An XM Post for a Change - STRUT Top Check

Unread post by **citroenxm** » 22 Jan 2011, 20:59

Hi All.. ( I shall repeat this on Club XM.com, when it comes back on, and Club-xm.co.uk)

Last year I aquired a 2.1 SEd Manual XM, which had what looked like poor strut tops.

This is a start to proove and show that strut top condition on the TOP is NOT important what so ever, and its the underside that needs checking...

My 2.1 has been sitting now for about 5 months, due to needing some small jobs which the winter weather has not allowed me to do.

Anyway, today while at the farm I started her up to run her, however then noticed the following:

Note the metal upper cone looks in good order - and it is in good order aswell...

However, look closer at the sphere! YES, its ON the fire wall lip...

So... looking under the cone best I got this view:

The rubber underneath HAS parted with the metal plate that sits UNDER the wing!

I WAS expecting this, but not while still fitted to the car, I knew due to the state of the under rubber... Theres strong evedance of the inner rubber parting from the outer cone. Ill demostrate this when I get the old tops off the car

Watch this space.

Cheers
Paul

Deanxm · Unread post by **Deanxm** » 22 Jan 2011, 21:06

Lucky escape there Paul

, i think those tops that have not rusted out are going to start suffering delamination or tearing of the rubber, which will be sudden and may well go un noticed untill they pop.
With strut head repair now possible all mine will have to be done, i dont know if you remember my XM strut tops from CXM but at 20 years old i dare not risk leaving them now, not over the price of a couple of tanks of fuel.

I will wait till John gets his batch then speak to him and see if he is happy with the process, if he is then they will be good enough for me and i will send mine off in the summer while the Activa is on the road.

Another bonnet saved by your sharp eyes though

D

citronut · Unread post by **citronut** » 22 Jan 2011, 21:11

i agree with your findings as this is a sinario i have antisipated all along,

but i have also seen XANT tops fail due to corosion of the rubberised metal cone just abve the inner wing, but under the cover cone, and with the under wing base plate inttact,

regards malcolm

Unread post by **citroenxm** » 22 Jan 2011, 21:12

Unfortunally NOT... the bonnet fitted to the car had already suffered a Strut top meeting on another car in which this car lost its original bonnet in a swap HOWEVER, I have got another perfect bonnet and passenger wing to go on when I get the tops sorted....

Paul

Deanxm · Unread post by **Deanxm** » 22 Jan 2011, 21:14

oh well at least you have spares, are you expecting a delivery from Johns batch too Paul?

D

Unread post by **citroenxm** » 22 Jan 2011, 21:15

Im hopeing Ill be able to buy a couple from John - most defenatly! Im not afraid to try a pair!

Better then the ones that are currently fitted....

Paul

Deanxm · Unread post by **Deanxm** » 22 Jan 2011, 21:16

we hope so!!!

D

xmexclusive · Unread post by **xmexclusive** » 23 Jan 2011, 18:51

Carrier delivered the 7 refurbished XM strut heads late this afternoon.
Happy with them so will now be looking to get some on active cars.

John

Unread post by **citroenxm** » 23 Jan 2011, 18:53

Hi John..

Need I say anything.....

Paul

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 23 Jan 2011, 18:57

xmexclusive wrote:Carrier delivered the 7 refurbished XM strut heads late this afternoon.
Happy with them so will now be looking to get some on active cars.

John

Brilliant!