Im a bit paranoid that my bearings have gone on my 306's rear beam. Its not making any noise, but since it turned 100,000 miles, ive had it in the back of my mind that it is the same axle as my old 205 gti that collapsed.
What are my options?
-Take it to the garage? I know its not an enormous job, but on the 205 they were beyond repair and i had to source a new axle. What would a garage do in this situation if it couldnt go back together?
-Take it apart myself? Havent got a lot of space to do it and if it needs a new axle, my cars out of action.
-Leave it till summer? If its showing signs now, does it mean its already beyond repair? The only reason i suspect it is it looks slightly lower on drivers side and gap from tyre to inner wheel arch is nearly rubbing on one side. Other than that, if i hadnt have had it happen once before on a pug, id have never suspected it.
And what other models are interchangeable, its a 306 hdi WITH rear discs. 309, 205 any others? 206? 106 gti??

[Edited on 22/12/10 by andrew-theasby]

Thought they were different?

Missus's 106 is like this, driver's side rear wheel looks like it's trying to cock its leg.

Took me about six months to convince her it's not right as "it's been like that forever, it's meant to be like that"

It has too, and she used it every day up to about a year ago

yep the bearing has worn if it is leaning not worth messing with axle will be worn as well and it can be a pita job as well

cheaper and easier to source a late low mileage second hand axle

If you can source a 2nd hand beam in good order that would be the quickest/easiest solution. I caught one on a 205GTI in time and repaired it, but it's an arse of a job to do and I had to get some help from a mechanic to complete it. There was a firm in the west country who did fully recon 205GTI rear beams for sensible money, but that was going back some years now. Might be worth a trawl about though.

Any 306 rear beam with disks ought to be interchangeable. You might need to swap over items like dampers, calipers and disks etc if they're different. Also replace the rubber mounting blocks as wll - these perish over time and can allow the beam to move a bit.


ETA - these are the guys http://www.sspengineering.co.uk/

Website doesn't seem to be working though.

ETA - possibly known as R. Mountjoy Engineering now, contact details...

Broadhayes Stockland, East Devon, EX14 9EH

p: +4401404881325 f: 01404 881 161



[Edited on 22/12/10 by nick205]

[Edited on 22/12/10 by nick205]

Yep, all 306 disc beams are the same. Almost certain you can't swap any of the other ones you mentioned.

Keep in mind Citroen Xsara beams too, I believe they're exactly the same, and often are cheaper!


In my experience (I had one that was PROPERLY fkcud up), it depends on how much you value/plan on keeping your vehicle. When I checked, a recon (exchange) was somewhere in the region of £350, which is a significant percentage of a lot of 306's value. On the other hand, it's not a lot for a long term fix.

I picked up a second hand disc beam for £90, which was in good condition. But you buy one expecting it to deteriorate over a year or two potentially, as they're likely to have covered mileage not far off what yours has done.

was at least hoping to keep the car a year, cant find any within about 100 miles, other than the place in blackburn that does recon ones. Ill keep looking then.