CitroJim's Citroens

[normanlindley]

We'll done Jim excellent result now on to the next step, go on you can do it!

Norman

[CitroJim]

on to the next step, go on you can do it!

The next steps for the next grading started this morning Norman! I'm going to do it and have a target of at least Brown Belt

Right, back on topic Cars...

The Activa is sorted. As anticipated it was just a sticky idle control valve and a bit of ELIT exercise via the actuator test menu has sorted it... For now..

I have a spare if need be...

PavlosV6 came round for a pre-MOT on his V6 Xantia. It was once one of mine and I'm delighted to see it still in very fine fettle and well loved and looked after It's one of the very few cars that were once mine that I still know is running well or even at all. The other notable is my old HDi - Rattiva II...

MOT-wise it's OK but there's just a tadette of play detectable in each track rod end and the rear pads are getting rather low. It's good to see them wearing evenly and that shows the work I did on them a few years ago is still good. Copper grease clearly does work to keep the calipers free of corrosion..

[CitroJim]

Happy to say Pavlos's V6 Passed the MOT today with just an advisory for worn rear pads..

We'll be swapping those tomorrow..

[CitroJim]

The refurbished strut tops have just arrived back from KingAS. Very good they look too

I was amused to see he used my box and packing to return them. He must have thought my box making and packing skills were well up to scratch!

The tops are due to be fitted on Sunday...

[russ92xmsed]

I am going to be very interested to see what you think of them Jim once you have fitted them...wether there is any, if at all, difference in ride quality compared to the original rubber.

[captainhaddock]

Jim, I don't remember if there is a rubber seal in the LHM pipe? I am planning to swap one but I am somewhat hesitant to get stuck and I need the car meaning no time for ordering seals. I don't remember there was one, I think not but love to be sure.
How hard was it to take off the old strut? I've read Johns instruction but just curious, did it take a lot of effort? Or was one karate hit with that hammer enough...

[russ92xmsed]

By the sound of it, a good thwack with a hammer is what you need.

[xmexclusive]

Jaap

There is no seal for the strut leak off pipe.
The new rubber just fits to the strut and is held tight with the clip.
After removing the old pipe wipe the strut leg clean working outwards from the LHM hole.
Cleaning across it may push muck into the hole.

The top of the strut rod is a taper that is pulled up tight against two compressed "O" rings.
The "O" rings are in grooves either side (small dia above, larger below) of the LHM oilway in the strut head.
Because the strut taper narrows towards the top the sharp tap usually drops the strut free just held by the nut.
You may then have to hold the strut rod to undo the nut fully.

John

[captainhaddock]

thanks John, What I meant is the steel LHM pipe going into the strut top, I don't recall there was a seal there.
The O rings that go in the groves are NFP as well I suppose but can they be reused, I doubt it really.

[xmexclusive]

Yours strut heads are drilled for 10mm pipes and you are right there is no sealing washer or "O" ring used.
The strut head "O" rings can usually be reused but it is best to check they are present and undamaged.
They were available last year when I bought a few of all 4 sizes.

John