306 issue with rear suspension

[fv43576]

I have just coming home from Uist, where the roads was awful bumping and potholes, my is 306 estate have payload about 200kg of holiday stuff and one adults the rear suspension was very very low the wheel was almost gone inner wheel arch is this normal? over the bump feel like the anti bump rubber mounting has touch serve times, I can remember my old hatchback did not happen like this. I look under I don't see spring but with shocker absorb look in good condition no leaking can I ask is the estate share same suspension/absorber as the hatchback? because of extra boot is the factory tuning to stiff up the suspension over the hatchback?

[Paul-R]

So, you're saying that inner part of the tyre is touching the inner part of the wheelarch? This is the same problem I had with my Citroen Xsara a few years ago. What has happened is that bearings in the beam axle have worn and this is allowing the wheels to move inwards at the top.

I was lucky enough to find a good second hand axle in a car breakers and so did not have to get mine repaired. I took mine off another estate car so did not have to worry about whether the estate and hatchback are the same. They may have different ratings for the torsion bar so you are wise to ask - I do not know. I do know that the disc rear brake axle is different to the drum brake rear axle though.

There is at least one company in the south-west of England that can repair the axles. Alternatively at least one of our members in the Citroen section (I think xsarasforever?) has done the job himself.

After I had fitted the replacement axle I fitted some supplementary springs to help with load capacity and I also replaced the bump rubbers which had been squashed out of existence.

If no-one else posts offering better information then maybe a search of the Citroen section or a second post there will bring a result.

[fv43576]

Wow thanks Paul-R you're very helpful give you a thumb up.

[Peter.N.]

If its anything like the 206 axle its not to difficult to change the bearings.

Peter

[Paul-R]

I think the 106, 206 and 306 are all of similar design with only ancillary mountings and width making the difference. And probably Citroen equivalent models - certainly the Xsara.

[fv43576]

I have been inspect at rear found the damper is sound little squeak when I was jack up, I have took the absorber off & press down to see if it rise by self, no still stuck in won't rise it say the absorber is knackered. I want to buy KYB they do sell a Twin tube oil and Twin tube gas which one would be the best for a soft ride, I do not want harsh!

[Oldpug]

It will be the radius arm bearings for sure. Its a waste of time trying to replace the bearings on a 306 as they are inside the cross tube.Also the radius arm shaft will be damaged.
http://abaxles.co.uk/en/about/ These guys will deliver a recon axle ready to fit, two or three hour job done. I`ve used them a number of times.

[fv43576]

I am glad to spot my front spring a tiny crack it was about to break soon. I am decide to overhaul change all new strut and new spring plus both rubber top mounting, but I do not know what to called this metal round my current is very rust need new one, I have never find any on eBayer Eurocarparts and Carparts4less! I do not want to purchase from dealer it going to be too expensive. Is anyone know the number or a name of this cap?

thanks

[GiveMeABreak]

Hi

Here are the suspension parts diagrams (click to zoom), I think I still had your VIN from last time. If you want to know dealer prices (for a comparison), list the parts - they are not always more expensive than on the web and in some cases cheaper!

[wurlycorner]

It will be the radius arm bearings for sure. Its a waste of time trying to replace the bearings on a 306 as they are inside the cross tube.Also the radius arm shaft will be damaged.
http://abaxles.co.uk/en/about/ These guys will deliver a recon axle ready to fit, two or three hour job done. I`ve used them a number of times.

Shame they don't supply re-furbished Xantia/XM/C5 trailing arms (the inner races are a total pita to do as a home mechanic).

[Oldpug]

It will be the radius arm bearings for sure. Its a waste of time trying to replace the bearings on a 306 as they are inside the cross tube.Also the radius arm shaft will be damaged.
http://abaxles.co.uk/en/about/ These guys will deliver a recon axle ready to fit, two or three hour job done. I`ve used them a number of times.

Shame they don't supply re-furbished Xantia/XM/C5 trailing arms (the inner races are a total pita to do as a home mechanic).

I`m surprised at that,I thought they do anything Peugeot/Citroen, have you contacted them? If they don`t have a recon one on the shelf they may be able to overhaul yours

[Paul-R]

Here are the suspension parts diagrams (click to zoom)...

Those appear to be front suspension items Marc.

[GiveMeABreak]

I think he deleted the post near when I responded Paul - I have restored the post now the context of my reply makes sense Paul. Thanks for reminding me about this.

[JohnD]

There is at least one company in the south-west of England that can repair the axles.

When my daughter ran a Xsara, one of the tyres started rubbing on the wheel arch. As a temporary fix I glued four washers onto the inside of the wheel rim. That moved the tyre away from the arch slightly. However for a fix I decided to run the car down to Devon where an elderly guy who lived out in the sticks, and his two assistants took off my old axle and fitted a recon one, whilst I and the owner chatted over coffee. Same price for fitting as it was for delivery and collection. The whole job was completed within a couple of hours and I was on my way home. All this was seven years ago and the owne has retired but this company is probably run by the old guy's engineers. http://abaxles.co.uk/en/about/