Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs

Tell us your ongoing tales and experiences with your French car here. Post pictures of your car here as well.
User avatar
Huskyxantia
(Donor 2025)
Posts: 3697
Joined: 30 Jul 2018, 22:11
x 845

Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs

Post by Huskyxantia »

MattBLancs wrote: 17 Aug 2026, 18:01 One of these bolts lives up high on the back of the engine, tucked up nice and warm with the turbo. The other down low front of the engine. Guess which is which ?
Image
(Not sure how long without an under tray)
Pretty sure this was crusty horns relation one hung low , hence the rusted one and a clean one , he's now retired from the Clacton strip scene
Husky. :? Thinking outside of the box is better than sitting in a dark one.
:-D
User avatar
Huskyxantia
(Donor 2025)
Posts: 3697
Joined: 30 Jul 2018, 22:11
x 845

Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs

Post by Huskyxantia »

MattBLancs wrote: 17 Aug 2026, 16:55 Or specifically, looking a lot less like this:
Image
Ive not seen one that bad , has the car been in flood water ? The clips are available on ebay its just getting the right size , I once drew around one on paper then did the measurements sent photo of clip , my drawing , with all measurements written down and the seller found it , it might of been one of the ebay links in your thread.
Husky. :? Thinking outside of the box is better than sitting in a dark one.
:-D
User avatar
mickthemaverick
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 20819
Joined: 11 May 2019, 17:56
x 8016

Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs

Post by mickthemaverick »

I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
User avatar
Huskyxantia
(Donor 2025)
Posts: 3697
Joined: 30 Jul 2018, 22:11
x 845

Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs

Post by Huskyxantia »

I'd say the 2nd link is the one
Husky. :? Thinking outside of the box is better than sitting in a dark one.
:-D
User avatar
MattBLancs
Donor 2024
Posts: 5207
Joined: 25 Apr 2022, 09:03
x 2276

Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs

Post by MattBLancs »

Huskyxantia wrote: 17 Aug 2026, 20:47
MattBLancs wrote: 17 Aug 2026, 16:55 Or specifically, looking a lot less like this:
Image
Ive not seen one that bad , has the car been in flood water ? The clips are available on ebay its just getting the right size , I once drew around one on paper then did the measurements sent photo of clip , my drawing , with all measurements written down and the seller found it , it might of been one of the ebay links in your thread.
Don't think / hope!! It's been in flood water, and Colne (where I bought the car from) isn't by the sea :rofl2:

I remember my blue 308 clutch clip was a bit rusty, but this is undoubtedly worse. I'll try and extract it tomorrow and take dimensions. Annoyingly this bit isn't part of the slave cylinder, effectively it's the end of the hose I think.
User avatar
MattBLancs
Donor 2024
Posts: 5207
Joined: 25 Apr 2022, 09:03
x 2276

Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs

Post by MattBLancs »

mickthemaverick wrote: 17 Aug 2026, 21:00 How about:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/205392845016 ... R8z4zpSCaA

OR:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/333607405041 = dimension pic on this one :-D
Thanks Mick, will have a measure in the daylight tomorrow :)
User avatar
MattBLancs
Donor 2024
Posts: 5207
Joined: 25 Apr 2022, 09:03
x 2276

Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs

Post by MattBLancs »

RichardW wrote: 15 Aug 2026, 18:43 Are you planning the drop the box, or leave it in and 'letterbox' it? Former requires the subframe extensions removing, which in turn needs the front bumper off to access the bolts for them (although if the arms have been done these will have been out to do them, so shouldn't be too bad. Latter requires that you drop the side of the subframe to make enough room to get the end of the box over the extensions - and the bolts like to seize in and spin the 'captive' nuts (which are only held in with a bit of plastic FFS!). Might be an unenviable choice....!
Just checking here's a quick image of first generation 308 underside:
Screenshot_20260817-212303.Google.png
These bits = sub frame extensions?

I recall them on the 2011 grey 308 but looking on the red 308 (2016) I don't think there is such a part, certainly not on this one (and no sign of it being removed / looking as though absent. Pictures tomorrow.

Above image from https://share.google/HtPMePOEvxuKvgGQx
User avatar
MattBLancs
Donor 2024
Posts: 5207
Joined: 25 Apr 2022, 09:03
x 2276

Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs

Post by MattBLancs »

Box and engine dropped a little, maybe forward a touch, then separate and box down and out, forward of the subframe (remaining in place) looks viable??

Engine and box together on engine hoist, held by gearbox lug. As box fixings loosened, engine then jack + piece of wood to support from below. That plastic sump puts the wind up me as to bear any load. May even go for foam block on wood on jack to ensure even distribution of the load as far as I can.

Upper engine mount top "link" off, but other mount in place, lower rear engine mount off, to give some capacity for movement.


About £60 gamble! (Plus oil everywhere and car not ready for my self imposed deadline= Friday) https://ebay.io/m/onBbul
User avatar
Huskyxantia
(Donor 2025)
Posts: 3697
Joined: 30 Jul 2018, 22:11
x 845

Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs

Post by Huskyxantia »

Excellent stuff its like being there aswell .
Husky. :? Thinking outside of the box is better than sitting in a dark one.
:-D
RichardW
Forum Treasurer
Posts: 12529
Joined: 07 Aug 2002, 17:12
x 1470

Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs

Post by RichardW »

Looks like the 308 does without the extensions / crash bars unlike the C4 Picasso and 3008 / 5008 - which saves you a job!

I expect you will need to rotate the box forward once free of the engine to get the diff out past the subframe.
Richard W
User avatar
MattBLancs
Donor 2024
Posts: 5207
Joined: 25 Apr 2022, 09:03
x 2276

Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs

Post by MattBLancs »

RichardW wrote: 17 Aug 2026, 22:31 Looks like the 308 does without the extensions / crash bars unlike the C4 Picasso and 3008 / 5008 - which saves you a job!
Woohoo! Will take the little wins whenever I get them! :)
I expect you will need to rotate the box forward once free of the engine to get the diff out past the subframe.
Yep, got you. Think you're right, it's a big lump out the back and the whole assembly would have to come well forward to clear without rotating.
User avatar
MattBLancs
Donor 2024
Posts: 5207
Joined: 25 Apr 2022, 09:03
x 2276

Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs

Post by MattBLancs »

CV boot kit, Eolys additive kit both showing as the to arrive today.

Hoping the current rain goes away shortly then I can crack on today. If box isn't out by lunchtime I'll be disappointed
User avatar
CitroJim
A very naughty boy
Posts: 54874
Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
x 8251

Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs

Post by CitroJim »

Fingers crossed Matt [-o<
MattBLancs wrote: Yesterday, 06:56 Hoping the current rain goes away shortly then I can crack on today.
Rain. What's that then?
Jim

A bit of a Citroen AX fan...
User avatar
mickthemaverick
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 20819
Joined: 11 May 2019, 17:56
x 8016

Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs

Post by mickthemaverick »

CitroJim wrote: Yesterday, 08:06 Fingers crossed Matt [-o<
MattBLancs wrote: Yesterday, 06:56 Hoping the current rain goes away shortly then I can crack on today.
Rain. What's that then?
I think it's something Kings and Queens do, .....................oh no, silly me, thats reign!! :sulk:
I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
User avatar
MattBLancs
Donor 2024
Posts: 5207
Joined: 25 Apr 2022, 09:03
x 2276

Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs

Post by MattBLancs »

A bit of rain yesterday evening, and more over night plus this morning. Just stopped in the last half hour and brightening up a bit now. Really chucked it down about 8 pm last night.

In other news:
viewtopic.php?p=874119#p874119
:)