306 rear beam. Second hand replacement or rebuild?

lowpugV2

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My 2000 xsi is in the workshop getting a few new bits. I knew my rear end was going to be an issue and it's confirmed that it's kaput. Dried collapsed bearings.

A second hand replacement could be a solution, or we could rebuild. The latter is my preferred route, maybe with some added grease nipples.

While I'm there, is there anything else that should be done?

And, alternatively, does anyone have a perfect, fresh rear beam for a 306 they don't want? 🤣
 
I have one that could easily be repaired, the bearings are not collapsed but require replacement, its in Brisbane. I am sure you will find a 306 in a wreckers in Syd for sure? Any one of them will do it, even citroen Xsara will do too!
 
Ah, yeah, forgot about the xara option. At this stage I'm thinking a rebuild is better. Although my engine is on 266,000kays everything else is pretty mint.
 
Rebuild! Will last 100,000km minimum. :)

Do you think it's worth modifying with added grease nipples or just new bearings. Apparently my shocks are fine and they appear to be original!
 
Grease nipples will be a pain as the tube is largely hollow, lots of grease required and not going where you want it to. New bearings well packed will do the trick. MY 205 was better greased over 30 years ago than my 306 which is less than half its age, they are getting cheap!
 
pink panther

Do you think it's worth modifying with added grease nipples or just new bearings. Apparently my shocks are fine and they appear to be original!
Found good 2001 306 in Northern Weakeners Londonderry nesr sydney , with good 2000l 2 cam engine and manuaal 5 speed box . wreaked cause clutch gone. Service records good . I only wanted headlites. car to good to waste but they are closing down soon
 
Found good 2001 306 in Northern Weakeners Londonderry nesr sydney , with good 2000l 2 cam engine and manuaal 5 speed box . wreaked cause clutch gone. Service records good . I only wanted headlites. car to good to waste but they are closing down soon

Ooh, excellent tip. Thankyou!
 
They're the same as a 205 and exhibit the same problems and repair costs. It's just a time thing. They're all doomed.
 
Do you think it's worth modifying with added grease nipples or just new bearings. Apparently my shocks are fine and they appear to be original!

Yes, keep the original shocks, after market replacements are too soft.
 
out of curiosity, are there any specialists in Oz to tackle the beam rebuild? in UK Andy (jord294) does amazing work. do we have an equivalent?
 
out of curiosity, are there any specialists in Oz to tackle the beam rebuild? in UK Andy (jord294) does amazing work. do we have an equivalent?

Not sure about specialists, but I'd imagine Paul Vassallo in Carlton, Sydney would be good.

I'm using Pierre at PQ automotive in Chatswood. Apparently it's not a hard job, just time consuming.
 
They're the same as a 205 and exhibit the same problems and repair costs. It's just a time thing. They're all doomed.

Hahaha, Peter, you almost sound angry at the little pugs!
 
I'm annoyed with myself for just throwing away two 306 beams. A reasonable price to repair would be 8 hours labour + parts. I use to charge $1000 but the price of bearings and shafts has dropped considerably in recent years. I suggest you call Bluey. I'm told he's relocated to Goulburn.
 
before you rebuild it, why don't you give David Cavanagh a call and see if he has any low milage wrecks with a rear beam still in it ..... its a hell of a lot less effort just to swap the entire thing I would imagine.
 
If the tube isn't damaged, I'd go the rebuild option.
When I did my 306, the tube was badly damaged, so second hand was the only option.
 
Any tube you get will require a rebuild prior to install, it's cheap insurance and just common sense.

Sent from my HTC_PN071 using aussiefrogs mobile app
 
Thanks everyone for the replies. Based on the feedback I'll definitely rebuild. I can't risk getting a used rear beam and find out I still need to change bearings or whatever. I'll do it right once. This little 306 will have had quite the mechanical restoration after this.
 
I'm annoyed with myself for just throwing away two 306 beams. A reasonable price to repair would be 8 hours labour + parts. I use to charge $1000 but the price of bearings and shafts has dropped considerably in recent years. I suggest you call Bluey. I'm told he's relocated to Goulburn.
Ah, c'est la vie. Would have been handy if I could have bought one from you for sure. I may give bluey a call. Also spoke to a wrecker and can get a full beam with disc and calipers for $400 - if the condition is ok I may take a chance on that.

I'm tempted to give a rebuild a go myself if I can do it on the garage floor with the beam out of the car.
 
Its not hard, get one axle stub arm pressed out of your old or new arms, use it to dislocate / push in old inner bearings, arb to mash them up and pull though the beam to clean bits. Puller to remove outers them use stub to refit inners and press in outers. That is tube done. Repack bearings with good grease.

Refit all parts in garage, jack up car on stands and refit with trolley jack to list assembly.
 
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