With my Xantia, is it just me but...

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 24 May 2006, 20:12

the ONE THING that drives me apoplectic are it's stupid door lock buttons on the top of the doortrims!?

It seems to be total pot luck getting the inner 'carriage' that has the sprung peg and the serrated teeth to lign up and hold the metal rod that actuates the locking mechanism when fitting the main button. I've tried all permuatations and frankly am fed up with it - so fed up in fact that every time a mirror or door glass gets repaired I've taken to leaving them off.

'Great' but today in THE DRIVING HARD RAIN when the pin [sans button] popped up on unlocking everything it caught wrong and the door wouldn't unlock...

Guess I'll have to sort these all out, but is there a particular knack!?

Andrew

Mandrake · Post by **Mandrake** » 24 May 2006, 20:39

Yes they are a pain, and yes there is a "knack" to getting them on properly.

From what I can remember, the way I found worked best was to start off with the internal sliding tab down at the bottom end, and then using a screwdriver release it, and push it up until its *just* released from the catch at the bottom, then put it in position and give it a good shove.

How much you slide the tab up (and a bit of random luck) determines how far down the button is when the tab "locks". Sometimes it took me more than one attempt. If the button is badly worn and the locking tab is loose you'll have a lot of trouble fitting it, and it might pay to replace it.

To get them off again without damaging them I'd get a fairly large screwdriver, hold it upside down with the blade positioned in the curved section of the button, angling slightly towards the door, and give the handle of the screwdriver a good thump with the palm of my hand. Usually this would make the catch release without damaging it. (Trying to lever it out is a no-no)

Good luck, and if you can, get a couple of spare buttons, because by the time you've practiced and got "the knack" you'll probably find the catch on the button has worn out...

Regards,
Simon

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 24 May 2006, 22:32

Hi Simon, interesting!

It sounds like I'm doing the right thing, but still manage to make a total dog's breakfast of these. When I remember I'll have a fiddle with the door buttons in the breaker's the next time I'm there!

Citroen ALWAYS manage to produce one infernal item that manages to make ANY job just that bit of an extra fiddle/challenge!

I recon the design engineer comes up with the idea for everything and makes it work, but the design for production guy then adds sharp edges, non captive captive nuts and blind access points and so on, as he's really a frustrated stylist or something!!

Andrew

Mandrake · Post by **Mandrake** » 24 May 2006, 22:39

Hate to tell you, but the door button design is a Peugeot design, first used in Peugeots....

Also, I neglected one important part of the "trick" to fitting them - the door has to be *unlocked* and with the door *open* so that the rod can't move down into the locked position when you're pushing the button on.

If you get it right the button should be level with the top of the shroud in the unlocked position +/- 1mm. If it's not, try, try....... try again

Regards,
Simon

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 24 May 2006, 23:06

grrrrr!!

dont get me started on these//!

3 405's and a handful of Citroens plus some 205's and 309's !!

I hate fitting these

sorry no help at all but i feel better

John

ACTIVE8 · Post by **ACTIVE8** » 25 May 2006, 07:30

Well I have not had the need to attend to mine yet, and I am not looking forward to it now I have read this.

How do they manage to assemble this in the factory ?

If this is so fiddly, and difficult to assemble, then are they not making it more complex a job than it should be, therefore making it more costly in the initial build, and any subsequent repair !

f00lzz · Post by **f00lzz** » 25 May 2006, 07:41

I'll bet there are a few Ex PSA assembly workers who can do these in seconds.... anybody from around Coventry who can ask in the right areas??

8304 · Post by **8304** » 25 May 2006, 09:02

if you are having troubler with these and they are second hand it is more likely that the "teeth" that grip the rod coming out of the door are worn / broken......... have a look at them - if they look nakkered they wont grip the rod...

mezuk04 · Post by **mezuk04** » 25 May 2006, 11:50

I also have a good technique which I've perfected over time.

I tend to just grab hold of them and rip them off, thus realising Ive then knackered the little plastic thing and bending the rod and sometimes popping the rod out of place and getting really angry and then hitting the door cards.

Ive gone through so many and I would be tempted to stock up on them, but I break the ones at the scrappers

Truely an awful bit in my opinion.

To this day my 'now' mums Zx still has them looking half off

_kid_ · Post by **_kid_** » 01 Jul 2006, 00:51

ive had to refit the door lock and must say what an easy job it is.

The Haynes manual says:

1) Close the door and push the metal rod down into the lock position.

2) Put the plastic lock button tab on the lower position, mine was already on the lower position

3) Now push (firmly) the lock button onto the rod, and the tab will now lock into the high position.

Sure enough its easy, time taken 10seconds- beginner’s luck maybe? 8)

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 02 Jul 2006, 12:07

_kid_ wrote:Sure enough its easy, time taken 10seconds- beginner’s luck maybe? 8)

Hey now! Don't gloat - beginner's luck will be it! Do a few more in under 10 seconds too and I may be impressed!

Andrew

Adstar · Post by **Adstar** » 03 Jul 2006, 13:16

I'm from peugeot land, and I have had the pleasure of refitting all four door interiors.. and have tried locked unlocked open closed lower setting upper setting, poping the bottom of the door card and reaching up as best I could to hold the rod up... alsorts and nothign works!

The teeth are fine and the rods are straight. I have decided the only alternative is aftermarket fittings with a grub screw! Means they will be silver/aluminium in colour, but at least they wont fall off!