Xantia 1.9TD clutch

[CGATCX25GTITURBO]

I've been to look at another Xantia but it needs a clutch. Its a pull type with an auto adjusting cable.

Its done a fair few miles but worth doing I think.

Are there any secrets- pitfalls to look for? Reading up on them (what I can find) a new cable will need fitting at the same time, as the rachet can't be reset, can it?

The roll pins can be a bugger and should be renewed, the nylon bearings replaced too. usual stuff like driveshaft seals ETC would be swapped.

How difficult is it to re engage the release bearing, is there a special technique?

any advice appreciated.

[Hell Razor5543]

The ratchet can be reset. I have done so;

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... utch+cable" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

However, if you do need to replace the cable get it from GSF. They charge about £20, while Citroen charge over £40.

[CGATCX25GTITURBO]

Thanks!

[flying clutchman]

Engaging the release bearing when refitting the box is not as difficult as you might expect. To remove the box you will have had to remove the clutch release arm. The pin is supposed to pull out easily but they are very often seized in. When you are ready to put the box back in make sure the bearing is up the right way. Valeo ones are marked 'bas' and 'haut' (bottom and top). If you are using LUK or similar they may not be marked, just make sure the slots are towards the front of the car. Use a small allen key or similar in the hole at the top of the shaft to point the clutch fork arms towards the clutch. As you push the gearbox in the arms should slip into the bearing. It's very easy to check if it's engaged properly. Tighten up just a couple of the bellhousing bolts (opposite ones!) so that the gearbox is up tight. Now using the aforementioned allen key in the hole on the top of the shaft you should be able to wiggle the shaft back and forth a tiny bit. (about 1mm each way) if it wiggles slightly you're in, if it's solid you're not, then you'll need to come back out again. It sounds more difficult than it is and fortunately the BE3/4 box isn't too heavy.

[Rhothgar]

How many is a fair few miles?

Obviously we're not talking about your one with 9000 miles on!

I have a Xantia S1 with 145k. Clutch already done. New discs and pads all round. Brand new Michelin tyres (though probably will put these onto the new S1), etc. etc.

I need one or two cars off the drive now as I've put the NEW S1 on the road.

[CGATCX25GTITURBO]

166k

all done now 6.5 hours from start to everything put away and me getting cleaned up. Did it slowly as it was the first one of these I have had to do.

Came apart okay, just pulled the hydraulics to a side once it was unbolted from the box and the pipe work-body work clips were undone.

Thanks for the advice.

[flying clutchman]

not a bad time at all, I normally reckoned (past tense cos I haven't done one for a few years now) about 4 hours so 6.5 is pretty good.

[CGATCX25GTITURBO]

Next one would be quicker (or may be not, I would hope to be a lot older before mine needs one) ... I cleaned a lot of stuff up, waxoyled a few bits n bobs while under it too.. that consumes a bit of time.

As I offered the box back up to the engine I felt /guided, the clutch fork into the bearing (just enough gap to get my hand-fingers in) before sliding the box home.I had lightly greased the fork and input shaft with Moly 60 (stuff for BMs and Goldwing splines ) and its as smooth as silk.

Thanks again for the pointers

[Stewart(oily)]

Well done, thats a new lease of life for your Xantia.

[CGATCX25GTITURBO]

Just a note on the cable, as long as it is fitted at the pedal end... the bellows-boot will push back-compress; without the need to open the box. This exposes enough cable to be dropped back in the arm and bracket. When it is all in place is when the rachet kicks in.. or it did in my case

I tried this on another cable off the car too. Push the nipple from the pedal end down the cable, then compress (slide it towards )the cable outer at the boot side of the adjuster hold it in place with cable ties, strong tape ETC and the cable moves freely again. I did this easier on the car.

[Hell Razor5543]

Well done on the cable. I did not know you could do that, which is why I suggest that it might be easier to do it off the car.

[falling-out-with-my-car]

166K? its just run in then
There are some of these engines about that have done upwards of 500K
but they do change the oil a lot more frequently.

My neighbour had a peugeot diesel and bought three cables from GSF all of which failed one after the other
the nipple on the end kept breaking off, he ended up buying one from the main stealers in the end
and as he said it was worth every penny.