Citroen XM Forum

Height lever siezeur happens under the car where the pivot meets the rods.. They are connected together by a clip which siezes up.. Unclip the exhaust heat shield to access the assembly. The clip is like a c clip doubled over with a lock..

Plastic height lever breakage also common the plastics crack over time from stiffening lever then boom gives up eventually..

Wheels off today. Checked the rear subframe mounts carefully and they look to be solid. I'll be giving it all a good clean up, rust treatment and eventually waxoiling.

The distributor cap looks to have been overheating to the point of cracking. Not sure what would cause this but will be replacing it anyway.

Had a look for the plastic cover on the bellhousing for undoing the crankshaft nut and couldn't find it. Forgot to take a picture but it looks like there is a timing scale there instead? I could be completely wrong about this though.

The nearside steering gaiter also looks a bit knackered - is it easy to change?

The parts / jobs list is still getting longer but at least there's no welding to tackle yet!!

Jon

Those subframe mounts box sections at the rear looking quite good.. The rubber mounts housing just needs a clean..

Strut top cones are beginning to push out. You can see the rubber split clearly..

Looks good.. Otherwise..

Ns steering gaiter a proper pita to do. You have to stretch them over the pas ram spigot and get the pas ram off and I'm sure you can't get the ram off the rack in situ.. I hate dooing them..

Matthew said he did change a near side gaiter with the rack in.
He unbolted the ram and I believe the track rod, then fed the gaiter over the ram mount.

I hope that wasn't the reason he suffered a cracked ram pipe.

Thanks for that - do I need to budget for replacing the strut tops now or will they be OK? I've seen all the horror stories so won't be taking any chances with them. The offside doesn't look split but the rubber seems to be missing a bit?

I can't see too much alarming about those strut tops (apart from more surface rust, and signs of some fluid), but may be wrong.
Keep an eye on the gap between the spheres and the scuttle edge immediately above them: gap should be around 10mm, with car at normal height*. If touching, or nearly touching, that indicates rubber detachment.
* Will be less if suspension put on Highest.

They are OK for now and aren't urgent.. But will need to be done.. It be a case of monitor and observe..

Forgot - The 'missing' bit of rubber is part of the design: makes the strut top more flexible in one direction than another.

Relieved to hear that. The fluid is old LHM I have been spraying on the rusty bits!!

Checked again and it is the track rod dust cover that is split not the gaiter. Part number 4066.21 should be easy by the look of it.
Jon