Wheel Bearing and various front suspension bits

[Gazzer83]

As the title says. I am going to be renewing my front wheel bearing and various suspension bits over this weekend.
I will try to post some pics. Wish me luck.
Gary

[Stranger]

Wishing you luck

[Gazzer83]

Did the bearing, lower arm and anti roll bar bush and end. What a nightmare. All was going well until it came time to remove the outer and it was solid. I have a 10 ton press and it would not move. Ended up cutting it and then smashing it out with a hammer and chisel. It took me ages to dress the face so the new bearing would fit. Joy oh joy i now have the other side to do. Think i'll just shoot the bloody thing now and be done with it.
On to another day of fun and bad language.

[Gazzer83]

All wheel bearings done along with lower arms, anti roll bar bushes and track rod ends. Makes a big difference to the handling and steering.
Just got the rear dampers and service the torsion bars.
Already done the cam belt, water pump, idler and tensioner.
Had to replace the coils (cheap set off ebay, but very good quality).
Getting 46 to the gallon, so not to shabby.
Regards
Gary

[Stranger]

46 blooming heck, I only get 49 from my CRV with it's modern blue tech diesel engine, emission standards meeting super thin metal (read tinny) bodywork, poor paint because it's applied by a fly fart to keep the weight down and, guess what ..... meet emission standards, reliability which is worse than any Renault I've ever owned all backed up by a dealership which hasn't even got half of Renault's customer care skills. Needless to say it's going before long.

Job well done on the work Sir

[Gazzer83]

Quick update.
So now engine has run in i am averaging 46.8 to the gallon and i do around 600 miles per week. 50/50 motorway, ordinary roads.
Walloped a kerb (bloody Jag drivers) lucky no damage other than tracking.
Several trips of running family up and down to Gatwick. Never missed a beat.
Always said i would never own a french car but this little Renault Megane is quick, good on fuel and not uncomfortable to drive.
Next stop is to do the rear shocks. Got a decent set of the net for not much money.
See you soon
Gary

[Gazzer83]

Update,
Still haven't got round to doing the rear dampers or greasing the torsion bars and now need to do the front offside lower arm.
Don't you just love the pot holes in our roads.
Car has now covered 23,000 miles since i bought her last November and she hasn't missed a beat.
I an seriously impressed with this little car and will be keeping her for a while.
Paint work is terrible but mechanically and structurally sound.
She stops, starts and runs like a new car.

[AlexB]

Thanks Garry for a remarkable story. Yes, these are the last generation of honest cars before fiddling with generally unnecessary gadgets and features began. Well done!

Regarding pulling out the bearings. If things get stuck one can use an old arc welder to rapidly heat the part which is being removed. The same is with undoing all sorts of threaded fasteners and even broken bleed screw on the callipers. Heating, of course, damages the part, so it has to be replaced with new.