Are these parts beyond salvaging?
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(Moved from previous location to what seemed like a more appropriate sub-forum)
In the process of converting my S3 to CVs, I've been finding areas of my car that haven't gotten attention since probably a few owners ago.
Specifically, the passenger side rear hub carrier has been a point of particular pain. Everything very frozen and rusted together and requiring several cans of penetrating fluid and intermittent heat.
In the process, I've made a couple of classic mistakes.
For starters, the rear bearing circlip was seemingly fused to the bearing carrier. After a long fight, I finally managed to start tearing the clip out of the hole, but before I knew what was happening, some of the circlip retainer broke out of the bearing carrier -- maybe a little more than 1/4 of the existing retainer (you can see it on the left).
Is this part salvageable or should I be getting a new bearing carrier?
Second, the outboard drive shaft was unbelievably stuck in the bearings. It took some press work to get it out, and in the process I managed to mushroom the threaded stud a bit. When I realized this was happening, I tried using a socket instead, but that ended up slipping over the edge of the tapered shaft and creating an ugly lip:
Is this something that I could have a machine shop clean up (after magnafluxing the shaft to check for cracks)? Or am I better off purchasing a new part?
I appreciate any input from folks who are more knowledgeable (and hopefully less ham-handed with these things) than I. I'm leaning toward replacing both parts, but naturally would rather not spend the money if either of these parts is reasonably salvageable.
In the process of converting my S3 to CVs, I've been finding areas of my car that haven't gotten attention since probably a few owners ago.
Specifically, the passenger side rear hub carrier has been a point of particular pain. Everything very frozen and rusted together and requiring several cans of penetrating fluid and intermittent heat.
In the process, I've made a couple of classic mistakes.
For starters, the rear bearing circlip was seemingly fused to the bearing carrier. After a long fight, I finally managed to start tearing the clip out of the hole, but before I knew what was happening, some of the circlip retainer broke out of the bearing carrier -- maybe a little more than 1/4 of the existing retainer (you can see it on the left).
Is this part salvageable or should I be getting a new bearing carrier?
Second, the outboard drive shaft was unbelievably stuck in the bearings. It took some press work to get it out, and in the process I managed to mushroom the threaded stud a bit. When I realized this was happening, I tried using a socket instead, but that ended up slipping over the edge of the tapered shaft and creating an ugly lip:
Is this something that I could have a machine shop clean up (after magnafluxing the shaft to check for cracks)? Or am I better off purchasing a new part?
I appreciate any input from folks who are more knowledgeable (and hopefully less ham-handed with these things) than I. I'm leaning toward replacing both parts, but naturally would rather not spend the money if either of these parts is reasonably salvageable.
- monkeyodeath
- First Gear
- Posts: 31
- Joined: 24 Jun 2018
Replace both.
The hub carrier bearing fits are likely out of round and out of spec.
The taper looks good on the stub shaft, but the damage to the threaded end may have slightly bent the threaded portion. When the nut is tightened, it may tension the axle thread at the base more on one side than the other and may fail.
The cost of damage to your car from failed components will easily outweigh the potential savings.
The hub carrier bearing fits are likely out of round and out of spec.
The taper looks good on the stub shaft, but the damage to the threaded end may have slightly bent the threaded portion. When the nut is tightened, it may tension the axle thread at the base more on one side than the other and may fail.
The cost of damage to your car from failed components will easily outweigh the potential savings.
There is no cure for Lotus, only treatment.
-
StressCraxx - Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 1278
- Joined: 26 Sep 2003
Both your parts will go again. You just need to find someone who knows what they are doing to add metal to the housing, and then someone who is handy with some files and a dremel to get the correct shapes and profiles. Its not difficult, I have done it many times.
Re the driveshaft, again not a difficult job. Take it to a machine shop if you are not able to clean up the thread yourself, and remember, always put the nut on the thread if you need to have a bash at it. I think it highly unlikely that the end is bent, but that will become obvious once rotated.
If you prefer to buy a new strut housing, I have new old stock ones, and excellent used diff housings.
Leslie
Re the driveshaft, again not a difficult job. Take it to a machine shop if you are not able to clean up the thread yourself, and remember, always put the nut on the thread if you need to have a bash at it. I think it highly unlikely that the end is bent, but that will become obvious once rotated.
If you prefer to buy a new strut housing, I have new old stock ones, and excellent used diff housings.
Leslie
- 512BB
- Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 1200
- Joined: 24 Jan 2008
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