Strut Tops...

[mds141]

Ah I see, it's all clear now.

[mds141]

I've got a NOS strut top mount that I got off eBay last year. How do I ascertain which model/year it will fit. Any distinguishing marks/numbers I need to look for?

[XMX]

I've got a NOS strut top mount that I got off eBay last year. How do I ascertain which model/year it will fit. Any distinguishing marks/numbers I need to look for?

Hi Mark, I've got both the small and large type off a vehicles, but as I'm going out now for a couple hours I can't just check them to give you the Actual top strut hole dia. where the piston/rod exits (The hole dia. of where the underside of the hex. retaining nut is adjacent too) !

But in the mean if you measure that feature (Dia.) at least it will be ready for me to confirm which type your 'NOS' is ?

Unless John or someone else can give the sizes to you before I get back !

Alternatively look thro' Johns and my thread/postings as the strut top piston/rod exit hole diameters have been discussed/stated sometime in past threads !



XMX

.

[xmexclusive]

Mds

When I get the chance I will look out one of each size strut head and measure the hole diameters and post for the record.
Edit note: Just seen that XMX will do this long before I get round to it.

On Citroen changes we are only just grazing around the edges here.
If you want the fuller picture then:
Strut heads for thick rods;
Strut heads for thin rods;
Strut heads for 3.5mm LHM pipes instead of the hyrdactive 10mm feeds. (Been a few on ebay NOS to catch buyers out).
Very early 4 dent strut heads. (10 dent became standard quickly after the 4 dent heads started bonnet popping during warranty.
Change of position of sealing "o" ring grooves leading to the next item on the list.
Strut rods with 2 oilways and strut rods with 1 oilway (One combination of rod and head is not permitted).
Thats just from memory so I may well have missed something.

A veritable minefield for the unwary.

All covered by the "Citroen reserve the right to modify during production without notice".
Throw in also the "Dealer will charge heavily for sometimes less than perfect support".
Then you understand why the XM gained the reputation that it did in the UK.

John

[russ92xmsed]

Oh Gawd..this does not boad well!

[CitroJim]

Oh Gawd..this does not boad well!

It's a minefield

They learned from their mistake when it came to the Xantia. They fail too but there's only three types. Hydractive, non-Hydractive and V6. That's it. In extremis you can convert non-Hydractive to Hydractive and viky-verky...

[citroenxm]

And you can fit an S2 Exclusive to a S1 VSX too...

Ive not tried an Exclusive top on a V6 yet though, as my V6 tops were not that bad when I looked closely at them couple years ago...

[CitroJim]

Won't fit Paul. The V6 Top differs in the same way as XM big and small. The diameter is bigger and if you try a V6 top on any other Xantia you'll find the piston is a bit of a sloppy fit!!!

[citroenxm]

Ah, so you need to do a strut AND Top swap then....

[CitroJim]

Ah, so you need to do a strut AND Top swap then....

Yep, you do. V6s were only hydractive and are a tad stiffer than lesser engined cars. I wonder what a non-Hydractive Xantia would feel like running on V6 struts... The pistons are bigger and I'm not sure what effect they would have on the suspension dynamics in a car with a much lighter front end.

The V6 and autobox is a heavy old lump against say, an HDi and manual box...