Xantia spare wheel cradle

[melkig]

Ok, has anyone any tips on unscrewing and releasing the spare wheel cradle on a Xantia when it appears that it's *never* been undone before?!

The thread of the bolt and the sleeve it sits in under the car is totally covered in rust. I've cleaned as much off as possible and used copious amounts of plusgas but to no avail. What I really need I guess is a way of putting a large amount of turning force on the release bolt but the design seems to specifically prevent this. Has anyone managed to improvise any other method of getting the required torque on the release bolt? Any pointers greatly accepted..

Cheers

[Xaccers]

Jenny had the same issue, in the end I had to resort to getting a replacement hook and bolt from a scrapped car, the hack sawing the old one off from underneath.
Made sure there was plenty of grease on the replacement when I fitted it.
If you need the spare wheel out right now, I'd hack the old on off, get the wheel out and use cable ties to keep it up until you can get a replacement hook and bolt.

[Xantianut]

Ay up!

You have two options.

1. Keep up with the plusgas.

2. Cut through the shaft with an angle grinder and obtain a replacement.

If you need access to the spare wheel, you may me able to release it with a jack placed immediately behind the spare tire but ahead of the clamp.

Good luck.....

[melkig]

Thanks for the replies; figured as much...!

Does anyone know if the bolt and hook is the same length as any other Citroen cars? There are plenty on ebay for xsaras (even boxer vans..) but no xantias at the moment. Looking at the listings , the setup looks identical but they just need to be the same length I guess
Thanks

[Xantianut]

Ay up!

They look about right to me but they have a different head. This explains the strange long bolt I just found in the boot of mine! I've only had the blithering car 6 years! Must clean it out.....

[carpysmith]

Had the same problem on my 1999 Xantia, i found a spanner that fitted snugly on the flats of the bolt head in my toolbox and gave it a heave with that (after a liberal dousing of the threads with penetrating oil) job done!!! spanner now lives in boot with wheel brace!!
Hope that helps!!
Regards
Steve (aka carpysmith)
1999 Xantia 2.0hdi (estate)

[RichardW]

I had success on seized Zx one by (carefully!) heating the clamp with a blowlamp (soldering mat to protect the tyre). You can turn the bolt with a 3/8" square drive - or i used a piece of I beam steel I had lying about with a pair of stilsons!

[messerschmitt owner]

just cut off one on an XM - found a replacement from a W plate xantia in the scrappy - liberally greased it with copper grease (it was already galvanised) and it works no problem - seeing as I got a puncture the week after I released the wheel cradle.