Brian Primmer and Lithuanian strut tops

[MTXM]

I have been trying to contact Brian Primmer re strut tops on the number given by the CCC magazine advert and there is no dialling tone which is strange. There is also an email address given but I just wondered if anyone knew anything? With regards, Matthew T.

[citroenxm]

Do you have more money then you need mathew??

Brian goes to kings just like you and I can and adds a mark up..

why not deal direct yourself and save a fair few ££££££ s??

or pardon my ignorance are you wanting chrome strips? Didnt russ discover a good effect and sucessfully apply silver tape to them with a good result??

[MTXM]

To cut a long story short Paul I had two strut tops remanufactured direct for a friend and they send me back a non-matching pair, ie. an early type and slightly later waisted version. I accept they are interchangeable, but I am still unhappy about using one of each type. The chap in Lithuania acknowledged they made a mistake, but will not cover postage to make the switch and is now ignoring my emails. Needless to say I am not impressed by the service and to be honest, although no doubt serviceable, the quality of the work does not look that great either. I understand Brian has a stock of remade strut tops and I hoped it might be possible to switch. When I last saw Brian he looked very frail and I am slightly fearing the worst! With regards, Matthew T.

[Eddie nuff]

The chap in Lithuania acknowledged they made a mistake, but will not cover postage to make the switch and is now ignoring my emails.

Puts a new light on this superhero! His mistake but he won't sort it!

[MTXM]

Yes Neil I am sorry to say that I cannot give my recommendation to use the company and would certainly not do so myself again. It is a shame because communication otherwise was good and the parts were delivered quite swiftly for a fairly reasonable cost. I understand that Japp has found an alternative service and from what I have seen the finished result is also much more attractive. With regards, Matthew T.

[xmexclusive]

Matthew, I am sorry things did not work out as you hoped.
PM me full details and I will see if I can help with a swap.
I need ORGA of car if it is earlier than 1993 as the 1990 Citroen strut/head change was undated, just listed as when the stock runs out.
Also check the number of security dimples inside the strut heads you have as I will not take or use the very early 4 dimple heads.

If you consider the structural integrity of the rebuilding is suspect on yours then publish urgently full details on here.
The different appearance of these refurbished items was fully published in detail on here when they first became available.
So the rather rough finish should not have been a surprise.
My view remains that they are a cheap servicable option to keep an XM on the road.
When first available they were the only alternative to the incredibly expensive and reported NFP Citroen ones.

Did you consider the Dutch ones as an option when you placed your order with KINGas.

It may help others sending to know what specific instructions you put on your order?

It is my understanding that KINGas in Lithuania uses the strut head hole size as the difference guide to strut heads.
On that basis the item is usable and servicable as supplied.
The process was set up with no spares stock, items sent in go through the refurbish and rebuild process as batches.
I corresponded to see if we could build up a stock holding at an extra cost but supplies were just not obtainable.
I suspect therefore that your original head has been sent out to another customer and cannot reasonably be retrieved.
Nor is there spare stock of any of the many different XM strut head variations to draw from.

On a more general note not sure if I have ever put up details of the 1990 strut/struthead changes as it does not affect any of my cars.
Citroen altered the position and size of the strut holes and struthead washers.
New type strut heads were NOT permitted to be used on old type struts.
Citroen required a new type strut to be fitted to match the new type struthead.
They allowed old system one side of the car and new on the other side.
They also allowed new design strut in old type head.

John

[MTXM]

Many thanks for you response and advice John and I can confirm an orga number of 6023, while the car is a 1993 reg. 2.0sei turbo manual and therefore fitted with the slightly later waisted strut top. If you had a part of the correct type and were happy to do a swap to give me a matching pair that would certainly be much appreciated. The remanufactured top I would ideally like to exchange is of the earlier type with straight sides and I have checked mine and there are actually four dimples rather than the ten on the later top. I can also confirm I do not think the structural integrity of the work is poor and it is more the finish, including a completely different collar design and almost transparent paint! The Dutch replacement tops have only recently come to my attention and I would certainly consider them next time and there were no special instructions with my order. I think it was reasonable to expect return of my original parts or those of a matching type although I accept the head holes are the same. As you suggest another customer must have my other top and I have his! With regards, Matthew T. PS. The Lithuanian Company now seems to be called Elastomer and the person I dealt with was Irmantas.

[xmexclusive]

Hi Matthew

I have just checked and the one remaining small hole one has waisted sides.
It is also passenger side and I think that pairs with yours.
It will need painting as the finish of the elastomer is matt black.

How quickly do you need it?
We expect to be over in early December.

Elastomer and Irmantas are the same firm and person that I have corresponded with.
The modified top skirt was essential to allow work space to weld in the ring that prevents bonnet popping on failure.
This extra feature can only be added after assembly, then the elastomer is cast.

The early strut head design changes I mentioned above are very important.
It seems that the restrictions they impose are not at all well known, nor the weakness of the 4 dimple head.
I have seen no evidence to confirm that waisting and move to 10 dimple happened at the same time.
I notice that the Dutch photos show a 4 dimple head being rebuilt.

If I send any more heads to KINGas to rebuild I will mark them and specify return of my own items, no exchange acceptable.

John

[MTXM]

Hi John,
That is great news you have a suitable spare strut top and it is indeed the passenger one I need, while there is no problem about the paint. If you were able to call in early next month I would be really grateful and there is certainly no rush as I have loaned and fitted some other parts on the car for the present. I also note your other comments including about the Company name and modified top skirt and specifying return of original parts in the future! Please let me know when you are this way and it would also be good to meet up
With regards,
Matthew T.

[Dieselman]

I have checked mine and there are actually four dimples rather than the ten on the later top.

How did you check, visually from underneath?