Rear suspension bearings part 3

Linegeist · Post by **Linegeist** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 3:52 pm

Finally got the time to replace the creaky rear arm bearings today - stap me, what a mess!

Both sides were in bits, running in a bath of rust-dust and gunge. I'm amazed the car wasn't cornering like a crab on stilts.

Nevertheless, all I needed to buy were 4 new bearings and 4 seals. The rest of the bits were reusable, including the little shim that fits between the outer bearing and the seal spacer.

I got the outer races out of their housing by MIG welding a bead around the bearing tracks, which then shrunk enough so they tapped out with a long screwdriver onto the weld bead. Total time? Well, the first one took me 4 hours while I figured it all out. The second took just 2. A nice straightforward job!!

Interestingly, XM bearings fit just fine. Here's the GSF invoice showing the part numbers.

Brian · Post by **Brian** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 4:36 pm

Why did you use the XM bearings?...

If you had ordered the BX bearings, and had the " BX Club card" -- then 10% discount is valid !!!.

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 10:45 pm

Web orders don't attract the 10% discount, its only if you go to your local branch

Linegeist · Post by **Linegeist** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 6:38 am

Exactement! And I live miles from anywhere an' all!

As for the XM bearings - there was so much conflicting info about kits, types and models that I went by bearing dimensions. The XM's were available so I ordered 'em.

Here next day = Sorted! The only fly in the ointment is that they're stamped "Made in India" so I might be doing them again a couple of years .............

sorry if this caused any offence.

citronut · Post by **citronut** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 8:16 am

in my 06 GSF catalouge the BX and XM bearings are one and the same part No,there is two part No,'s though for the kits N42358 is listed as BX/C15 and Xantia saloon, then N42361 listed as XM repair kit,

regards malcolm

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:32 am

MULLEY wrote:Web orders don't attract the 10% discount, its only if you go to your local branch

Not strictly true, as if you phone up you can still get the 10% discount. But you don’t get the free postage that you get with web orders – so the last couple of times I’ve found that if you request the discount in the text box on the website order form, you get it!

BX Bandit · Post by **BX Bandit** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:27 am

Linegeist wrote:Exactement! And I live miles from anywhere an' all!

As for the XM bearings - there was so much conflicting info about kits, types and models that I went by bearing dimensions. The XM's were available so I ordered 'em.

Here next day = Sorted! The only fly in the ointment is that they're stamped "Made in India" so I might be doing them again a couple of years .............

sorry if this caused any offence.

No offence, not for me anyway.

If you know the bearing sizes or even better the codes, they may be available from online bearing shops like http://www.simplybearings.co.uk (there are others) but you can see the manufacturer of the bearing and hedge your bets. Not necessarily cheaper but you know you're getting a good bearing. The kits are SKF and so may be worth the extra outlay. After really poor experiences with cheap wheel bearings I shall always go for the known name.

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 11:21 am

Linegeist wrote:they're stamped "Made in India" so I might be doing them again a couple of months.............

Edited for accuracy.
I've come across some truly shocking example of Indian quality relating to car parts - in my old job we were going through the process of outsourcing more and more manufacturing to India and China (against all technical recommendations). Some of the guys who went over to oversee the move told me horror stories of heat treatment (of ball joints) carried out by kids taking the parts from glowing coals and putting them in buckets of water. But outside the factories there was a steady stream of workers wanting to work there - in some instances it was a case of filling 'dead man's shoes'

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 1:18 pm

Mat, that's not the story i was told.

My local branch did occasionaly deliver to me free of charge if they were going my way, but they seemed to have stopped that. I rang them & they said they'd need to see proof of my membership & that i couldnt geht the disount over the phone. Ok, i could order the stuff over the phone & collect from the branch & then get my discount, but that would be the only way. Didnt know about the text box on the website, damn

Do you give them your membership number as well?

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 1:53 pm

Looks as though there is a difference depending on who you speak to...I haven't dealt with a local branch (nearest about 80 miles away although I'm a good deal closer than Bob!) for a few years, just the main site where the mail order deliveries come from. With the web based orders you get free delivery, but not if you phone up.
All I did was explain the membership/discount situation in the text box, give them my membership number and ask them to call me if there were any problems.

jonathan_dyane · Post by **jonathan_dyane** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 6:54 pm

mat_fenwick wrote:
Linegeist wrote:they're stamped "Made in India" so I might be doing them again a couple of months.............
Edited for accuracy.
I've come across some truly shocking example of Indian quality relating to car parts - in my old job we were going through the process of outsourcing more and more manufacturing to India and China (against all technical recommendations). Some of the guys who went over to oversee the move told me horror stories of heat treatment (of ball joints) carried out by kids taking the parts from glowing coals and putting them in buckets of water. But outside the factories there was a steady stream of workers wanting to work there - in some instances it was a case of filling 'dead man's shoes'

The Indian-made cylinder heads and blocks that many CX diesel turbo2's suffered were not such a quality item either...

Vanny · Post by **Vanny** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 7:37 pm

There has always been a massive difference between 'store rules' from one GSF branch to the next, and variations dependant on who you speak to. They don't strive to achieve any recognised quality standard so its not a big surprise, and when you get stores like Liverpool who don't want to sell French parts (originally a VW only supplier) then consistent policy goes out of the window.

Personally i avoid GSF where i can, occasionally there prices are good, and they supply some bits others dont. But for rear arm bearings, i buy the bearings them selves from Borders and the nylock nut from Citroen.