My Xantia HDi

red_dwarfers · Unread post by **red_dwarfers** » 06 Apr 2009, 08:07

Toby_HDi wrote: The rear brakes.....

We managed to get the pads out and then realised we needed to remove heatshield to get at the caliper union bolt to remove the caliper to replace the disc. On doing this one bolt on the offside stripped half its thread off and one sheared leaving half its stud in the mounting bracket. Tried to drill it out but it wasn't having it so we think it'll need to be retapped. This I shall leave to a garage I think. So now I am left with the heatshield held on with one bolt...it will not be driven til this is rectified so I think another trip to Trents is in order to grab them, so if anybody wants anything let me know and I'll try to get it. I know they have 2 MkI Estates in there at the moment.

At least you only had one hear off Toby, I had all three do it to me

I had a set of stud extractors and ended up breaking one of them

After a lot of Malcolms PERCY WHAT SIT I managed to get it out...
I found that I could drill the bolts out from the other side, so as soon as the sheared bolt 'cracked' it could be unscrewed. On the last one however, I ended up using a nut and bolt as I didn't have a tap/die set at the time.

MikeT · Unread post by **MikeT** » 06 Apr 2009, 11:14

Toby, you are too modest.

I arrived about an hour after Toby made a start which found him finishing off the handbrake cables fitment. New front discs and pads were also in place as were the new front brake hoses, leaving just the rears to do. As Toby says, the MOT tester needs to explain how the old hoses were hosed exactly as apart from the rough cut end done while removing, they looked in very good condition - perhaps they were ballooning in use? Anyway Toby, if you're looking for another place to get your MOT's done, try Chessing Tyres, Christchurch (though I think they've just changed their name to Kwik Fit).

Unfortunately his battery was far too weak to start the car and my booster pack made little difference so we fitted my spare battery and it fired up straight away. It was then that I noticed the fans were running half speed - not sure what's happening there but I suspect it may have been a contributor of his battery problem. We ignored it for the time being to get on with the rear discs.

I must take some if not all the blame for the sheared bolt as I misread the Haynes section by following the procedure for caliper removal which requires the supply pipes to be disconnected - whereas disc removal does not! It wasn't easy getting a purchase on the union nut so I suggested we removed the shields. Then the distractions began as one bolt sheared. Toby drilled out most of it but remnants refused to fall out. A quick trip back home to get some easy-outs but they didn't live up to their name

I think either a nut and bolt or a thread tap should sort it. I'm in total agreement with you on this, red-dwarfers.

We wasted too much time trying different methods to no avail so after discussing possible workarounds/bodges, we got on with replacing the discs and pads and bleeding the brakes (his LHM was very, very clean I must say).

The haynes book confused us both on how to set the handbrake cable but once all four tyres were back on, a test against engine power proved they were effective at least.

Getting back to the battery, the charging system was tested as ok, giving just over 14V and then the current drain was tested as being 20mV - 50mV. But as I refitted the terminal noticed the clamp wasn't tightening - closer inspection showed it had cracked completely in two. Hopefully, we have now identified the battery failure causes.

We were both tired and hungry at the end of this, with Toby getting leg cramps and me suffering neck muscle spasm said it was time to finish. Despite the setbacks, we both got some good experience under our belts now.

Toby_HDi · Unread post by **Toby_HDi** » 06 Apr 2009, 16:32

Well I did say I was going to get a garage to sort the pesky sheared bolt. However I have phoned them all round here and they all cannot fit me in for at least a week.

I did not get to Trents today for the bolts and I will probably just ask if anyone is breaking a Xantia on here that may have some spare ones (seems pointless going all the way to Poole just for some bolts) If not I need to find a place that can sort me a couple of new ones. Looking at Citroen Service I believe they are M6 x 16mm with a washer. I can't find the bucket that was in the garage full of nuts and bolts which may have been of use

I am not sure how I am going to sort the hole with the sheared bolt. I do not own a tap and die set nor would I know how to use it properly.

Toby_HDi · Unread post by **Toby_HDi** » 12 Apr 2009, 19:29

Update time...

With many thanks to MikeT, all is now sorted. The remainder of the bolt was drilled out and the hole retapped. The disc sheild is now on and the car driveable.

Since the steering rack gaiter was done the steering has been nice and smooth and has not firmed up like it used to occasionally. New grease in the gaiter is probably the thing to thank for that.

The brakes seem to be bedding nicely. Pulls up straight and with no squeals or drama. Going to book the MOT first thing Tuesday morning for as soon as possible.

Gave her a clean yesterday inside and a quick wash outside. Think I need some Gareth magic applied to it as there are a number of blemishes annoying me now.

Trip to Swindon after payday so thinking I shall fill up with some V-Power for the run.

On a non-Citroen note. I have grown to like the look of the 406 Coupe so much that I think I shall be buying one in a few months time. Will be going for the V6 of course

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 12 Apr 2009, 20:06

Ahh, really pleased to hear all is now sorted

Toby_HDi wrote: On a non-Citroen note. I have grown to like the look of the 406 Coupe so much that I think I shall be buying one in a few months time. Will be going for the V6 of course

A wise choice Toby

You know what my thoughts on the 406 Coupe are

Just take great heed of what I've been scribbling about the autobox and if on test, you hear it whining or not performing quite rightly, this is what you must do:

RUN AWAY

Toby_HDi · Unread post by **Toby_HDi** » 12 Apr 2009, 20:14

Fear not Jim

I'll be after a manual

rory_perrett · Unread post by **rory_perrett** » 13 Apr 2009, 22:23

Xantia failed its MOT on Thursday for both front brake hoses excessively deteriorated like Toby. Apart from this being the first time I’ve had a car fail a test for as long as I can remember – this is the first time I’ve come across this – perhaps it’s a new purge. I must say if you pull back the surface has a crazed look as you would expect it to if it was perished, but excessively deteriorated seems a bit harsh. Looked at the ones on the car I’m breaking for spares and while they are not as bad they are still a bit that way at the ends. New ones at GSP are only about £20 per pair so will fit new to keep Mr MOT Tester happy. If they last another 9 years they will probably out last the car.

Toby_HDi · Unread post by **Toby_HDi** » 13 Apr 2009, 22:29

Indeed Rory, not sure why mine failed though. They were absolutely fine on removal. I did fit new ones anyway.

What are you handbrake cables like? Me and Mike concurred that the MOT tester who did mine mistook the handbrake cables for the brake hoses as mine looked slightly worn. Obviously not realising the handbrake is on the front on the Xantia

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 13 Apr 2009, 22:37

Toby_HDi wrote: Me and Mike concurred that the MOT tester who did mine mistook the handbrake cables for the brake hoses as mine looked slightly worn. Obviously not realising the handbrake is on the front on the Xantia

He should have gone to Specsavers

It beggars belief really but then I suppose when gazing in with the wheel still in place, the error, if he is not fully au-fait with hydraulic Citroens, is understandable. Those MOT blokes do have to know a lot about a lot of cars and I guess he "does" very few Xantias these days.

rory_perrett · Unread post by **rory_perrett** » 14 Apr 2009, 09:36

Good point - hand brake cable outer covers are pretty ropey. And interesting, although its my usual garage it wasn't the usual tester. The owner, who knows me because I've been going there for years, is a really straight guy but he was off sick and the other tester was obviously pushed and not in a position to discuss things with me. Not that I have reason to question his opinion. I use that garage because I have always found them to be strict but fair and never trying to create work for themselves. In fact they are always very busy and I can remember once having an arguement with the owner because I asked them to change a track rod for me. Didn't have the time and it would have needed re-tracking afterwards anyway, but he was telling me (in the nicest possible way) I was quite capable of doing the job myself ad should just get on and do it.

We will have to see when I take it back this week.

ACTIVE8 · Unread post by **ACTIVE8** » 14 Apr 2009, 14:39

CitroJim wrote:
Toby_HDi wrote: Me and Mike concurred that the MOT tester who did mine mistook the handbrake cables for the brake hoses as mine looked slightly worn. Obviously not realising the handbrake is on the front on the Xantia
He should have gone to Specsavers

It beggars belief really but then I suppose when gazing in with the wheel still in place, the error, if he is not fully au-fait with hydraulic Citroens, is understandable. Those MOT blokes do have to know a lot about a lot of cars and I guess he "does" very few Xantias these days.

I know someone who had a test done on his Citroen, and the test station got the colour wrong, spelt the Citroen name wrong, and said the handbrake had no efficiency, so this owner was not to pleased with their test.

I agree with Citrojim about the handbrake issue it's something that the tester can not be aware of if they have not seen one for a while, or kept up to date with how vehicles are made.

To get the colour wrong, and the name wrong is not O.K. this was in the days when the whole certificate was written out, the colour and name should be more obvious than the cable, as they are there in plain sight, and not hidden.

So this tester should have also gone to Specsavers.

Xaccers · Unread post by **Xaccers** » 14 Apr 2009, 17:46

Best I heard about was my old driving instructor when he gave his 3 year old Micra to his daughter.
It failed the MoT because "only one reverse light was working"
Apparently the tester was a bit put out at having to issue a pass once it was pointed out that Micras only had one reverse light!

rory_perrett · Unread post by **rory_perrett** » 14 Apr 2009, 18:05

I thought reversing lights were not an MOT item. If on all the time it could fail or not showing red light to the rear. Might get an advisory if not working but shouldn't be a fail.

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 14 Apr 2009, 18:06

Interesting, the reverse light is not part of the MOT test ...

Citroens do seem to consufe a lot of MOT testers. When i took the Xm for its test a couple of weeks ago the MOT tester was looking for ages under the dash, both sides and even took his inspection light for a look. Thinking "oh no, what has he found? whats wrong with it?" I went over, he couldnt find the bonnet release

The handbrake was confusing the trainee mechanic too, couldnt understand why it wouldnt stay on

Unread post by **myglaren** » 14 Apr 2009, 19:39

Citroenmad wrote:Interesting, the reverse light is not part of the MOT test ...

Just as well as mine stopped working a year and a half ago