ZX and 306 Rear Axles Interchangeable?

[Laurence7]

The trailing arms on my old ZX Turbo-D tow car are shot (see my post elsewhere about towing my race car "306 2.0HDI Estate as Tow Car "), so I'm wondering about repairing the car or possibly replacing it.

I'm told by Frenchspares (French Car breaker in the Midlands), that the Peugeot 306, Citroen ZX and Citroen Xzara rear axle beams are all interchangeable. Now I don't doubt this fella's word, but I know there will be differences in the braking systems used (for example some have ABS, some don't) and, checking on the Euro-Car-Parts website, I find that there's a huge range of different rear shock absorbers fitted across the model range.

I've checked a local breaker for a suitable beam and they have one from a '99 model Pug 306 2.0HDI Estate.

Can anyone advise me if an axle beam from a 306 2.0HDI Estate is going to fit my old ZX 1.9TD Volcane? If so, is it a good idea?

Thanks

Laurence

[TubbyRutter]

should fit fine, that model 306 would have disk brakes too

[Simes205]

They do.
My brother fitted the one from his old ZX 19TD to his 306Xrdt

[megamaniac]

They are interchangeable, i have one you can have for £40 if you want.
Alternatively you can get it reconned for about £420 including carriage.

Edited by megamaniac on Sunday 29th June 22:58

[Laurence7]

Hi All

Thanks for the feedback.

I've got an axle from a 306 2.0HDI Estate on the way - being fitted Wednesday.

Out of interest, I'll measure the diameter of the torsion bars to see if they're any bigger (stiffer) than the original ZX Volcane items.

I'll also have a look at the dampers on the 306 Estate - they're supposed to have some kind of load-sensitive feature - not sure how that works

I'll report findings later this week!

Cheers

Laurence

[shalmaneser]

Laurence7 said:

Hi All

Thanks for the feedback.

I've got an axle from a 306 2.0HDI Estate on the way - being fitted Wednesday.

Out of interest, I'll measure the diameter of the torsion bars to see if they're any bigger (stiffer) than the original ZX Volcane items.

I'll also have a look at the dampers on the 306 Estate - they're supposed to have some kind of load-sensitive feature - not sure how that works

I'll report findings later this week!

Cheers

the load sensitive bit is to do with the braking, not the dampers. as the rear sus compresses the brake bias moves towards the rear brakes.



Laurence

[hifihigh]

If I recall correctly HDI 306es had the same rear beam as the GTi-6 which incorperates "rubber blocks of varying hardness and gradual absorbtion which constantly keep it in the best possible position in relation to the struture" whatever that means.

[benjfrst]

pretty sure the zx volcane and xsara vts have thicker tb's than all the 306's including the gti 6.

are you keeping the rear arms? the zx's have 0mm toe in.

xsaras have 5mm and 306's have 4.2mm

if you fit the 306 arms the turn in wont be as sharp.

most 306 and xsara people in the know are fitting zx rear arms.

not that you will care much if its your daily hack.

[900T-R]

benjfrst said:

are you keeping the rear arms? the zx's have 0mm toe in.

xsaras have 5mm and 306's have 4.2mm

Interesting - that's presumably the reason the ZX feels so keen on turn-in (and rather less stable at the back ) versus both its successor and the Pug. That, and it's 75-100 kg lighter.

[Laurence7]

Mmmm... that's interesting about the toe-in on Pugs and Xsaras versus the ZX

I've always been a fan of the handling of the ZX - I've had two Volcane 1.9 Turbo-Diesels in a row, and kept each of them many years (my son thinks I'm a sad old git!).

I measured the diameter of the torsion shafts on the donor 306 Estate axle beam - they're 20mm diameter. I haven't had a chance to measure the old Volcane items. Out of interest - does anyone know if the shaft diameters vary from model to model?

Laurence

Edited by Laurence7 on Thursday 3rd July 20:56

[benjfrst]

actually not sure now about the torsion shaft diameters, here are the ARB diameters though

Xsara Non VTS:

Front ARB 19mm

Rear ARB 20mm

Xsara VTS (XU10J4RS engined cars)

Front ARB 21mm

Rear ARB 24mm



306 Sports models

Front ARB 21mm

Rear ARB 24mm


306 other models

Front ARB 17mm to 20mm

Rear ARB 19mm to 22mm


not sure about the volcane.

But with the Volcane being a sports model and your hdi replacement beam not (I guess), you might have compromised.

So yes all the axles are interchangeable but there are many subtle differences that will have a big effect on the ride.

[Laurence7]

Am I missing something? I didn't know that the ZX/306 range had rear anti-roll bars - certainly neither my original Volcane axle nor the donor 306 Estate axle have rear anti-roll bars.

I've just now picked up my Volcane from the garage, complete with newly-fitted 306 Estate rear axle. As a result, the rear's now a bit higher than it should be - great for towing - perhaps not so good for hooning (but hey, that's what the race car's for )

Laurence

[900T-R]

On a related note my parents passed theirs - first the family car for just over 60,000 miles, then I bought it and put another 75,000 on it in two years, now Mum's runabout - through MOT last week; total cost £40. Hooray!

[benjfrst]

Laurence7 said:

Am I missing something? I didn't know that the ZX/306 range had rear anti-roll bars - certainly neither my original Volcane axle nor the donor 306 Estate axle have rear anti-roll bars.

I've just now picked up my Volcane from the garage, complete with newly-fitted 306 Estate rear axle. As a result, the rear's now a bit higher than it should be - great for towing - perhaps not so good for hooning (but hey, that's what the race car's for )

Laurence

have a look at

http://www.306gti6.com/forum/showthread.php?id=638...

all zx's 306's and xsara's run a rear torsion bar.

Edited by benjfrst on Sunday 6th July 12:32

[megamaniac]

It runs through the centre of the beam ,the torsion bars around the outside.

[Laurence7]

Ah so - very clever!