Citroen XM Forum

Ohh yes.. They aren't too bad. The large end has a reenforced end lip that is tight over the joint.. I use a screw driver to lever it away a bit at a time. Once off yes it will slide off..

Double check the diameter of the small hole in your new cap against the diameter of the actual track rod.
Later XM's used a larger diameter track rod but common end fittings.
They do sometimes get swapped which can cause problems.

You may already know this but worth repeating as it saves resetting steering alignment.
Note the spanner flats on the inner end of the track rod (can be seen in your photo).
Loosen the track rod end nut then return to original position.
Mark a nut flat and the rod with a position paint or scribe mark.
Now using a spanner on those inner track rod flats unscrew the rod.
This will wind the track rod end right out of the track rod.
You can now replace that end cap.
Screw the end back onto the track rod until touching the nut, then nip the nut up tight.
Go hard with a wire brush to clean up the track rod before you start any of this work.

Turns out the inner gaiter was shot after all. After reading several other posts /guides I decided to have a go at changing it in-situ.

I might live to regret it but I've used a non-genuine gaiter and will try the "wire in the grooves" trick to keep it in place. Fitting involved a jug of boiling water and a combination of copper pipe, grease, brute force, expletives and gaffer tape to persuade it over the spigot!! I also needed to remove the centre sphere, a large wire clip and a hydraulic pipe to provide enough clearance to get the ram off. I'd already put it up on axle stands to repair the exhaust so access underneath wasn't too bad, but getting those wires in will be interesting.

Plenty of other jobs completed and parts fitted over the last few weeks including brake hoses, radiator, spheres, tyres, engine / gearbox service etc etc. The only thing I am really struggling to find is front sidelights - I've got a reasonable offside one, but only the reflector part for the nearside. Any suggestions on where to find one?

As it was a write off I've had to apply to the DVLA for the V5, which will hopefully arrive soon. Assuming there are no major MOT issues it will then be getting taxed and back on the road with a bit of luck.

I just had a look in one of the junk boxes in the garage.
The only passenger one is in two bits.
Plastic cover separated from the reflector body and reflector not perfect.
Cover is the later clear plastic type but could do with a clean and polish.

Recovering ones with ruined silvering and lenses that have come away and are badly faded is easy.
Ideally the reflector needs re alumising, but in reality that's not going to happen.
I've used silver weatherproofing tape then glued the lens on after wet sanding.
Having made good ones from two broken ones, I keep any damaged ones.

Citjon wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 31, 2020 10:48 pm

Turns out the inner gaiter was shot after all. After reading several other posts /guides I decided to have a go at changing it in-situ.

As it was a write off I've had to apply to the DVLA for the V5, which will hopefully arrive soon. Assuming there are no major MOT issues it will then be getting taxed and back on the road with a bit of luck.

Fitting wires or small tye-wraps to the gaiter is easy enough.
If the gaiter is the thinner, plastic type it should be Ok. The neoprene ones are rubbish.
Did you remove the complete track rod from the rack, or leave it on?

For your V5, DVLA will send you a questionnaire asking for more information.
I hope no-one has performed an undocumented engine or gearbox swap, as that will mean the dreaded Q plate.

I have fitted the neoprene type, if it is no good or impossible to secure I will try and source a genuine one. It came as a set with the offside for about £10 so I haven't got much to lose, apart from my time! The track rod is still attached to the rack on the car, as I didn't see any benefit to removing it. Am I missing something that would make the job easier? Both track rod end rubbers have perished so I've bought cheap QH replacements to get through the MOT.

I sent the application off for the V5 4 or 5 weeks ago, expecting it would take a while and longer than usual. I'm 99.9% certain it is the original engine and box and would really not want to be landed with a Q plate. It still has the original Southerington of Grantham number plates front and back which I would prefer to keep! The front panel has been changed but I've got the original one and will swap the VIN plate over.

Finished fitting the nearside rack gaiter today. Time will tell if it was a mistake using a non-genuine gaiter, but it seems to be OK for now. Access for fitting from above wasn't too bad having previously removed the front panel, radiator, air filter, battery box and LHM tank.

Fitting the new inner track rod boot didn't go quite as well. I'd got a cheap pattern one (with the gaiters) and it won't press into the housing. Are genuine ones still available? There are Sasic and Lemforder brands listed on eBay - are either of these any good?

It feels like I'm making progress now, although I did find a small hole in the inner wing where it meets the top of the bumper bracket. It only needs a tiny patch so might as well sort it before the MOT.

Still no sign of the V5 yet which was sent off 10th July!!

On a positive note it's good to have photos back

Rust through that wheelarch closing panel is fairly common, due to the bumper outrigger being spot welded to it and years of water off the wheel.
I'm not sure if it would actually be an Mot item, as it's not the actual suspension or inner wing, but it's best to weld in new steel.

Both Sasic and Lemforder make quality components and Sasic used to make Xm gaiters that were identical to the Citroen ones, but I'm not sure they are now.
I have used Sasic.

For the V5, did you fill in V765?
Give Dvla a call. If you need to have the car verified as an Xm and all original components you will need it inspected by Citroen Car Club.

Thanks for the info, I'll give Sasic a try. I also thought it was a borderline MOT item (within 30cm?) but don't want it getting any worse! The hole stops where it meets the top of the outrigger.

I've used form V62 to apply for the logbook and will try calling them if it doesn't turn up soon. I think V765 is used when a vehicle has been re-registered. This car is still on the DVLA system showing as last taxed in 2001 and V5 issued 1998 so should be OK on the original number.

Jon