Note: It is necessary to purchase or make a suitable tool - see text.
1. Remove both trailing arms (see Chapter 13).
2. Clamp the left trailing arm in a vice.
3. To remove the bearings, purchase a Renault tool (see illustration) or make a replacement as follows. First, mark the exact position of the bearing.
14.3 Renault Trailing Arm Bearing Removal Tool - Closed Rear Axle.
4. Select a threaded rod of sufficient length to reach the inner bearing, a tube of suitable diameter (see illustration), two thick washers of the same diameter as the bearings, a washer with a diameter larger than the tube, and two nuts.
14.4 Remove the trailing arm bearings on the closed rear axle using the Renault tool: 6 - Outer bearing; 7 - Inner bearing.
Cut off two sides of the smaller washer to create a flat strip with a hole in the center - this will be the turning end piece (see Renault tool). Pass the threaded rod through the hole in the strip and screw on the nut. Guide the strip and rod through the bearing so that the strip is behind the bearing. Place the tube on the rod until it touches the edge of the lever. Place a large washer on the end of the tube, then screw on the remaining nut. While holding the rod with pliers, tighten the nut to pull the bearing out, then repeat this action on the remaining bearing.
5. Clean the hole thoroughly. File down any burrs or rough spots that might interfere with assembly. Apply a small amount of general purpose grease to the outer edge of the new bearings, then gently press them into position using a spacer sleeve that rests only on the hard outer edge of the bearing.
6. Clamp the right trailing arm in a vice.
7. Mark the exact position of the bearing inner races on the trailing arm. Cut almost completely through both inner bearing races, being careful not to damage the axle. Use a chisel to split the rings and remove them. Also cut and remove the seal (see illustration).
14.7. Remove the inner bearing rings of the rear axle using a grinding wheel.
8. Clean the lever and install a new seal.
9. Press on new inner rings, beveled side first. When doing this, make sure the torsion bars are seated correctly in their mounting points.
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10. There is no need to lubricate the needle bearings as they are already supplied with grease.
11. Assemble and install the trailing arms (see Chapter 13).