Rob Draper's White Si 2.0 Automatic J645BYA

[cxprestigeauto]

Many, many thanks.

Better get my tape measure out.

Rob

[Dean]

Not a problem.
The r clip may be solid with hydraulic pressure in the strut and weight on the wheels, I would of thought it is very difficult to move with the system loaded.

D

[ekjdm14]

Thanks for that measurement Dean, will check that against our 16v also when I get a moment. I'd hazard a guess that the length did change between 8v & 16v engines but might offer a clue to our dipstick's true origins

[cxprestigeauto]

Good point (embarrassed look).

Mind you the wheel was off and the hub waving in the air.

We will have to see what happens when I depressurise the system.

[cxprestigeauto]

AAAARRRGGHH.

OK, good bits: Depressurised the system but still had to loosen/remove most of the rear strut to get enough slack to find out what the problem was. Found the problem, leaking low pressure pipe. Repaired the pipe (see attached pictures) and managed to get everything (almost) back together.

Bad bits. Struggling (read failed) to get the gaiter over the knuckle end. At 22:35 gave up and came home very grumpy.

I wondered why the pipe had failed and then realised that it was my fault

As the photo shows there is a little 'bobble' on the pipe. I initially couldn't work out why this had appeared then I realised that when I was rushing to finish my mammoth degrease, pressure wash and rust kill a week ago I used a heat gun to dry around the suspension and I must have cooked the pipe without realising it inside the subframe. Doh!

I think the car needs a better owner.

Any advice on hooking the gaiter over the knuckle end much appreciated!

Obviously not tested my pipe repair yet............

IMG_0211.jpg

IMG_0215.jpg

Rob

[cxprestigeauto]

Hopefully now fixed
The knack for the gaiter was to grasp the end with needle nose pliers and pull it over the knuckle rather than trying to lever it over with screwdrivers.
Everything seems to be OK. Drove back home this evening and all seems to be good apart from the tick over which has suddenly gone up to 1400.
Will have a peer under the back tomorrow and hope for no green puddle!

[very tall brad]

Refreshed spare wheel carrier:

Pure porn. Why do pictures like this excite me even more than seeing pictures of Kate Winslet in an evening dress? Lovely job.

[cxprestigeauto]

Cheers Brad.

A satisfying job.

Unlike the sodding rear suspension that is still leaking. Not sure if it is my 'repair' or the gaiter.

Back over the pit.

Rob

[cxprestigeauto]

I can state that heat shrink does NOT WORK!

Leaking almost as bad as it was before

I assume this because obviously you cannot see anything!

Really hacked of with the whole thing now.

I need a new length of the clear (nylon?) pipe and probably a new rear gaiter. Any suggestions as to who supplies these now? I assume that no longer available from Citroen?

Doubt that I will have time to fix this before the Rally so have cut a large hole in the bonnet and plumbed a 5 litre can of LHM straight into the reservoir!!!

Rob

[citroenxm]

You might get some kind sole to have a go at x rally for you rob.. ive just dropped a whole subframe off a car to strip down.. do a favour.. check the R clip and see or even see if you can take the R clip out.. if you can then there is a fighting chance the whole strut can be taken off and looked at properly.. i can recover some clear pipeing and possibly bring another whole strut with a good boot on it. There must be a strut problem with ot leaking like it is.. i say this as i have a hole in my off side rear strut boot but currently nothing leaking out from it.. so i strut swap could be the next best thing.