Hello from Sussex

[XmXD]

Hello all,

I've been lurking around the forums for the past year-ish since i bought a 2.5TD XM VSX in 2017 with 130k on the clock, which i shamefully have only just started working on!
The rear spheres seemed to be absolutely flat as the back of the car skipped and bucked when the smallest of bumps was driven over, but with the new spheres, it's just beautiful, i've never driven a smoother car that stays so level!
I've very much fallen in love with this XM, for it's looks, quirks and comfort and have patched up a couple of rather rusty places, one place feel foul to idiots not knowing where to jack the car, with a folded sill seam rusting from the front back.

Before:

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After:

53111080_421044045129944_8705722181541167104_n.jpg

I need to replace both radiators next, all of the belts and front spheres.
Thankyou all those who have been so helpful with my questions on these forums, they are a wealth of knowledge and i appreciate the help from you all!

I'm also after some "Italia" alloys that were on some of the Mk1's, if anyone has any they want to part with, please let me know

[Assich]

I now only ever take the wheels in by themselves for new tyres. Most tyre changing places have no idea about putting the suspension to full height and where to jack. Unless you can stand over whoever does the work damage of some sort is likely. I can leave the wheels and come back later worry free.

[White Exec]

Very wise.

At my local Euromaster tyre outfit I stand over them while they do it. "Subframe, por favor..." does the trick.
They know the car now, so just do it automatically.
They also have the centreless attachment (for Monte Carlo's), so that's where I go.
Learnt over the decades to be around while tyre work is done, and to make sure balancing is spot on, and tyre circularity looks good.

[XmXD]

I'd guess this was done quite a few years ago before i bought the car, it's just so annoying that the work was completely unnecessary and the rust avoidable! Oh well.

[Dieselman]

The front jacking points fold over becuse they are already rusty inside the cills. You will be amazed at how thin the metal becomes.

[Assich]

It is seriously thin with no rust!

[XmXD]

It didn't look too bad when i chopped out the rot

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Any remaining rust was treated with Fertan rust killer.

[xmexclusive]

The design was flawed assuming all lifting loads would be vertical.

[White Exec]

Was even possible to fold over the jacking tab on a brand new car if the tab wasn't protected by a slotted rubber jacking pad.
Might have suited the production line, but quite inadequate for routine servicing.

[XmXD]

I'm just not risking it in the future, only jacking from the subframe.