Lowering - Recon axle? Newbie questions

[Dazecoop]

Hey guys,

Bought myself my first 306 last night, great car! First thing on the list, I want to get it down low  Been looking around, and to save myself the hassle of potentially spending hours & hours removing my torsion bars, potentially not setting them up correct, etc, I thought I'd maybe best buying a recon'd axle, then just swapping the entire thing?

AxleDiret.com seems good, 2 year warranty on all their axles? Does anyone have any experience or advice?

Mine is a Ph2 D Turbo, drums on the back. Is it worth upgrading to GTI-6 rear axle? What are the benefits of this? Anything else involved in doing this swap? I notice some people talk about 21mm torsion bars? I'm asking these questions as if I'm sending £200 on an axle, I may as well get the best & do some upgrades whilst I'm there, maybe?

The axles from AxleDirect come lowered to specification, and are £200 delivered which isn't bad? 
http://www.axledirect.com/peugeot_306/

Any help or advice appreciated! 
Thanks!!

PS- I don't intend to track or race the 306, just wondering if any upgrades on the axle is worth doing while I'm there, for minimal extra spend

[bashbarnard]

If you buy a bare gti 6 axle you will need callipers handbrake cables brake pipe discs wheel bearings hub nuts and the little hub nut covers. Worth it just to buy a second hand axle and send to stef. His had some really good feedback from many people on here and offers a range of services

[miles]

You need to do some Maths. A complete set of new parts for a axle rebuild is more than £200.00, As said Stef is very good and has even done some for me, I do Axle's but your looking at around £600.00 upwards

[Dazecoop]

I'm confused, why would it cost more than the £200 stated on their website? I was presuming it would be a straight swap out with my current one, then just swap brakes over, etc? (That is, if I don't upgrade to anything). Is the £600 you quoted in regard to upgrades (GTI-6 brakes, etc)

Thanks

[bashbarnard]

No it would be the £200 stated. But they wouldn't be all new parts or would be non gen stuff. Then you have to factor into buying all the other bits for it as well. So in my opinion you would be better off sending a second hand axle to stef.

---

Or miles. Who until just now i didnt realise he also done axles.

[Dazecoop]

Ah, right I see, that makes sense. Sorry for newb questions. To be honest, I believe my current beam to be fine, in good condition. All I want to do it lower it, but I don't feel that I'd be able to take on such a task on my own. I don't suppose anyone on this forum does this? Either as a service or as a favour? Of course I will pay for time Thanks again

[bashbarnard]

Yeah there are a few people. The issue with the beams though is the moment you lower a supposable good beam they tend to then break very fast. Talking from experience with this one. I done this to mine and within a month it was leaning over. Im not saying all do but some do. Best thing is put up your location and ask for a hand.

[Dazecoop]

Ah really? That sucks. What is the fix for that? Or just keep on top of maintenance of the beam itself?

I'm based near Portsmouth, down south, but don't mind travelling. I may post that question into another thread!

[bashbarnard]

There is no maintenance of the beam. Once Lowerd they wear a different part of the bearing internally that probably hasnt been touched since new.

[Stef205]

thought my ears were burning

I can build you a beam with new oem parts, ive rectified a few axle direct and im axle axles in my time, poor parts etc. Im not trying to big my self up its just so common now. A beam at £200 will be full of cheap Chinese parts i have even found their supplier! Theres a few guys i have built axles for now on here all seem to be happy.

My post is on here somewhere and will tell you everything you need to know

[Jonny81191]

How low did you want to go? I have a spare GTi beam here that's fairly low. I can do fitting for you and you could pick up that front bumper while you're here.

[Dazecoop]

thought my ears were burning

I can build you a beam with new oem parts, ive rectified a few axle direct and im axle axles in my time, poor parts etc. Im not trying to big my self up its just so common now. A beam at £200 will be full of cheap Chinese parts i have even found their supplier! Theres a few guys i have built axles for now on here all seem to be happy.

My post is on here somewhere and will tell you everything you need to know

Ah really? Ok that's cool, thanks for replying! I don't think there is actually anything wrong with my current beam, so my thoughts so far is just to lower it. However, I'm going to my resident friendly mechanic / mate of mine in a week's time to give my car a look over, then I can go from there! But thanks, I will certainly bare that in mind!

How low did you want to go? I have a spare GTi beam here that's fairly low. I can do fitting for you and you could pick up that front bumper while you're here.

From looking at photos of lowered 306's, I was thinking around 60mm? I think I am going to go with coilovers (cheap ones), so I don't ruin my standard shocks with using 60mm lowering springs. How low is the beam you have? That does sound very tempting!

[Jonny81191]

The beam I have is low tbf, but it does look epic

   

I also have a bonnet and grille now available, just have to go and collect my replacements first.

[Dazecoop]

Nice, haha! I'll message you again

[miles]

You would be lucky if your beam is OK as even if they seem OK 98% of 306 beams are in need of repair now, I don;t remember the last time I took one apart that was OK.
I've taken beams apart which have passed MOT's (not that they mean much) and have all been scrap, once rust get's into the tube it's gone