Citroen XM Forum

It recently occurred to me that I have not yet shown my modest facilities, such as they are, where major works are undertaken and parts stored. Here are some photos for your interest! Regards, Matthew T.

THATS how I need my shed to look one day!!!

WOW. Mathew, you kept that spare 24v engine quiet, didnt know you had that, was it a german import?? Or a lucky UK find?

Could you also share the secret to getting the rear struts out of the subframe, when you HAVE siezed R clip pins in the strut ends!! Ive got three subframes complete but all have siezed R clips and Im desperate to get them out and dismantled...

To get seized R clips out, I found pulling them from the top worked after using penetrating oil and twisting the clips round. Another method is to drill the subframe, cut the clips off level with the strut, then drive them out with a small punch.

Matthew, your garage looks like a regular treasure trove and is surprisingly large.
My garage is only just long enough for a car, so when working on cars I have to keep moving it in and out which makes any job where the subframe or suspension has to be removed, or working from underneath, a real pain.

However big they are, they're never big enough! Impressive, Matthew.

Dieselman wrote:To get seized R clips out, I found pulling them from the top worked after using penetrating oil and twisting the clips round. Another method is to drill the subframe, cut the clips off level with the strut, then drive them out with a small punch.

I can only laugh at that.. Thats the obvious way, but when the obvious doesnt work what then...?

I think the only other way is to undo the anti roll bar, drop the arm as LOW as possible and POP the cup out the end of the strut rod... least then the alloy part of the strut can be saved and prevented alloy corrosion any further... I think thats the only way its gonna happen!

Thanks chaps and the garage is large enough for two cars with room for parts, although one side is open to the garden so it can be fresh in the winter! I should have known you would scrutinize the engines Paul! The 24v is from the very early import car I broke in Birmingham that had only done around 60k but possibly did not get the mod, therefore only good for parts. I think I may have been lucky with rear struts as the clips were not hard to remove. Regards, Matthew T.

Yea my spare 24v engine IS a known un modified engine and is my 24v's original one. Id still like to strip it down one day and see whats happened..

I had the guided tour a couple of years ago, always amazes me the number of engine swaps and other big jobs you take on in the facility! I think BLY was sitting on the other side of the garage when I visited, engine and box were out for the first time.

Regards, Andy