Activa - what wheels? And speedo problem

[whitecrook2]

Hi all

1.While I'm still trying to get a hold of a 4th activa alloy to complete my set, and with my journey to Wales next week for a holiday (yay!) I thought it may be possible to swap my steel wheels from my LX estate, which also happens to have some much better rubber on them at the moment.

Only problem is the activa has 205/60/15 all round and the boots on the lx are 2x 195/65/15 and 2x 185/65/15. Would I encounter any problems swapping them over? (in know the speedo would read incorrectly)



2. Other day went for a nice drive (45 miles) coming back about 5 miles in to journey doing about 70ish and the speedo went haywire , up, down, hovering, sat at zero, very fast movement - did this for a few miles, worked again at speeds of around 30-40 then decided not to work. Very similar to this post from the sound of it: http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... edo+xantia

Anyway checked out the transducer on the gearbox still looked in place, reckon that's the fix?

Also, interestingly, if you check my other thread on this car, you will know that the K-light was coming on when I boot it hard up through motorway speeds. Well since the speedo broke it doesn't do that any more Hurrah! It now sails right past 100-110 (estimated ) with no pauses for breath in the middle. Anyone know what speed 4K rpm in 5th gear is?

Once again thanks for reading..

[LeeDJC]

I'd be very wary of changing the wheels from your TD to the Activa. It *may* be OK if you drive "gingerley". Obviously no booting it round corners!! Some say that the Activa wheels are reinforced to cope with the extra lateral G's that the Activa produces, but there is no difinitive answer on this.

Your speedo problem sounds very much like the problem I had with mine. My speedo used to read nothing about 75% of the time, then would work for a bit and then start flicking around all over the place. Changing the transducer to a good second hand one sorted it with no problems. (About a 2 minute job).

Couldn't tell you want 4k in 5ht is, but it's def over 70!

Hope this helps

Lee

[whitecrook2]

thanks for that, how about the idea of changing only the tyres? That's about £64 to get 8 tyres swapped and balanced, versus about £60 per new tyre.

Bearing in mind I already have a steel on the right front anyway would it make a lot of difference?

Is there a definitive answer on the activa-wheel-strength? I may phone up Citroen to find out.


As for the speedo, I wiggled the wires and stuff around the transducer and sprayed the nuts with ptfe spray in preparation for removing the unit, and I just took it for a drive, no problems with speedo right up to 70mph .

Maybe it was just a weird thing to do with heat as it was pretty hot here yesterday, 26 degrees.

[LeeDJC]

I would think changing the tyres would be a better idea, but personally consult someone a bit more qualified than myself beforehand. Maybe the tyre place that you go to can offer some difinitive advice.

With regards to the transducer, it can sometimes occurr if there's a bad connection on the plug, so perhaps the spray has sorted that, even if only temporaraly (sp!)

[Homer]

the boots on the lx are 2x 195/65/15 and 2x 185/65/15.

I would not dream of mixing those on the LX never mind the Activa.

195/60 are the correct diameter match for 185/65, or 185/70 to match the 195/65

This is a handy tyre size calculator.

I have no idea what the ABS will think of the difference in speed between the two wheels and whichever way you mix them you'll affect the handling.

[whitecrook2]

Hmmm, I didn't realise that was actually different, I thought the only difference was the width of the tyre. (lol) Obviously it's the same tyre on each end of the axles, though.

I phoned up a couple of dealers and a specialist and they said they couldn't see any reason why I couldn't use the steel wheels on the activa, but I think I'll just sit tight until I can get a replacement alloy and then whack on a couple of new tyres.

I saw another ebay activa, but the wheels have gone on it.

[philhoward]

I was going to add that I had the same problem with the speedo..then clicked your link and found it was my post! A s/h sensor restored some sort of normality (couldn't get the right one quickly, so got one that was close).

[Homer]

Hmmm, I didn't realise that was actually different, I thought the only difference was the width of the tyre. (lol)

The profile (the 60 or 65 bit) is the sidewall height as a percentage of the tread width. So if you reduce the width you have to increase the profile percentage to compensate or else you change the overall diameter of the wheel.

As a direct replacement for all 4 wheels they are within limits but to replace just 2 is wrong, even if they are matched on an axle basis.

I suggest you do a bit of shopping around and get the right size tyres for the Activa, I found www.etyres.co.uk to be very good. I got Michelins for the 807 for the price of a set of budget tyres at my local place and they came to work and fitted them

[handyman]

Just to chuck in my two bobs worth, and I am sure many Activa owners have got the wrong tyres fitted to their cars, but, the original spec from Citroen was for a 'W' rated tyre which meant the tyre has a greater weight loading and consequently, THICKER side walls to deal with the greater cornering forces and lateral movement inflicted on the tyre's carcases.

I know of only two Activas fitted with these tyre ratings, and I own both of them. My last complete set of tyres were Pirelli P6000 and were WR rated, the cost fitted about £380.00 from my local tyre dealer.

I reckon fitting a lesser spec tyre or the wrong size is not just a false economy but also makes the car dangerous.

[Kowalski]

'W' is a speed rating not a load rating. The Activa has a top speed of 132mph, so 'H' rated tyres (130mph and the most common speed rating) are not good enough, you'll need V, W, Z or higher.

The discussion about whether the Activa has greater cornering forces than any other car has been done to death, it is only percentage points better than a non-Activa car not orders of magnitude, so it doesn't need special tyres, the cornering forces that the tyres experience are more down to the driver than the car.

[THELABMAN]

Can anyone tell me what the alloy wheels on an Activa actually look like or post a photo as I may have one if your still looking.

[THELABMAN]

It's ok I found a picture of a VSX on ebay and thats the alloy wheel I have...heres the link http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1996-CITROEN-XANT ... dZViewItem

[LeeDJC]

Those are different to the wheels which I have on mine.

The following pic (pinched from ebay) shows an Activa with the same wheels as mine (which I believe are the correct Activa wheels)



If you've got one of these, then I'd most definitely be interested in having it from you!

[Clogzz]

Looks like the Mk II wheel has a centre hole with cover:

[THELABMAN]

The wheel I've got looks a bit more like the MK2 one as it has a centre cap in and not solid like I've heard mentioned on here before thats what threw me and I asked the question, but if it's any use to you youre more than welcome to it, it's not in great shape will clean will well and is solid enough, just noticed though your in Cornwall im just outside Glasgow