C5 X7 Driving on 3 Wheels

[GiveMeABreak]

Most of us have heard / seen footage of the classic Citroen DS having a wheel changed without jacking the car up and driving on 3 wheels, but an X7? Have a look at this - although I wouldn't recommend it, this shows it can be done!

Ignore the nutter in the white coat - the interesting bits kick in from 0.51 in the video and make sure you watch through to the end..

[Sloppysod]

This is the first I knew about the possibility of diving on three Wheels

Not sure about the XM though!!

[GiveMeABreak]

I knew about the classics being able to do it, but was t sure about the C5s because of the different suspension front and rear setup. They also say to use the jack to raise the car off the floor in the high position when changing a wheel, rather than putting it on high, shoving the jack underneath and then lowering the suspension so the wheel hub lifts up making it easy to pull the wheel off.

[myglaren]

the x7 should be OK as it has the double wishbone suspension.
SAABs can run on three wheels too.

I did try the 'raise suspension, shove an axle stand under, lower suspension' trick on my C5 and it worked, then my axle stands went walkies, bought new ones that are 1cm too big to do that with

[elma]

The Xantia can definitely do it as well. I tried it on the old track when I had a scrapper. It's nerve racking driving along without a rear wheel, wouldn't recommend it if you are in a rush.

[myglaren]

There are some YouTube videos of Xantias on three wheels.

[GiveMeABreak]

That XM does look a little unsure in Robin Reliant mode Stu!

I think I will have to try the jack trick on the X7 if it looks like we'll be getting some snow this year. I have a set of Michelin 'Easy Grip' composites I bought for the X7 when I got her (after the ones for the MKII wouldn't fit) and have yet to christen them. It's a bit of a bu**er trying to fit these in the snow, stretching them over the wheel, then rolling the car forward and completing the fitting, driving a 100 yards and re-checking - whilst avoiding frostbite on the old didgeridoos!

Having the wheel raise itself should allow me to get the mesh over in one go evenly, then I would only have to check it had settled in after a few yards. Might give that ago just to see.

[myglaren]

I should go and fit my new wheel but as it is chucking it down it can wait. Bent one coming back from Little Horwood
If the axle stand trick would work on mine I might do it but don't fancy taking the angle grinder to the stands.
Dragging the trolley jack out there is too much like hard work.

[Sloppysod]

I did try the 'raise suspension, shove an axle stand under, lower suspension' trick on my C5 and it worked, then my axle stands went walkies, bought new ones that are 1cm too big to do that with

Yes, same problem, so now I drive the car onto wooden blocks (4" front & 2" back) then put the stands under, all four wheels up, easy to remove and no scrabbling around with a trolley jack!

[GiveMeABreak]

I did try the 'raise suspension, shove an axle stand under, lower suspension' trick on my C5 and it worked, then my axle stands went walkies, bought new ones that are 1cm too big to do that with

Yes, same problem, so now I drive the car onto wooden blocks (4" front & 2" back) then put the stands under, all four wheels up, easy to remove and no scrabbling around with a trolley jack!

That's a good idea, I'm tempted to get some of those - I don't do a lot of mechanical work anymore, but I wouldn't mid getting under the car to put some protection on the pipes and height corrector electrical plugs that never seem to be fully insulated.

[Sloppysod]

My next 'Job' is to get some hardwood or aluminium "sill protectors" to place between the flat part of the axle stand and the seam of the sill, instead of the MDF blocks I use now.

[Stickyfinger]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rubber-pad-wi ... 1216710441