Citroen XM Forum

I've just replaced the strut tops on my 2.5Td as the originals were a bit crispy, but are they worth keeping? Do have any value as core units for reconditioning?

Also, the new items I fitted have a longer "skirt" underneath compares to the ones removed. They fit fine and the ride now seems much smoother compared to the old ones, so I'm happy!

All strut heads have value as reconditioning items.
I collect them where I can as I get batches refurbished by Kingas.
Sending larger batches reduces the postage costs and 10+ gets a small unit price reduction.

The difference between your old (short gaiter collar) and new (long collar) is one of the Citroen design changes.
This change was to increase the depth of rubber bond (from 15mm to 25mm) on the centre cone.
At the same time they also added a steel outer ring at the bottom of the centre cone.
It will restrain a failing strut but not quickly enough to stop the bonnet getting bent up.

Citroen applied wholesale computer design to reduce mass and redundancy in the XM and its components.
As a first application it was a major success.
In service a number of rather tight factors of safety turned up.
In the case of strut heads there were three major design deficiencies with the first appearing in the first year of service.
Another classic item is the chassis at jacking points where the design allows for a perfectly vertical lifting load only.

John

So it seems I have fitted a new and improved version!

How much do you think the old strut tops are worth? I have these two, plus another pair on my spares car which can be removed. I may put them on ebay.

Tim

I,ll start the ball rolling at £10 each.

John

Sounds ok to me. I'll have 4 of them to go by this weekend hopefully. Postage will be a tenner if thats ok?

xmexclusive wrote:I,ll start the ball rolling at £10 each.

John

You crafty old Dog, John...

Who can rebuild strut tops? I've not seen anyone in the UK that do them.

Elastomer.eu in Latvia can.

I have spare struts here and I also need to replace one 3 in total all still fitted but soon will not be

There are 4 dimensionally different designs of strut head.
If obtaining strut heads as spares to send to refurbish it is important to get the correct type that will fit and work in your car.
Kingas at Elastomer can if specified change the hand of a strut head when refurbishing.
He cannot alter the size of the central hole or the pipe feed thread diameter.

The ones I am getting from lanky tim are large hole hydractive ones.
The one needed by southerner and his spare ones are small hole hydractive.

John