bent rear axle

[siju]

Hello,

I took the car for alignment and found out that the rear axle is bent (the left wheel has lots of toe-in) which is pretty strange as I have not crashed the car.

Anyway I look for a rear axle. My puma has the eye mount. How I can tell by looking only the axle whether it is eye or fork type (I know that the change was made in 2000 but I have found a 2000 axle and don't know what it is).

The other problem is that in Greece there are a lot of Mk4/Mk5 fiestas but few pumas. So it's easier to find a fiesta axle. But I think that the puma rear axle is strengthened in relation to fiesta and I don't want to mess up the handling. Can anyone confirm if there are really any difference between them or is it just ford marketing BS?

 

[AshLaw]

The change (fork to eye) was made between 1998 / 1999.

I have a 1999 T plated Puma and mine is eye type suspension, yet I used to have a late 1998 T plated Puma which was fork type suspension.

 

[TGPlayer1]

The easiest way to tell - however it relies on the car not being modified - is whether it has spacers behind the rear hubs. Eye type axles DO NOT have them fitted as standard.

 

[siju]

Thanks for the replies. I took the car to a workshop and it seems that the wheel bearing is on its last legs and causes the wrong wheel alignment. The beam seems OK.

So it is a chance to put on my focus rear disc conversion!

Alex

 

[tuonokid]

Hi Alex
The disc conversion is really easy, retaining the ABS is more of a problem.
Barry

 

[siju]

Hi Barry,

yeah I have seen both your guide and the one that Sinisa wrote. I'll give it a go and see what the results will be!

Alex

 

[Wild E. Coyote]

It is quite easy to do, just be precise with the sensors and no problems