XM rear sphere replacement - Need to know how!

wainy · Post by **wainy** » 10 Jul 2010, 00:12

Hi,

I've this week acquired an XM, not planned but couldn't resist. So Lexi's old Xantia Estate is now with a new home again. Served me well.......

Anyway, the one issue with the XM is that the rear spheres need doing pretty badly. I've bought them and plan to do them tomorrow. Any tips to make it as easy as possible? Could've sworn there was a how to guide on the forum somewhere that gave the order to do things in detail....... can't find it now though!

Thanks guys!

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 10 Jul 2010, 00:25

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... hp?t=24595

Same as a Xantia.

A black s2 16v eh? How could anyone resist!?
Check the strut tops, autobox fluid and the timing belt...

Andrew

www.club-xm.co.uk

wainy · Post by **wainy** » 10 Jul 2010, 00:38

Thanks for quick reply......... can't wait to drive it as it should be driven.

I must admit, I'm waiting for the catch with this car........ was just tooooo cheap. Can't be as lucky as I was with the Activa surely?

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 10 Jul 2010, 00:59

Certainly, there are some real Citroen bargains for those prepared to beat
a different path to the me too's. A LOT of good car for the money is always
guaranteed with a big Citroen - champagne motoring for beer money!

As far a catch - well as already mentioned, the autobox and strut tops will
be the Achilles' heel of an Xm mind so check them out to avoid disappointment.
Guess that'd be the same for the cambelt with all those valves to worry about!

Nice growing selection of interesting Citroens you have there. Enjoy!

Andrew

Post by **Peter.N.** » 10 Jul 2010, 10:10

Don't forget to change the centre rear sphere, this is the one that is primaraly responsible for the soft ride.

Peter

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 10 Jul 2010, 11:08

I dont recall seeing a black 16v for sale, where did you aquire that from?

Is it the autotrader one with the 16v badges?

The 16v is a much underrated car ...

wainy · Post by **wainy** » 10 Jul 2010, 20:16

Hi,

It is indeed the autotrader one. It is now without the 16v badges, the extra XM badges on the rear wings and the 3 (yes 3!) go faster stripes on each side. Whoever had it before obviously loved accessories cos there was another 16v badge badly stuck to the centre console and glue marks on each end and in the middle of the dashboard top where something's been mounted. It's back to original spec now though.... I'll upload pics when I get a chance.

As for the rest of the car, the box changes smoothly, the engine is strong and there's not even the merest hint of rust. One small dent in the front wing which is hardly noticeable. Every other panel is straight and paintwork has a really deep shine still. Windows and sunroof all work, aircon works after a fashion. So the fundamentals look OK..... Strut tops seem solid too. I've spent the day on it today and it really has come up a treat.

The story seems to be that the garage selling it went out of business and was taken over by someone a couple of months later, including the stock. The new guy was having a clear out of anything big and/or petrol to concentrate on small / diesel cars. Think this XM was up for £1,500 originally, I went to look when it came back on the market at £500. Hence he was interested in my car and desperate to get rid of the XM. So, no money changed hands and I'm the owner of a very straight XM with 12 month's MOT and 6 month's tax thrown in.......

Seeing as I paid £300 for Lexi's estate, guess that means this XM cost me £300????

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 10 Jul 2010, 20:50

Well I feel your Xm looked stunning before the eye got ambushed by all those
damned accessories - a job well done by the sounds of things! Nice car.

Andrew

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 10 Jul 2010, 22:04

Sounds like a good one, and a straight swap too! Can't be bad

I did think that it was an SX car, but obviously not if it has Aircon, must be a VSX with optional AC?

Is it manual or auto?

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 10 Jul 2010, 22:13

Chris:

wainy wrote:the box changes smoothly

wouldn't really apply to an auto - Ok, or not be such an issue on an manual car!

IIRC, the reason I didn't get excited about it when it dropped in price on
ebay and autotrader was the fact it was an auto. I fancy owning a 16v'er
as it's a good engine in the Xantia I have.

Andrew

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 10 Jul 2010, 22:16

http://www.club-xm.co.uk/forum/viewtopi ... 621&p=5682
http://www.club-xm.co.uk/forum/viewtopi ... 57&start=0

wainy · Post by **wainy** » 10 Jul 2010, 22:33

Just looked at the XM Forum link........Well, hope it doesn't blow up shortly! No sign at the moment.

I didn't think it had aircon either until after I'd bought it. It said it had it in the advert but thought they'd got it wrong. It actually seems to have an aftermarket aircon set up. I initially thought it had the gearbox with the snow setting until I hit the button with the snowflake on it

next to the gear selector to see what would happen and hey presto, cold(er) air on my face!

I know there's a risk to getting this car, but was my best chance of owning an XM, even if only for a while. Took a risk with the Activa too and it paid me back big time....... trouble free and (very) quick motoring for 18 months. It may have to go now though to buy a new auto gearbox in expectation of a big bang!

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 10 Jul 2010, 22:39

Ah yes, i did read that too.

Indeed the 2.0 16v is a very good unit, and quite a lively performer with a manual box.

Do you know what spec it is then? SX if it doesnt have electric rear windows.

The fact it has air con, weather optional or a aftermarket unit, is a real bonus.

As for the autobox, look after it, give it regual oil changes and filters and the gearbox should prove to be good. They are hit and miss, some go at low mileages but some last and last.

Good luck with it, it certainly sounds like a very nice car

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 10 Jul 2010, 22:52

That switch does sound like the autoadaptive gearbox one! For AC there'll be
a big chunky aircon compressor driven off the offside of the engine bay
somehow and a few other extra bits like the hoses, accumulator and the rad!!

Working sunroof too? I'm jealous.

Andrew

wainy · Post by **wainy** » 10 Jul 2010, 22:53

Just to clarify it IS an SX.

Confused me a bit that SX on a Xantia means aircon and elec rear windows, but not on an XM!

Just looked at the other XM forum link..... can confirm that it was very liberating to take those bl**dy badges off. They left a bit of a sticky mess, which came off fairly easily with a bit of Lynx body spray (my patent method! It really does work... they used it on the production lines where they make Lynx to remove stray sticky labels off the conveyor belts..... I know, I used to work there!), but no faded paint thank god. It actually had 4 stripes on each side come to think of it....... the double one on above the door handles, single one below and ANOTHER one that doesn't show on the photos along the sill just below the doors. Some people!

I'm a big fan of black for almost any mid size or big Citroen, think it always sets them off fantastically..... My GSA X1 is a very classy looking car in black (or was when it didn't have the front wings missing and holes in the floor!) Need to track down some old photos of it when it was in decent nick and scan them to see if you agree. Even now, C4, C5 and C6 look best in black.

Well that's my opinion anyway!