Confessions of a Citroholic

[mickthemaverick]

You will find circlip pliers are good for plucking unwanted hairs from hidden places!!

[CitroJim]

That's good news Richard I have a thread file in my kit and although rarely used, when needed it's a real lifesaver.

[Gibbo2286]

I decided that at 90 it was time to stop climbing under cars so I'm turning my workshop into a downstairs shower and toilet room.
You mention of thread files reminded me of two I have, also I have five of these with assorted thread types: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/375769721189 ... bbdbe364a2

Lots of stuff must go so if anyone's interest and can get to my place at GL15 6LE it's for free just need to clear the space.
Just dismantled my work bench, there's a very heavy vice to go

[RichardW]

That's an interesting selection of random items, Eric! Hope you manage to move some if it on. I think you are probably justified in retirement at 90

[CitroJim]

Yep, I concur that 90 is a reasonable age at which to retire

[RichardW]

Bunked off work early yesterday while it was a) dry and b) light and put it back together. No warning lights (it was earlier very cross when the ABS sensor was not present and I opened the door!), no untoward noises, no parts left over (well, only the broken ones!). Just need to check the rear pads then it can go off for MOT. Needs a tracking adjustment as well at some point. At work, and up at another office, chucking it down... remembered I had not tested the wipers after I had refitted them..... fortunately working OK!!

[CitroJim]

Excellent

[RichardW]

Me "I'll just tweak the tracking as the wheel is a bit off after the front end work. 5 mins job"

NS Track rod "Well, no, actually. I have been here 5 years and I'm quite happy, thank you very much!"

Some Plus Gas, heat and cleaning got the lock nut backed off a couple of turns. The track rod end? Er, not so fast! I just about got 2 flats on it (which was what I needed), but only with copious heat, and stilsons. There are some rough teeth marks on it now.... I probably need to have another go and get it properly freed off as otherwise come replacement time it will be a no go. More heat required!

[RichardW]

3008 has a new ticket - no further work required after the front end re-build. Advisory on rear brakes - I thought it was going to fail; pads seem a bit stuck, but there was enough performance to get a pass - plus front arm bushings (as there was last year), replacement arms may be required next year. Replacement brakes will def be required!

Odd find of the day is that whilst the bonnet is metallic, it is not magnetic - no idea what it is made of. Was checking that L plates would stick, but they won't - hard to believe that eldest will be 17 in a week or so! Have had to buy one that clips onto the number plate. Current insurer wouldn't let me add a learner, so got a stand along policy - not bad at £38 / month, covers up to test pass, and then 1st month at same price. Which is just as well, since their quote for him after test pass is £220. A month My insurance is due up at end of Feb, which I expect will be before we get to test, so I'm hoping I can find a policy that is not too dear for me, and will cover him at somewhat less than that! Otherwise, I will be in the market for a C1 / 107 / Aygo

[PaulC5]

The bonnet might be aluminium. We've had 2 C4s 2011 and 2015 where the paint bubbled and the warranty fixes were new bonnets paid for by Citroen. Apparently the metal was not prepared well enough for aluminium to be painted. I think our C5 may also have been aluminium.

[myglaren]

The bonnet might be aluminium. We've had 2 C4s 2011 and 2015 where the paint bubbled and the warranty fixes were new bonnets paid for by Citroen. Apparently the metal was not prepared well enough for aluminium to be painted. I think our C5 may also have been aluminium.

I'm sure the bonnets on my C5s were alooominuminum.

[RichardW]

Picasso has developed a rear vibration over the last few weeks - a quick look yesterday showed this:

Ah, that'll do it then! Bit annoying, it's still got 4mm left - not had that happen on a Michelin before.

In other news....Trampoline 1, No 2 Son's leg 0....

3008 doing great as a Driving School car; No 1 Son has really taken to it, and is coming on well.

[CitroJim]

In other news....Trampoline 1, No 2 Son's leg 0....

Oh ouch! May recovery be swift and good

[RichardW]

Cars are such divas! Got the new tyres on the Picasso Tuesday; at the hospital dropping Toby off Thurs morning and bing all the (speed sensor related) warning lights came on (whilst it was standing still!).... Diagbox points the finger at the OSR sensor - it's probably the common wiring fault; it was the other side I repaired a couple of years ago. Too cold / damp today, might have a look at it tomorrow if the weather is better. It might I suppose be the sensor since it came on when not moving as a permanent fault - which is pretty much what happened to the 3008 a few months ago when the sensor went down.

[RichardW]

Appears not to be the wiring - at least not that I can see, no obvious rot spots like there was last time. So I think the sensor has died - which more fits in with how it developed. I've had a go, but can't get the bolt out the sensor - I'm not sure I can even figure out what size it is as it's mostly a rusty blob. Turns out the garage has fitted the tyre on that side back to front, and also the brake backing plate has fallen off (which will account for the tinkly rattle I have been hearing). Looks to me like the bearing / hub unit (bolted in) needs to come out to replace that, and the ABS sensor is then easily accessible on the back of the bearing - I can't even get the wire off So off to the garage to get the tyre turned round and they can fit a new back plate and ABS sensor at the same time (I'm expecting a new hub unit also as I've no doubt it will protest about the removal!).