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How to check if the back axle is shot !!
#1
Information 
My Mk2 HDi is an ex forestry van with 56k on the clock. Yes I knew it had been rough used when I got it but thought I'd got away with the rear axle as no play or physical symptoms were evident.
Sailed through it's Mot a month ago but now the dreaded cracking / knocking noise has started.
So under I went fingers crossed it was the exhaust etc. But was it bug*&ry Confusedillyme: So I'm now going to obtain a recon axle with a 2 year warranty and fit it myself.
Here's a few pictures what I found / to look for if any one else is interested.

This is where we are looking on the axle. Offside.
[Image: 9gbv4l.jpg]

This is a closer view of the pivot point of the moving arm.
Note that the gap between the two sets of arrows is the same at the top and the bottom. THIS SIDE IS OK.
[Image: 2iveh6x.jpg]

Again this is where we are looking on the Nearside.
[Image: 2s9c07d.jpg]

This a close up of the pivot, you can see the gap at the top is small then tapers wider (green lines) going down.
This is indicating the bearing has worn/collapsed.
[Image: x1ehaf.jpg]

Last picture is of the lower part of the pivot. Note large gap.
[Image: 15f26g6.jpg]
So be warned if you are looking at an ex forestry van as most of these so I am told suffer with this problem
Confusedalut:
2006 2.0hdi 600 with bench seat.  Cool
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#2
Scary stuff
So what causes the wear-ingress,no lube to start with?
My 07 had slanty back wheels from new -so it would have got worse?(I traded it with 29k on the dial)

Tried to find a better pic but failed -this doesnt really show the tilt

[Image: azb4f9.jpg]
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#3
The slight camber is normal, when you see a bad one (looks like a piano's been dropped on it) you'll know what I mean.
Even when I look at mine now it's still not evident that there is a problem but the noise drew me to investigate.
With the history of mine doing a lot of off road mileage I could imagine the back axle being immersed in water etc so as you can see rust will have crept back through the oil seal which in turn ruins the rubber seal then the problem escalates causing bearing failure.
I've just ordered the replacement axle, £375 all in including delivery & collection & 2 year warranty.
When I get the old axle off I'll see if I can dismantle the old unit and post some pictures of the failure. Confusedalut:
2006 2.0hdi 600 with bench seat.  Cool
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#4
Saw this when it was posted last week, big thanks for the great contribution, as always Rustscrat :thumbsup:.
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#5
Is there any preventative work that can be done before the tell tale signs appear?
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#6
As far as I can see, no. :brickwall:
I wouldn't be to concerned if as long as yours has not been used and abused, my old Mk1 had 130K on it and was still going strong.
I have got to admit the design of this pivot with it's poxy needle bearings doesn't seem substantial enough to me.
If they'd put grease nipples on the pivot it would of helped!
Still, gets me out of doing the decorating this weekend:woop:
2006 2.0hdi 600 with bench seat.  Cool
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  • gilbertotron
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#7
Ok, as promised a few more pics to bore you!
Removed the axle and chiseled off the cap on the nearside bearing. As you can see by the tide mark on the black plastic cap in the middle, water has got in and caused powdering of the bearing.

[Image: 30wavxi.jpg]

After removing the anti roll bar I started on the tie bar for the near side.
With persuasion it finally released but it pushed off the offside arm first so carried on with that to find out that this side was shot as well!
Because the axle is hollow and is not really sealed from side to side, water had run through and destroyed these bearings also.
Don't forget that this side seemed ok.

This is the O/S arm inner bearing.

[Image: nfpc0o.jpg]

These are of the O/S pivot pin after cleaning showing the top and bottom of the pivot surface. Note the wear marks from the seized bearings.
Top first.

[Image: 2i7721l.jpg]

Bottom view.

[Image: nbujgm.jpg]

Now the original fault, the N/S arm and pivot. Had to draw the arm off with pulley draws as it was solid on. As you can see the bearing pulled out of the arm due to the corrosion on the shaft.

[Image: mb5wfl.jpg]

Final picture, the N/S pin after descaling & cleaning.
:lol: May be if I repack the bearings with fresh grease it'll be ok? :lol:

[Image: 27x2y3m.jpg]

So the moral of the story is - If you have an arm that's failed or failing, remember that the pins will most likely be shot as well so replacing the bearings will be a short love affair and would be like *issing in the wind. :brickwall:

Confusedalut:
2006 2.0hdi 600 with bench seat.  Cool
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#8
Rustcrat, Nice photographic sequence and debreif to what looks like an absolute shitter of a job to do, like you say, the presence of a grease nipple or two would have probably saved the situation. Just hope mine does not give me similar greif.
Berlingo Multispace 2.0HDI '54 reg Mediterranean Blue
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#9
(21-06-2012, 08:14 PM)andy-womble Wrote:  Rustcrat, Nice photographic sequence and debreif to what looks like an absolute shitter of a job to do, like you say, the presence of a grease nipple or two would have probably saved the situation. Just hope mine does not give me similar greif.

As long as it's not been on the Titanic, fingers crossed you should be alright! :lol:
2006 2.0hdi 600 with bench seat.  Cool
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#10
great thread,,,mine has a slight camber so im going to have a look tomorrow to see what i can see....although i have no problems
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  • Rustscrat
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