Xantia Steering drumstick / Good independent in Chippenham?

[Stunned Monkey]

Hi All,

It's that dreaded time of year - MOT due at the beginning of Feb. Yesterday i replaced my roll bar drop links (I think I'm on my 7th or 8th set now) and took the opportunity to go over the front suspension as it's felt a bit squirrelly for some time - my n/s inner steering joint, aka drumstick, has play in it. Question: Available? How much of a chore to change? Any advice or useful links?

And..

We recently moved to the Chippenham area and I'd like to know if there're any recommended local Citroen specialists or good one-man-band type mechanics with Citroen experience?

Any help appreciated!

[artdjones]

Parts are available cheaply but a special tool will probably be needed(see link below).The more powerful Xantias(including HDi110) use a larger diameter trackrod(22mm v.18mm).Probably best to use a really good quality part not a cheapie,especially considering your droplink experiences.It might be best to just put on a good secondhand rack.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Laser-Track-R ... 255f817906

[RichardW]

I had this changed on mine last year at MOT time - it actually passed, but there was about 1/4" of play in it! I had tried a couple of times, concluded that the lower arm needed to come out to use the tools I had available, gave up, and was pleased to part with £50 for an hour's labour at the garage to get it fitted!

Info about it here: Inner track rod info

[addo]

They're not that tight, and the "oversleeve" style tool is good value if you're otherwise reasonably kitted up. I personally like the plastic gaiters since our climate keeps them flexible enough. Castor grease is the secret to getting them over the track rod ends.

[RichardW]

Addo - think you are confusing the rack gaiters with the track arms (with the inner ball joint). No need to go over the TRE, just remove it, then unscrew (ha ha!) the track arm, and away you go. The tool posted above will probably do it, but I've no idea how you get the cover off the joint in-situ to get it on.

[addo]

I'm not confusing things. UK prices on the gaiters are cheap enough; especially the rubbery aftermarket type. Just tear the old ones off. The stubby collared one can be carefully drifted on with a cut length of hardwood and modest tapping.

[RichardW]

But there's no need to go near the gaiter on the NS - the joint is screwed on outboard of the end of the gaiter....

[addo]

That's why I mentioned also the "stubby collared thing" for want of a better descritpiton - that rubber non-corrugated boot for the nearside inner balljoint.

[alka-seltzer]

Hi,

If you're in Chippenham, Wiltshire then Chippenham Motor Company on Bumpers Farm have been really helpful in getting a few small parts for me recently, and there's an indy called CPS (Citroen Peugeot Specialists) in Bradford-on-Avon.

I used to use CPS for all work when we had my Xantia and my girlfriend's 306 - funnily enough, it looks like I'll be paying them a visit in the near future!

Hope that helps.

Nick