Shagged rear axle, some questions about replacing it - Saxperience

Robbie1984 · 9th August 2012, 22:48

Hello everyone

I have a W reg VTS, and my rear axle is proper shagged and needs replacing.

I understand the cheapest option is to swap the axle for a new one.

VTS axles seem to be extremely hard to get hold of from scrappies around the area, so I'm looking at other options to get me through an MOT so that I have something I can use while I start to save up for a new car.

One thought my dad had, would be to swap it over with a standard saxo axle with drums instead of disk brakes on the rear, however I have a few questions regarding this idea that I am hoping you can help with:

1. Would the drum axle from another saxo fit a VTS that had disk brakes?

2. I'm pretty sure my car has ABS on the rear, if I did fit drum brakes, would this cause the ABS light on the dashboard to come on, and therefore fail an MOT.

3. If the answer to above question is yes, how could this be worked around?

Thanks in advance.

Ross^p · 9th August 2012, 23:03

Best option is www.imaxles.co.uk mate tbh. Do it once, do it right.

saxova · 9th August 2012, 23:11

Drums use different handbrake cables too.

Your right with the ABS too.. the VTR has the same rear beam, Might broaden your search.

Ross^p · 9th August 2012, 23:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by saxova

Drums use different handbrake cables too.

Your right with the ABS too.. the VTR has the same rear beam, Might broaden your search.

The beams are also not the same width...

saxova · 9th August 2012, 23:18

Assuming you mean the drum vs disk? As R/S are the same?

The rear wheel's would look lost - good idea at the time.. But too much work / hassle / backwards fitting a drum beam lol

Ross^p · 9th August 2012, 23:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by saxova

Assuming you mean the drum vs disk? As R/S are the same?

The rear wheel's would look lost - good idea at the time.. But too much work / hassle / backwards fitting a drum beam lol

Yeah disc vs drum are different iirc. As you suggest op should search for vts/Vtr/gti rear beam from scrappy, or go refurb with im axles.

Robbie1984 · 10th August 2012, 00:08

Ah, so basically it is a VTS axle or nothing then??

saxova · 10th August 2012, 00:15

Nah

VTR + VTS are the exact same.. GTI also is the same apart from it has bigger torsion bars (stiffer rear end)

Dave_P · 10th August 2012, 00:26

Stick with a disc rear end and you'll be fine, all the bare beams are the same though.

Its only the disc/drum brake trailing arm set up that's different, the disc rear end giving the extra girth.

Ross^p · 10th August 2012, 00:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave_P

Stick with a disc rear end and you'll be fine, all the bare beams are the same though.

Its only the disc/drum brake trailing arm set up that's different, the disc rear end giving the extra girth.

It's girth that matters tho Dave

Dave_P · 10th August 2012, 00:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by RossDagley

It's girth that matters tho Dave

Not so Ross, the drum rear axle is lighter than the disc alternative... its weight that matters.

Ross^p · 10th August 2012, 00:35

That's not what your... No wait, I won't lower myself to your standards...

Dave_P · 10th August 2012, 01:12

Aye... you know it makes sense...

huricane · 10th August 2012, 05:30

ive got rear beam for sale if you get stuff no play no wobble no chamber

ashleyoneill · 10th August 2012, 11:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by saxova

Nah

VTR + VTS are the exact same.. GTI also is the same apart from it has bigger torsion bars (stiffer rear end)

Non ABS VTR + VTS are not exactly the same. VTS has splines on the hub for ABS to work. If you fit a Non ABS VTR axle to your VTS, your ABS will not work.

Do one of three things

1) Find a replacement ABS rear axle and fit it (VTS or GTI will be fine)
2) Take your axle off and send it to IMAxles
3) I can give you the name and number of a top old bloke on Westbury trading estate that will replace the bearings in the axle for you (and replace stub pins if they are badly pitted) while you wait. You take it up to him and pay less than IMAxles charge and you get no hassle of taking the beam off or messing around with brake lines etc. He will also lower or raise it to your desired height. I had my VTS done there last year.

saxova · 10th August 2012, 11:36

VTR + VTS non abs axles are the exact same

VTR + VTS abs axles are the exact same

ashleyoneill · 10th August 2012, 11:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by saxova

VTR + VTS non abs axles are the exact same

VTR + VTS abs axles are the exact same

How many VTSs do you know that don't have ABS?
How many VTRs had ABS as standard?

Maybe we should settle this by saying that the OP needs an ABS disk rear axle?

From the OPs point of view it's pretty much best to assume when sourcing an axle that an axle from a VTR is going to stop his ABS from working because very few VTRs have ABS.

Ross^p · 10th August 2012, 11:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashleyoneill

How many VTSs do you know that don't have ABS?
How many VTRs had ABS as standard?

Maybe we should settle this by saying that the OP needs an ABS disk rear axle?

From the OPs point of view it's pretty much best to assume when sourcing an axle that an axle from a VTR is going to stop his ABS from working because very few VTRs have ABS.

Other than these 15 currently for sale on autotrader?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/u...earlynew%2Cnew

haha - sorry, couldn't resist

ashleyoneill · 10th August 2012, 11:54

Yea, it was an optional extra but still not many of them with it. I wouldn't be surprised if you find some of those 15 don't actually have ABS. Many people are mistaken with ABS and confuse it with VTS having it as standard.

You only have to search for "does my VTR have ABS" to see that.

LSOfreak · 10th August 2012, 12:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by saxova

Nah

VTR + VTS are the exact same.. GTI also is the same apart from it has bigger torsion bars (stiffer rear end)

same torsion bars, has a thicker antiroll bar