Citroen XM Forum

Depending on what is wrong with your existing inserts dictates whether they are salvageable, or not.

They are an aluminium film laminated between a plastic base and an outer acrylic layer.
If they are just dull and matte looking, they can be sanded and polished, as this is external oxydisation of the acrylic.
If they have white lumps under the acrylic, water has migrated into the laminate and the aluminium has corroded. Other than sanding back and applying an external film there is no rescuing trims with this issue.

Well the XM is loaded, ready to go to Pleiades tomorrow. They are going to sort the handbrake out and fix the damaged steering boots. They will then do an mot and if it passes, she’s back on the road

Dieselman wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 17, 2023 6:28 am

Depending on what is wrong with your existing inserts dictates whether they are salvageable, or not.

They are an aluminium film laminated between a plastic base and an outer acrylic layer.
If they are just dull and matte looking, they can be sanded and polished, as this is external oxydisation of the acrylic.
If they have white lumps under the acrylic, water has migrated into the laminate and the aluminium has corroded. Other than sanding back and applying an external film there is no rescuing trims with this issue.

Thanks for this, I am afraid it is the later for my trim. So it looks like the only way forward is to spend money. However, I think I will wait until it passes it’s test

dcz1643 wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 17, 2023 2:44 pm

Well the XM is loaded, ready to go to Pleiades tomorrow. They are going to sort the handbrake out and fix the damaged steering boots. They will then do an mot and if it passes, she’s back on the road

It will pass.

would you like a set of steel wheels for an XM?

ideal for winter tyres etc, in good condition with good tyres etc

as you know i'm pretty local to you, so wouldn't mind dropping off......

maxferreira wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 19, 2023 6:02 pm

would you like a set of steel wheels for an XM?

ideal for winter tyres etc, in good condition with good tyres etc

as you know i'm pretty local to you, so wouldn't mind dropping off......

Yes please.. ...

maxferreira wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 19, 2023 6:02 pm

would you like a set of steel wheels for an XM?

ideal for winter tyres etc, in good condition with good tyres etc

as you know i'm pretty local to you, so wouldn't mind dropping off......

Hi Max, thanks for getting in touch. I am not sure I need another set of wheels and tyres. I have just put new tyres on the alloys for the MOT. However, I will always consider any offers. What’s the deal and how come you have a spare set of XM steel wheels?

I am looking forward to meeting up with the other two XM guys I. Teesside, later in the year. Cheers…

Well I have just got some real bad news about the XM. It has failed it's MOT on quite a number of things, here is the list: Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))
Central Front Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working Side indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Split gaiter (2.1.3 (g) (ii))
Offside Front Steering box leaking to the extent that oil is dripping (2.1.1 (e) (ii))
Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))
Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))
Nearside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (1.1.12 (f) (i))
Offside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (1.1.12 (f) (i))
Nearside Front Inner Hydraulic fluid leaking excessively Mid section hydraulic leak possible suspension pipe (8.4.1 (a) (i))

A lot of this can be repaired but the steering rack is a real problem, as Pleiades decided to put the car through an MOT, before they did any work on the steering rack and now they don't want to do the job. It seems that to change the rack, the engine needs to come out but I am not certain about this. Does anyone know of anyone who can help with this problem, or do I just need to sell the car for parts (I will be gutted if that is the case). I can have the car transported around the country if needed but I am a bit stumped at the moment. Cheers...Derek

Caution: Personal opinion follows

The only reason to part out an XM is for unrepairable/uneconomic-to-repair rust to the shell.

I appreciate an engine out job is not to be taken on lightly, but it shouldn't be the end for the car.

Good luck getting this sorted. I'm sure help will be forthcoming from this forum. I'll pitch in as best I can...

Racks on 2.0 8v engines are removable with engines in situ. Cxprestegeauto is a dab hand at removing racks.. but I'm not sure on v6 engines cars

The parking brake id surely expect to only be one of two things .. the outer sheath has split where it passes through the guide hook so when the pedal is pressed the two halfs compress but may also collapse therefore not allowing full brake application... or its not adjusted properly at the caliper...
Brake pipes have a fairly thick pipe wall, and id be very tempted to rub the pipe with emmery or sand the rust off and paint them over again... as long as they aren't rusty, id expect a pipe ferrul to be advisory rather then faul contribution..
Xm washers used plastic pipes from washer tank to jets which seemed to collect black debris from somewhere and it soon entered the washer jets, I got so fed up of it I ditched all the plastic pipeing on mine and fitted same bore rubber pipe and also emptied the tank .. now its washes perfectly.. Side repeater fairly simple, if not bulb look at plug to side lamp if not that then its either lost earth or feed and another wire from the front lamp in bumper to it needs splicing in. This also happend on my 2.1 here...

If it wasn't for the rack id offer to do all else Derek to help out, but I'm over opposite side of the country in Wales..