Buying a 1.9d - rear axle ok?

[Micoclarke]

Hello all, I recently posted asking about buying advice for Berlingo's

I've just been to see one today. It's an 02 plate, pre-facelift, 1.9d forte.

It looks remarkably clean for its age, cosmetically inside and out, and has done 160000 (apparently motorway) miles.

The only concern I had with the car was uneven wear on the rear tyres. There was more wear on the outside of the tyre. I thought that tyre wear related to rear axle issues  would cause more wear on the inside of the tyre?

Is there any way of telling whether the rear axle is ok from visual inspection? I can attach some pictures of anyone could tell from that?

It has full service history. Has an MOT till next year. £750.

Does this sound reasonable? 

Any replies are welcome, cheers.

[Micoclarke]

As always, if this is in the wrong thread, Sorry.

[Micoclarke]

Another thing to add. I think this is a known issue with 1.9d, but the throttle was very heavy and didn't feel that smooth. Almost as if it had 3 modes, low medium and high.

The clutch was also heavy but nothing too abnormal.

The heavy throttle could get annoying, is there any way to remedy this?

[geoff]

Clutch ... https://www.berlingoforum.com/Thread-Clu...ttle+cable

Do the same with throttle cable - smoothest least curved route, don't follow the original !

Lube both cables also as it does help.

[jj9]

If the axle hasn't been changed it will have wear on it and will be on it's way out, they all are.
I've haven't seen a berlingo yet (with the torsion bar axle) that doesn't have some degree of wheel lean. 

Even if the axle is worn and the wheels are leaning you could get a few years out of it, the MOT tester could pick up on it but I think they must apply a bit of leniency judging by how many you see with wheels leaning in at the top.  

Check the axle by applying the handbrake and then pull forward / reverse, this will cause the vehicle to squat down / rise up, listen for any knocks or bangs from the axle.


A thread on how to check the axle....

https://www.berlingoforum.com/Thread-How...le-is-shot  


A reconditioned axle is around £300 plus the time or cost to fit, so not the end of the world if necessary.


If the rear tyres are worn on the outside edges maybe they have been taken off the rims and turned, you can do this if the tyres aren't directional to even up the wear.

The heavy clutch could be the cable (if it's cable operated) maybe it needs replacing or maybe a dose of oil squirted through it would solve the problem.

The above goes for the throttle if that has a cable.


I never read into service history that much, I've seen cars with full dealer history that have wanted a load of work done to them. Best to look at the vehicle and judge it on what it is now rather than what it has had done in the past, I would still buy a vehicle with no history from someone who has looked after it and maintained it.

There's plenty of berlingos knocking around, some a lot cheaper, but if you're keen on this one huff and puff a bit about the rear tyres / axle then offer the seller £500 cash (and mean it, don't ask them, tell them!) 

If you get knocked back (likely on first offer) don't be too eager to increase your offer, a long silence as you walk round the vehicle looking at it is often a good bargaining tool   


.

[Micoclarke]

If the axle hasn't been changed it will have wear on it and will be on it's way out, they all are.
I've haven't seen a berlingo yet (with the torsion bar axle) that doesn't have some degree of wheel lean. 

Even if the axle is worn and the wheels are leaning you could get a few years out of it, the MOT tester could pick up on it but I think they must apply a bit of leniency judging by how many you see with wheels leaning in at the top.  

Check the axle by applying the handbrake and then pull forward / reverse, this will cause the vehicle to squat down / rise up, listen for any knocks or bangs from the axle.


A thread on how to check the axle....

https://www.berlingoforum.com/Thread-How...le-is-shot  


A reconditioned axle is around £300 plus the time or cost to fit, so not the end of the world if necessary.


If the rear tyres are worn on the outside edges maybe they have been taken off the rims and turned, you can do this if the tyres aren't directional to even up the wear.

The heavy clutch could be the cable (if it's cable operated) maybe it needs replacing or maybe a dose of oil squirted through it would solve the problem.

The above goes for the throttle if that has a cable.


I never read into service history that much, I've seen cars with full dealer history that have wanted a load of work done to them. Best to look at the vehicle and judge it on what it is now rather than what it has had done in the past, I would still buy a vehicle with no history from someone who has looked after it and maintained it.

There's plenty of berlingos knocking around, some a lot cheaper, but if you're keen on this one huff and puff a bit about the rear tyres / axle then offer the seller £500 cash (and mean it, don't ask them, tell them!) 

If you get knocked back (likely on first offer) don't be too eager to increase your offer, a long silence as you walk round the vehicle looking at it is often a good bargaining tool   


.

Thanks for the info, I'll have a closer look at the rear axle today. 

If I can get £250 off this would recoup some of the money assuming I have to get a reconditioned axle.

Otherwise the car looks nice and clean, so I'll see what my gut tell me.

Thanks for the bargaining advice, I'll definitely use it.

[ffrenchie]

What was your previous vehicle ? Berlingo clutches are heavy compared to a lot of cars you soon get used to it. There is a slight lean on the rear wheels even when the axle is good, it's called positive camber. Here's an old thread that shows what to look for. It sounds like they might have swapped the wheels front to rear.

[Micoclarke]

What was your previous vehicle ? Berlingo clutches are heavy compared to a lot of cars you soon get used to it. There is a slight lean on the rear wheels even when the axle is good, it's called positive camber. Here's an old thread that shows what to look for. It sounds like they might have swapped the wheels front to rear.

Currently drive a new Qashqai through work, so very light clutch and throttle!

It should just take getting used to - my old fiesta had a stiff clutch.

I'll have a look at the thread, cheers.