Xantia clutch cable mods?

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alan s
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Xantia clutch cable mods?

Post by alan s »

Just seen an advert for a Xantia that is for sale. It's apparently a hire car/cab & as such has to be kept reliable which apparently it has been.
I have a feeling I've seen this car before advertised possibly even on this forum, however something that did take my eye was this statement in the ad
"A common design fault on Xantia diesels is premature failure of clutch pedal linkage to clutch cable. This linkage has been replaced on this car with an unbreakable all metal peugeot link, thereby eradicating this fault."
As I've heard a faie bit about this on various forums around the place, I thought I'd pass this on here as it may be of use to someone. If anyone here is aware of this mod, could they possibly post a part number to make things easier for those wanting to try it?
FYI...here is the advert for the Xantia for anyone interested...sounds cheap enough.
http://www.xantia.carenthusiasts.co.uk/
Alan S
Dave Burns
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Post by Dave Burns »

Hmmm...I'd like to know more about this, perhaps our man on the inside can root this info out for us, aye Jon <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
Dave
shaunthesheep
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Post by shaunthesheep »

alan,
that car looks like a good runner, might replace mine with that one.
whats the disavantages/advatages of diesal &
disavantages/avantages of petrol, which is what i'm currently running.
what problems sould i look out for on a car thats done 218k?
& what questions should i ask?
dom
alan s
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Post by alan s »

Dom,
I've only ever owned one diesel in my life which was an early Mazda. It's performance couldn't be compared with the kind of figures you see quoted for modern ones; mine was slow on take off but would cruise at a good speed all day. It was magic in traffic, didn't overheat and if the body hadn't rotted off it, there's no doubt it would still be running. Had done in excess of 500,000 klms untouched when I pensioned her off.
The reason I haven't owned another diesel is that they are so expensive over here. A second hand 10 year old Pug 405 would set you back anything up to $20,000 (no typo) and they didn't import the Cit diesels. There have been plenty og reports of mega mileage here, with one of the Mikes telling how he did about 760,000 miles in one before he parked it and 450 - 600,000 apparetntly not all that uncommon. BTW, he's a Taxi driver. This is why I feel this car is worth a look; any Taxi/PVH or whatever has to be maintained as it's a source of someones income and I feel that any properly maintained diesel will achieve the mileages some have quoted. I think the maintenance record is more important than the mileage covered. Also fuel consumption on diesels are usually much better than on petrol.
The main downside from a diesels point of view is they are usually filthy bloody things to work on (most diesel mechanics look like they are doing Al Jolsen impersonations) and can be a bit scarey if major work is required deep in the bowels of the engine, however, this is offset in your case due to the availability over there of second hand engines and if the car has served you well for a few hundred thousand miles, whose going to complain??
Alan S
nick
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Post by nick »

Sorry I've no info on the metal clutch clip, but that Xantia in the ad seems like one hell of a bargain <img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>
It looks a lot cleaner than mine, which is 3 years younger, half the mileage & has never been a taxi !
Nick
Andyman
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Post by Andyman »

I recently brought a Xantia 1.9D as an MOT failure, Clean inside and out 170,000 on the clock full service history sold as seen, £350.00
It had failed on broken Handbrake cable, rear wheel bearing, and rear load adjuster valve leaking Got valve from scrappy, Other bits new, And got me ticket, Then i treated it to a set of spheres (all 6)
But that Xantia with the pukka clutch linkage £375.00 ono Ahhhh i was done.
I changed a clutch on an old Peugeot 405D and changed the cable as a matter of course, The clutch linkage is the same s****y plastic set up, Except for this one, Yes it was metal, I too would like to know who makes them cos i'm sure that Citroen/Peugeot don't supply them.
Apparently the plastic linkage is designed to snap if the clutch diaphram gets heavey or cable decides bind, Thats So inventive of the French. Chris.
Jon

Post by Jon »

Funnily enough, I am aware of the modified metal clutch cable clip, and indeed know the company who makes them! I have ordered some samples from them, and will report back shortly with more details re price etc.
Jon Wood
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frankie
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Post by frankie »

I thought I saw a posting where someone had an all-metal special made up by this bunch http://www.sindenracing.com/spot-on_cables.htm
jmd
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Post by jmd »

What a wonderful idea having a metal clip,as far as I am concerned about 80K is the life of that infernal "plastic clip",I've been thinking about changing this clip in future as a matter of routine at say 60-70K.While on the subject, and for the benefit of anybody who has a very heavy clutch. Mine was very very heavy about 50K ago,and I sought the advice of the main dealer (from whom I bought the car) he advised that a new clutch be fitted,however I decided to fit a new cable instead, that solved my problem.Clutch still going well,and as light as a feather.
wingrattg
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Post by wingrattg »

I agree with JMD, would be nice to get the clip changed for a metal one. Have emailed Jon to see if he has found out anymore. The clutch was replaced when I bought the car nearly 2 years ago, got heavier since. Have replaced cable but am loosing confidence as getting heavier and worry about the clip....Will look to replace if Jon finds the answer.
adrianeaton
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Post by adrianeaton »

I had a new inner throttle cable made up by Spot-0n-Controls (they're based in Wokingham, Berks) using a ball and cup arrangement to replace the plastic clip. I've got a picture of it from the BX 16V Yahoo Group in case people have access, I've e-mailed a copy to Jon in case it's of interest (and in case he can post pictures too!).
The cost was about the same as a genuine Citroen cable but it's MUCH better quality cable (imported from the USA) and I've had no trouble since (it'd broken 3 cables in as many days!).
The parts are fairly simple, but getting hold of them can be tricky - it took me ages to find someone!
They used to have a web site but it no longer seems to work, but I've got the phone number at home. Is this the company you've been dealing with Jon?
Adrian
Jon

Post by Jon »

This is Adrian's BX 16v custom made throttle cable linkage:
<img src="http://www.andyspares.com/images/cable.jpg" border=0>
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tomsheppard
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Post by tomsheppard »

I have been following this thread with interest because either Citrophiles have weak legs or Citroens have congenitally heavy clutches. As a newcomer to the breed with a beautifully light clutch in the other (Spanish)car, it is difficult to know what the right feel is. Does this cable mod work on the BX? My clutch neither drags nor slips and all gears select as well as may be expected but the clutch does feel heavy. The ironmongery on the bellhousing was lubed well and the engagement became fractionally lighter. The operating lever that comes out of the bellhousing seems rather stiff in operation; with the linkage removed there seems to be movement but no free play as though the operating fork was working the release bearing on a tight shaft. Is it full of dust and could I do it some good with a judiciously sprayed lubricant/solvent, being aware that there is a clutch in there that I don't wish to get oily. Is the fork shaft binding in muck and therefore making matters worse? (That return spring on the end of the clutch operating arm seems to be unfit to spring a ballpoint pen) If I could lighten it up without pulling the gearbox apart- cor! that'd be a result! Any Ideas anybody?
Dave Burns
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Post by Dave Burns »

The pull type clutch as on the 19 td and the 2.0L petrol Xantias, aswell as the other 19 td's like the ZX, Xsara and the Peugeot's are noted for getting heavy in operation during later life, I'm not 100% sure if its the actual clutch (though I suspect it is) or something to do with the automatic cable adjuster, not to mention the strange way the cable operates.
The clutch on the BX is of the normal push type AFAIK, its common for these to wear out the release fingers on the diaphragm spring long before the friction disc has had it.
What happens when the fingers wear out is that the release bearing breaks off or bends the fingers and it gets pushed right through, the pedal then remains flat to the floor because with the fingers gone there is no spring to raise it again.
This actually happened to my '88 205 diesel a few years ago.
If you are suffering heavy operation with a push clutch I would change the cable first and see if that makes things better, it usually does.
Dave
alexx
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Post by alexx »

All clutches, push and pull type, are getting heavier in operation 'during life'. It's because of friction plate wearing. Diaphragm spring is a kind of spring with a 'degressive' characteristics. With the wearing of the plate, geometry of the diaphraghm changes, hence more force is needed to push the pedal.
I changed the clutch on my BX when a bought it. It was 8 years old, 85.000 km, and the clutch was heavy. Luckily I changed it, as bearing would break through the 'fingers' in a year or two max, as Dave reported. The cable wasn't changed, mechanic said it was almost in perfect shape. The clutch is fine since then (6 years and 80.000 km).
Alex
Edited by - alexx on 30 Jan 2003 15:09:09
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