Latest purchase blog

[MikeT]

...having said that it passed, which I was not expecting! Even more oddly, the O/S lower arm I replaced a couple years back is now marked as advisory (as well as the N/S arm) of bushes deteriorated. Also added to the list are front brake pads and brake hoses. The "little excess travel" on handbrake is still noted but the "little travel" of rear suspension has disappeared.

[CitroJim]

An excellent result Mike. Congratulations

[MikeT]

I was expecting a steering component to be failed on the nearside due to a new low-note grumble I hear when cornering under load. But I'm baffled why a new (couple of years) O/S lower arm would become an advisory so soon. Are there other worn parts I should check/replace that can cause this sort of accelerated wear?

From memory, I seem to be going through droplinks, spheres and now lower arms at an alarming rate.... Considering I only cover ~6000 miles a year.

Additionally, the clutch gave me a horrid shuddering trying to reverse up a steep incline a few weeks back. It'll do similar going forward (and has done to a lesser extend since my ownership) under the right conditions though the juddering isn't so severe and can be mitigated by balancing the throttle and clutch in a certain way. I'm thinking rear engine mount but wouldn't that also be noted on the MOT?

The days of me crawling underneath to inspect everything are pretty much over (for health reasons), hence this seemingly lazy scattergun "ask the forum" strategy.

[MikeT]

Despite it mysteriously missing from the MOT advisories list this year, I can confirm the rear suspension does have little travel. I'm surprised because while driving I never noticed.

All four corner spheres had to be replaced a few years back (that was very noticeable while driving!) and if they're going to be failing this frequently, there's little point in me replacing them again. Ditto for the lower arms and droplinks etc.

I think it best I use the 13months MOT to find a replacement car and pass the xantia on to someone that has the ability and resources to make better use of it (probably as a donor/scrapper).

[CitroJim]

Spheres are virtually service items Mike and not expensive. Gosh, you could go and see Martin at Pleiades for a day trip and have him regas yours...

Else get a pair and pop up and see me one Wednesday afternoon...

[MikeT]

Spheres are virtually service items Mike and not expensive. Gosh, you could go and see Martin at Pleiades for a day trip and have him regas yours...

Else get a pair and pop up and see me one Wednesday afternoon...

Part of my dilema Jim is I had all four corner spheres replaced just under two years ago - less than 10,000miles.

I take that to indicate either they were rubbish spheres or something is causing accelerated wear. (Ditto for the droplinks and lower arm). If it's the former, I'd happily buy replacements but if it's the latter, what to do?

[CitroJim]

Droplinks yes, they can die as soon as you remove them from the packaging, especially cehapo ebay ones...

Spheres; why don't we pressure test them first before declaring them bad? They may bot be...

[Hell Razor5543]

I do not have the kit to test spheres, but when I got my 6 for Gracie last year the date shown on at least 2 was May 2014 (bought from AEP Direct).

[MikeT]

Spheres; why don't we pressure test them first before declaring them bad? They may bot be...

Cos I don't have access to a tester nor know of anyone within tolerable travelling distance to ask ?

[CitroJim]

Spheres; why don't we pressure test them first before declaring them bad? They may bot be...

Cos I don't have access to a tester nor know of anyone within tolerable travelling distance to ask ?

So, I'm intolerable then?

[MikeT]

Spheres; why don't we pressure test them first before declaring them bad? They may bot be...

Cos I don't have access to a tester nor know of anyone within tolerable travelling distance to ask ?

So, I'm intolerable then?

Well it's been a while since we've met face to face but I doubt you've changed that much

But no, It's distance that's intolerable, not the person. I suffer chronic pains when driving for prolonged periods (even if there's leg-stretching breaks, it still accumulates).

[Northern_Mike]

If someone will lend me a decent removal tool I'll have a run down and change your spheres for you Mike.. It'd give me something to do on one of my many free days..

Vorsprung berk Technik

[Hell Razor5543]

If someone will lend me a decent removal tool I'll have a run down and change your spheres for you Mike.. It'd give me something to do on one of my many free days..

Vorsprung berk Technik

You could borrow my 'Xac Special' if you want, Mike, as well as my 1KB lump hammer and cold chisel.

[Northern_Mike]

Your hammer doesn't have enough memory.

Vorsprung berk Technik

[Hell Razor5543]

No, it doesn't does it. How about the 1KG hammer? No memory, but it likes hitting things!