Citroen Garage in the Midlands

[markysimon]

I agree Chris - unfortunately it's the same with many other aftermarket suppliers - their databases are so bad for parts and I do wonder what the unnecessary costs are in returns and wasted time delaying the jobs as a result. Always best to get armed with the kosher part numbers first and then one can always compare with the myriad offerings from other suppliers.

Thanks guys, although I'm slightly uncertain about the exact versions of the front spheres my car should have. I'm 160 miles away from home at the moment so can't check the VIN or the exact build date, but will do so tomorrow when I'm back and both let you know and study the data you've kindly supplied.

Cheers – Mark W

[GiveMeABreak]

Mark - if you can PM or post your Reg number, I can obtain that info automatically.

[markysimon]

Mark - if you can PM or post your Reg number, I can obtain that info automatically.

Hi Marc – it's R********...

But I gave that info to AEP and whatever it was they checked it against, the 'wrong' front spheres turned up!

Cheers – Mark W

[GiveMeABreak]

No problem, leave it with me for a few minutes.

[GiveMeABreak]

Ok, I've replicated my previous table here and shown in RED within brackets are the Citroen Service data for your spheres according to the VIN. In the cases of the corner spheres they match, however there is some discrepancy on the Main Pressure Accumulator (1) and the Rear Suspension Regulator (5). I can't find a direct reference to the SC/MAC sphere as it has got lost in translation! I have fired off an email to Citroen concerning the data in my table and what Citroen Service says. I'll update once I have feedback.

Identification	Vehicle Type	Diagram Reference	Suspension Unit ID	Membrane: D: Desmopan U: Urepan M: Multi Layer	Volume (CC)	Pressure (Bars)	Damper (MM)
Main Pressure Accumulator	All Models	1	96145672	D Or U	450 (400)	62 (+5, -32)	Without
Suspension Spheres (Front)	Saloon Estate	2	962900048	M	450	40 (+5, -15)	0,7
Suspension Spheres (Rear)	Saloon Estate	3	96222871	D	400	30 (+5, -15)	0,6
Front Suspension Regulator	Saloon Estate	4	96281798	M	450	70 (+5, -25)	1,25
Rear Suspension Regulator	Saloon Estate	5	96238950	D	400	40 (+5, -15) (50)	1,25
SC/MAC Storage Battery (Anti Sink)	Saloon Estate	6	96198613	D	400	50 (+5, -15)	Without

[white exec]

Mark,
Could you put your 4-digit RP number (front LH door pillar, between the hinges) into your profile on Club-XM? It will save a bit of guesswork there later.
Thanks,
C.

[GiveMeABreak]

It's 07554 (15th July 1997) Chris.

[markysimon]

It's 07554 (15th July 1997) Chris.

Thanks again Chris and Marc, sorry for the late response but it's been a busy week (and more).

So I can now order the correct spheres but after reading the piece by Ian Cowper in the latest Citroenian I'm starting to despair of ever getting my car to behave like it's supposed to (and once did). It seems that as these cars age their complex systems 'de-harmonise' and just don't function properly together, and in my case this is exacerbated by not being able to find a mechanic who knows exactly how to diagnose and remedy the prevailing faults – meanwhile I just keep chucking money at people who clearly don't.

Cowper recommended Paul Swancutt in Bridport, who is even further away from me than Dave at Citroen Specialists in , so does anyone have any experience of him?

Cheers – Mark

[white exec]

" It seems that as these cars age . . . "

I think there's some truth in that, Mark, but nothing that can't be nailed by understanding how the complexities work, and pulling it all together. A good XM-era Citroen workshop will be able to do this, but finding one still with the expertise isn't easy. Mechanics and cars have moved on to newer models, and so the number of XMs and Xantias they see (let alone BX, CX) is a bit limited. One of my favourite southern-UK Citroen garages - SGG (prev. Shalford Green Garage) in Dunsfold, Surrey - now has just one mechanic (Tom) who knows 'the old stuff'.

That's where the Forums come in, and there's no shortage of XM know-how on these. Trouble is, geographical proximity isn't always kind, as you've found out. At least, though, if a Forum can help with the diagnosis, a half-decent workshop can be pointed in the right direction - or even reminded (tactfully) of how something ought to be done.

On the XM suspension, it only takes one misbahaving widget to turn a wonderful ride into a lumpy one, but if the fault can be identified, it's hugely rewarding, and tends to stay that way. Complicated it may be, but unreliable it isn't!

[markysimon]

Hello again Chris, Marc and Whoever Else might be interested...

<< On the XM suspension, it only takes one misbehaving widget to turn a wonderful ride into a lumpy one, but if the fault can be identified, it's hugely rewarding, and tends to stay that way. Complicated it may be, but unreliable it isn't! >>

Having had zero interest in selling my XM – possibly because I felt morally obliged to point out the poor ride quality – I'm now having to re-visit exactly that in the hope that curing it will make the car more attractive to possible buyers. AEG say that they now have the 'correct' front spheres for my model and build date, but this does NOT correspond with the ones listed in the chart Marc kindly supplied on Sept 23rd – 962900048.

I'm currently (still) waiting for AEG to get back to me to clarify what it is they've actually now got in stock. meantime the tax has run out!

More later, no doubt – Mark

[GiveMeABreak]

Hi Mark

It's no surprise that they don't correspond to be honest, but if you want further confirmation, I've just made available the manuals and the XM S2 is one of the mechanics handbooks that are on the list - so download a copy and check out page 268, where you can see the part number for the one I originally suggested that confirms these are correct - and this is the official Citroen handbook Mark:

Here's the link to the handbook, just click on the XM S2 year link and you can download the PDF.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=61218

[markysimon]

Hi Mark

It's no surprise that they don't correspond to be honest, but if you want further confirmation, I've just made available the manuals and the XM S2 is one of the mechanics handbooks that are on the list - so download a copy and check out page 268, where you can see the part number for the one I originally suggested that confirms these are correct - and this is the official Citroen handbook Mark:

Here's the link to the handbook, just click on the XM S2 year link and you can download the PDF.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=61218

Thanks Marc, that's much appreciated and I'll check it out tomorrow – hopefully before AEG get back to me... IF they do!

Mark

[markysimon]

AEG have now (finally) got back to me and said that the 40bar front spheres are indeed the correct ones, but I'm therefore no further forward on curing the harsh ride!

Cheers – Mark W

[Simple76]

Out of interest do you notice any difference when pressing sports switch .