My first Activa

[Skull]

Cheers Jim

I had tried to prevent the chaffing with a plastic shield on the leg and a rubber inner-tube over the pipes but it's worn through next to my efforts

I've had a look on your front ram repair webpage but can't see your method to prevent chaffing ... still browsing .....

[CitroJim]

I've had a look on your front ram repair webpage but can't see your method to prevent chaffing ... still browsing .....

It's a bit tenuous Skull... It's more a guide to which pipe goes onto which port. Get it the wrong way round and chafing will result...

When refitting the ram, install the pipes in such a way that they feel they're in a natural position and there's no risk of chafing on full lock and at extremes of suspension movement. You may need to try several variations but knowing which lengths of pipes go to which port on the ram gives a starting point.

I trust that makes some sort of sense

[Skull]

Roger that Jim

Mine looks like the longer one is the culprit so hopefully Marc (GiveMeABreak) can get me some data

I was thinking some outer springs like some brake pipes have would stop the damage

[CitroJim]

I was thinking some outer springs like some brake pipes have would stop the damage

Now that's a good idea The only thing to be cautious of is that the protection spring does not then wear holes in the ram gaiter...

Holes in the gaiter that allow grit and dirt to get onto the ram piston will soon destroy it...

Years ago I had to reluctantly bin a front ram that had gaiter damage and a badly scored piston as a result

[Skull]

So I need

5270T1 total length 50.5 cm (longest) Citroen NFP

Searching .....

[Hell Razor5543]

I wonder if Pleiades could help?

[Skull]

Cheers Hell Razor5543 .....I think I've found one ....


https://www.usantluxe.com/index.php?mai ... _id=209703
[seems to be a dodgy seller website, delivered my item to someone in POTTSVILLE USA - paypal refunded today]

Luckily CitroJim has sent me a 2nd hand one that I will try to swap at the weekend ....

[Skull]

Well the new Ram pipe has failed to turn up (dodgy website) and the weather hasn't encouraged me much but I've finally managed to get both ends of the flexible pipe 'cracked off' but the union nut on the solid pipe still seems seized solid .... so will need persuading to rotate otherwise I can't replace the hose with the second-hand one I got off of CitroJim.

[CitroJim]

Here's hoping the union soon sees the error of its ways and cones free for you Skull

Heat, whilst being careful of fires - LHM burns well! - and well-fitting flare nut spanners with torque amplifying extensions will eventually do the trick...

Along with lots of soaking with Plus-Gas over several days...

This cold doesn't help though... Things always come apart a lot easier when the weather is warm...

[Skull]

Some progress Fair to say that wasn't going to undo with the Ram hose connected

Skull's Ram pipe sawn off

Removed hose which allowed access to the formed pipe flare, which allowed penetrating fluid in from that end and also allowed a deep socket or ring spanner to fit a bit more securely than a pipe flare spanner

Skull's Ram Pipe removed

Finally loosened off

Skull's Ram Union loose

The more observant amongst you may have noticed that I had to hold the pipe that hard that it has flattened the pipe slightly (even though I protected the pipe with an old rubber inner tube) so I will try to remove that with a g-clamp to allow the union to slide further down and the pipe to be cleaned up properly .....

(Video too large to load)

[CitroJim]

Excellent! Good work Skull

[Skull]

(SUSPENSION LEG GAITER also perishing)

Removed the lower strut leg from the hub, trying to disconnect as little as possible in the process. I'm now at the stage where the upper suspension strut should undo from the sphere unit but at the moment it's solid. I can't even rotate the upper strut with a long allen key, so I've made a 'bath' out of a rubber bung, around the seat to soak the head in plus gas overnight .....>>>

Skull's strut soaking >>>

[CitroJim]

It's certainly putting up a fight Skull

Did the big (24mm IIRC) nut undo OK?

If so, the trick is to put the nut back on most of the way and then strike it hard with a soft-faced heavy hammer to 'break' the taper holding the strut pushrod in the strut top... Don't strike the top of the pushrod directly or you'll deform the threads and you'll then never get the nut back on again - reason for putting the nut back on most of the way...

Sorry if I'm teaching you to suck eggs here...

[Skull]

Cheers Jim

27mm nut on mine, undone fine doesn't even look like it was thread-locked, yes I tried shocking with the nut slackened and even hammering a 5mm driver bit in the hex head, whilst wiggling the strut from underneath, just a bit strange that there is no rotation ....yet ..... see what tomorrow brings >>>

[CitroJim]

Cheers Jim

27mm nut on mine, undone fine doesn't even look like it was thread-locked, yes I tried shocking with the nut slackened and even hammering a 5mm driver bit in the hex head, whilst wiggling the strut from underneath, just a bit strange that there is no rotation ....yet ..... see what tomorrow brings >>>

I was only 3mm out Skull

Gosh, that IS putting up a fight

Fingers crossed all will be well after a good soak