Hmm.. A distorted rear axle beam.

[kineticz]

Well,
Looks like I've found out my suspension problem that's been causing mischief for quite some time. Had the car looked over and the rear axle beam has a slight kink, causing the rear camber of the wheel to move in the direction of the strut. So basically the wheel lies at an angle with the top of it closest to the strut. We think that this, over a short period of time, has caused the front wheel to mimic the camber of the back? Is this idea feasible? The inner of the front tyre has greatly worn down.

We are planning to replace the rear axle beam. This will obviously straighten out the rear camber. But do you guys think the front will straighten back out as well following the newly straight rear wheel camber?

Many thanks for your advice.

 

[Fl@pper]

inner tyre wear could be tracking set incorrectly but the rear camber error certainly won't have helped that's for sure though

if it's damaged it's probable it is not bent in a straight axis

for example:

if the NSR wheel has been kerbed and bent slightly back and out the rear wheel will try and push the car out to the front NS

this will try and drag the side of the car to the same direction and cause the front tyre to scrub on one side

add that it's fwd with toe in/out and tracking all over if one wheel isn't running true then it's definately likely to cause uneven wear elsewhere and it doesn't take long to take an edge off a tyre for sure

 

[DPJ]

More relevant info......

Hey all,
I originally bought the car as a Cat D repairable with front offside suspension damage (the wheel was bent inwards!) and damage to the bumper. The drivers side and rear door had been scraped so that was smoothed down and sprayed. The alloy wheel was also damaged badly as the pics below will show. The front wing was bent abit so could be bent back into shape easy enough. I bought the car for the grand sum of £1600 delivered to my house

So to repair this, I bought for a total of £275:

Two 19" RS4 style alloys for the front
Wishbone
Tracking tie rod end
Tracking rod
Hub and wheel bearing
Paint (perfect match from the local paint shop!)

And fitted it all myself

 

[Fl@pper]

has it been tracked up or properly checked on a jig yet ?

 

[olethalb]

i've done a few axle changes due to bent beams, they all had snapped alloy's and either jammed drums smashed discs (rear) and or collapsed wheel bearing due to the impact it takes to bend the beam.

so you are saying the top is in?

re-read seems strange the top is in, only ones i've seen like that have been involved in a side impact and incurred heavy body damage to the rear quarter. usually its the top out where someone has lost it/ spun it into a curb sideways.

get a 4 wheel laser track and it will show the rear camber for all to see.

 

[Feel]

More likely to be a bent stub axle than a bent rear beam, surely?

 

[olethalb]

was thinking maybe the same, thought the bearing would have given out by now.

still takes quite a bit to bend the stub.

 

[Fl@pper]

More likely to be a bent stub axle than a bent rear beam, surely?

must admit i'd have thought that was the weakest link if any

then again could have pulled the plate it sits on either way

quite interesting what can happen with a scrape or a knock with a ton and a half of weight behind it

 

[kineticz]

The stub axle has always been replaced guys since I posted that list of repairs that DPJ has shown above. It's a bent rear axle for sure as it's been checked professionally, and this is how I've come to post the thread.

This makes me think that the previous owner had hit a kurb or something from underneath.

Flapper, your original reply was all I wanted to know, so many thanks for that

 

[kineticz]

btw I've been quoted £111 for a rear axle beam which we can fit ourselves so not bad really. After this is done the tracking will be done on the same day.

I can then actually get on with spending money on mods not repairs!

 

[Phillc]

Thought you were a struggling student

 

[kineticz]

Thought you were a struggling student

I am indeed; I've had to borrow the money from my grandad until I get my next student loan installment.

I've been thinking, when I fit the new straight axle beam on the rear, will the camber of the front wheel adjust itself to copy the new straight camber on the rear wheel? As it's not only the wearing of the tyre thats a problem, but also the way the wheel sits on the front has somehow copied the incorrect rear camber if you see what I mean.

Or will I need to get it done professionally somehow...


Cheers

 

[Fl@pper]

I am indeed; I've had to borrow the money from my grandad until I get my next student loan installment.

I've been thinking, when I fit the new straight axle beam on the rear, will the camber of the front wheel adjust itself to copy the new straight camber on the rear wheel? As it's not only the wearing of the tyre thats a problem, but also the way the wheel sits on the front has somehow copied the incorrect rear camber. Or will I need to get it done professionally somehow...


Cheers

it will probably be fine as the tyrewall has probably taken up most of the grief by the sounds of the tyre wear

personally considering it's previous damage on that side once replaced i would get it alignment checked to be sure

 

[kineticz]

Oh definitely, alignment check is 100% planned straight after the repair.

So glad I joined this forum as I'd buggered otherwise!

 

[Fl@pper]

So glad I joined this forum as I'd buggered otherwise!

careful mind - might get offers for the service here as well

 

[kineticz]

Well I got a great deal, £80 for the full rear axle beam complete with hubs

 

[Fl@pper]

bargain !!!

 

[kineticz]

I know, but it means there was not much point in me changing the hubs before which were genuine parts from the expensive stealers

Maybe I can salvage some cash back by selling the hubs

 

[kineticz]

Just to clarify, am I correct in thinking the Golf mk4 rear axle beams are the same as on my Leon mk1?

Thanks.

 

[kineticz]

Right, the axle beam is on, only cost £60 to fit at a local garage However, when they had to bleed the brakes, the seals inside the brake master cylinder have somehow come loose and so that needs replacing now Luckily found a place nearby but that's another £40 + £30 fitting... Oh the joys of car maintenance. It would explain where the tiny drops of oil have appeared from though on my drive so looks like it was on it's way out.

Thankfully it will be fitted before the remap!