My 1993 XM 2.1 SD Auto L322 VCV

[Aerodynamica]

Forewarned

[Aerodynamica]

I bet the parking brake cable has jumped off at the caliper end, due to being too slack.

This was from weeks ago but still I only have half a parking brake.

While I was under the car last week for the FDV work I had a quick look at the parking brake cable and the caliper end is still in place but loose (it's the near side) Looking at the 'lever' behind a heat shield next to the exhaust, the lever mechanism looks like it might have one of the two cables dislodged - I couldn't quite see how but suspected this to be the case. I only gave it brief attention due to the terrible cold and the lack of time getting the FDV job done and so didn't really work out what I was looking at with the parking brake mechanism.
It looked like the lever is pulled from the pedal using a single cable and then this lever has the two caliper cables connected to is further up (?) I think the uppermost cable had come adrift. Looks like you couldn't even begin to do anything with it without first removing the heatshield anyway.

[Dieselman]

iirc, you can just disconnect it at the caliper end and push the inner cable backwards and the nipple at the clevis will find the retainer on it's own.

[robert_e_smart]

You are best to remove the little shield Graeme, 2 10mm bolts hold it in place.

If it has popped out, the cable must need tightened up.

[Aerodynamica]

Thanks folks, hopefully get to have a go at this today

[Aerodynamica]

Well, the parking brake cable simply refitted at the lever end and adjusted - now working very well.

The seatbelt anchor bolt was a right PITA. the fore and aft adjustment of the passenger seat is inop and though the motor can be heard there was no movement and the think just clicked. With the lower seat cushion off the problem was quite obvious: the square-section prop shaft from the motor to each of the seat runners had a plastic coupling broken in the middle so trying to move the sear forward enough to reach the rear bolts was a chore as the gear in the left hand side runner is still (probably why the plastic coupling snapped) so had to use pliers to turn the shaft. Eventually managed to push the seat forward from the rear seat position. Then realised I could reach the 17mm seatbelt bolt from the side anyway so job finally done.

Getting the seat back to a moderate position was a chore once more.

All back together and ready for a replacement set of plastic couplings one day...

Also had a look at the exhaust rattle and it is hitting the body with the upper surface of the tail pipe just behind the bumper. It seems to be because the two rear exhaust boxes are not fitted correctly - the back box has its hanger missing and the crosswise middle box is at a slight angle as a result - the center pipe to the box is sitting a bit low I think because of the angle of the box. So another MOT problem to solve.

FDV still better.

But the jobs working on the car at my parents' is a pain as they're having a major refit done in the house I'm out in all weathers with no moving space - it was icy sleet and puddles when I started working on it earlier, finally cleared up a bit later so I took a few snaps.

Narrow driveway and garage full of stuff






Le moteur


Interior after the front passenger seat work

[Dieselman]

That dashboard is looking a bit shiny, it would be worth going over it with a damp cloth to knock it back a bit.

Overall, it's a lovely car and a great colour.

[russ92xmsed]

Mmm agree, can't stand that shiny silicone spray stuff.

But Graeme, I do love the colour. It's looking great. Well done with all your fixes.

[Aerodynamica]

Haha, yes it looks it but I think it's down more to my crappy photography skills not metering it right! still, you can see the footwells though! It's not a very reflective dashboard in use I find. That said, in over head sunlight I do notice the smallest flat surface of the instrument 'hood' reflects in the windscreen so maybe buffing up that bit at least would be beneficial.

[Aerodynamica]

Cheers Russ - the colour is one of my favourite aspects - It looks equally good on this as the Xantia IMO.

Think the interior could do with a clean now as the driver's footwell has collected quite a lot of little stones etc, The Xm has only 2 more working days as a commuter car and then next week I start a new job with no driving to work! So the stress of problems with the car causing absence is over! Also nice to keep the mileage down.