Davie's Activa Clutch

[CitroJim]

I'm starting a clutch job on my Activa, sry if this has been covered somewhere this thread but is it necessary to drop the subframe to get the gearbox out?

In short, no. But as Armidillo says, do read all this thread as it contains a lot of useful information gleaned the hard way

Good luck! Any questions not answered above will be happily answered where possible

[Simonid20]

Hello all, and an especially big thanks to Citro Jim for his thread on this subject.
This is my first ever posting on any site, so please bear with me. I have been fixing DS's (mainly) for 50 plus years, but this Xantia has been a fabulous car for me for the last 11 and over 100k miles, and I plan to do at least another 100 with her!
I know its a while ago now, but I am having the same slave cylinder problem as Davie's Activa after the bearing pulled out of my 2001 hdi after only 249,00mls on its original clutch! I took the engine out to do the job as cam belt and a few other things needed seeing to. I am about to drill the hexagon pipe connector to bleed the slave but have seen Autodoc list several new replacement slave cylinders, with bleed nipples all supposedly correct for my car! Question is, can anyone tell me, if i drive out the pin that seems to hold the swivelling hex pipe union in, would it fit into the new cylinder? All the cylinders listed, have what looks like a similar female connector to the ones used on modern fuel lines.
Thanks, Simon

[CitroJim]

Hi Simon and welcome to the forum I feel for you and your problems...

It's definitely worth trying but I can confirm if you drive out the pin - if you can, as over time they almost weld them selves in place - its possible to separate the hexagon part from the slave cylinder.. If it will fit an Autodoc-sourced one I cannot confirm.

Another problem is the plastic hose that connects to the hexagonal part is rock hard and very hard to work with if you need to fashion a new joint or connection in it...

When trying to drive out the pin, do give the opposite side adequate support else you are likely to damage the socket in the slave cylinder. Best to protect it just in case you do need to re-use it.

Also, be aware the Autodoc-sourced cylinders may have a different length of pushrod. The length is highly critical for correct clutch operation.

Do let us know how you get on!

[xantia_v6]

It is possible that the Autodoc cylinders are for the late LHD Xantia system, which had a separate reservoir beside the LHM tank.

I don't know if any parts of that version are compatible with RHD cars

[Simonid20]

Hi Jim, thanks for such a fast reply.
I have now found a supplier of the same design cylinder as all the Autodoc ones, Partsbusters in Dagenham. This one is a febi bilstein. It has, like all the others, a clipped in bleed nipple assy in line with the body and the inlet at 90*. I am hoping that the 2 are interchangeable, but as my nylon pipe is not fixed onto the hex, i could possibly twist it to fit the intended inlet position, noting the cylinder can be fitted in 3 positions.
I wander how the air got in, maybe from the nylon not being tight enough? I will put a baby hose clip on it if it all works. I noted from Autodoc's pictures, the length of pushrod varies, my fork, with the new LUK clutch, same make and design as the old one, is a good 2" in from the bellhousing flange, so a lot further i than Davie's. I have used a fat drift and pry bar to operate the clutch several times, so can confirm the bearing is fully seated.
Thanks again, will keep you posted.
ps, just found your Eastment website, so are you are that guy from the ccc mag? I followed your writings with relish when I first got this car, it was the best section in the CCC mag ever! (other than Nigel's of course!).. must ask you one day to remind me of the size drill you used to convert a welded up bleed hole in CX front spheres

[CitroJim]

ps, just found your Eastment website, so are you are that guy from the ccc mag? I followed your writings with relish when I first got this car, it was the best section in the CCC mag ever! (other than Nigel's of course!).. must ask you one day to remind me of the size drill you used to convert a welded up bleed hole in CX front spheres

That's me Simon Although these days I write the CCC A to Z Column as I'm all AX nowadays... My last Activa departed when I retired five years ago now...

I still do a bit on Xantias as a browse of this forum will show Once smitten, forever bitten

Looking forward to your updates in due course