiff it breaks up. My clutch must be due a replacement by now-I just don't know if I can face doing it. Don't trust Mr Clutch to do it and don't know any local trustworthy garages

James.UK · Unread post by **James.UK** » 14 Feb 2004, 05:42

Stu, did you get all your wheels balanced when you had your new tyres fitted? vibration at certain speeds is usually a wheel balance problem.

AthlonZX · Unread post by **AthlonZX** » 14 Feb 2004, 19:40

Stuart
Did you have you rear sub frame mounts done when you had your shock absorbers done? I had a very similar problem to yours with my ZX Aura TD, it started as a subtle vibration when de-celerating from 70-50 and gradually got worse (eventually becoming a knocking under heavy braking and going over speed-bumps). I had the mounts done and almost all the vibration under braking has gone.
Dave
K-reg 1993 Citroen ZX Aura TD 124680 [:)]miles

Stuart McB · Unread post by **Stuart McB** » 15 Feb 2004, 22:11

When I got the car I had the rear subframe mounts done as they were on their last legs. I also had the shocks and the brakes done at the rear at the same time. Thats when I noticed the brake wobble problem. Changed the front brake pads, disc's etc. Also checked all the suspension over at the same time as I changed the CV boots on both side's inner & outer. When the tyers were fitted I got them balanced as well. I'm a bit nosey when fitting tyres so I watched the balancing machine set as per manufactures standards. As I say the brakes grip like the devil but brakes from 50 to 40 mph it vibrates / wboobles. If I pull up the hand brake while at 50 it too wobbles but at 30 no wobble. Go figure.