Rear Arm Bearing Kits

roscoe · Post by **roscoe** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 12:57 am

Wasn't me - I have two new ones sitting in the garage - courtesy of an earlier ebay purchase

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 8:48 pm

Just want to double check on one further thing, i have just read the "how to change rear arm bearings" under the diy section, & it makes reference to not only the kit but the spacer.

Is the spacer not part of the kit????

Ian_Fearn · Post by **Ian_Fearn** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 9:45 pm

The spacer was part of the kits i've bought. Looks just like a big washer.

AlanS · Post by **AlanS** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 11:21 pm

Ian,

You're not getting the spacers and the thrusts confused by any chance?

Isn't what is referred to as a 'spacer' the tube and the 'washers', thrusts for setting the pre-load?
If I'm not mistaken (it's this other side of the world problem again) "kits" come in various forms. Some with bearings, thrusts and seals and others with bearings, thrusts, seals, spacers and bolt, hence the often wild variations in "kit" prices.
At least, that's how it used to be.

Alan S

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 5:15 pm

I've never done the job - maybe the official Citroen manual will help - sorry its in a language other than English but it seems to work on the basis that people only look at the pictures and so the information is attached to the pictures - which are nice and clear.

http://sitruuna.unk.fi/pub/korjausoppaa ... ar_arm.pdf

Haynes available for download here (top document und3er BX I think - in English. There may be a chapter missing - which I may be able to find for you if you say which one it is.

http://citroeny.cz/servis/servis.htm

AlanS · Post by **AlanS** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 1:21 am

Basically the rule of thumb seems to be that when fully assembled on the bench with the nut tightened to its correct torque you should be able to push the arm down using the index finger.
It shouldn't be so tight that you need to force it nor so loose that it just flops down.
The various sized shims are used to increase or decrease the amount of pressure required.
In effect, if too tight, the bearings will flog themselves out by destroying either the cage or damaging the outer cone.
If too loose, it allows the leverage of the wheel on teh bearings to cause premature failure.

That's about as good a description I can give based on what I was told by a retired engineer and have always followed that method.
Usually though, I've found most go back at around the correct preload so something I'd be more inclined to check if I was doing the job, but not make a job out of just to settle my curiosity.

Alan S

Post by **docchevron** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 2:48 am

I've only ever had to shim two arms, and I've done ALOT of arm bearings.
Like Alan said, the bearing kits seem pretty good these days and they rarely need shimming.

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 2:21 pm

Are these shims available from anyone else except Citroen?

AlanS · Post by **AlanS** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 9:30 pm

First point would be to see if you need them.
I have seen the pre-load set using common old thrust washers in conjunction with the existing thrusts (shims) if more is needed.

Alan S

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 12:15 am

Er, would that imply that mid job i would then have to drive somewhere & buy some, seems easier just to buy them in advance & fit them anyways? or have i missed something (dont forget i cant do mechanic things).

AlanS · Post by **AlanS** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 10:12 pm

The ones we've used were just a few thou thick and were added where needed. You would need to know the hole diameters though which I can't give off the top of my head, but in all honesty, I'd reckon the chances of you needing them is fairly slim. I'd take the punt on it unless you can get the dimensions.

Alan S

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 11:25 pm

Ok, but knowing my luck with my wretched cars i will probably need them, totally peed off at the mo, see my thread ew.yuk.part2

ellevie · Post by **ellevie** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 1:41 am

MULLEY wrote:...it makes reference to not only the kit but the spacer.
Is the spacer not part of the kit????

Citroen technical literature uses the term "spacer" to refer to the long metal tube.
See item 13, page 196 in BX2_19.pdf available at http://rammstein.dfmk.hu/~xminfo
See also document ref 123003422020 "rear arm" at http://service.citroen.com

Confusingly, SKF use the same term to refer to the adjustment shims.