GEEEE'z what an adventure!

[red_dwarfers]

And now the XM has gone too. A different local Citroen enthusiast friend collected it yesterday.

[CitroJim]

Pleased it's gone to a local enthusiast Kev

[red_dwarfers]

The 605 went in for its MOT a couple of weeks ago. Failed on fog lights (not sure how as they worked before the test and they worked afterwards...I suspect they didn't turn the lights on first) and the nearside steering rack gaiter.
The nearside gaiter is the one with the power steering ram stud, also the aftermarket stretchy gaiters are a poor fit as they are missing the rim which fits into the grooves on each side. Fortunately, the Peugeot dealer was able to get one in next day as the same gaiter is used right up to the 406. The problem is that they aren't half as stretchy as the aftermarket ones, they are however a bit thinner.

I was able to loosen the ram enough to get it off the stud and sit below.
Cleaned up the track rod, stud and bits with a wire brush and rag.
Popped a small piece of garden hose on the stud to protect the gaiter from damage.
Opened the bag the gaiter came it at the top and bottom.
Stuck the gaiter in a tub of boiling water for a few minutes to soften it.
Put the bag the gaiter came in over the track rod end.
Removed gaiter from water, quickly dried with rag.
Slipped gaiter over track rod end.
Moved gaiter and the inner bag sleeve up the track rod.
Put thumbs inside of gaiter and ridge by ridge forced the gaiter over the stud (You need to be feeling pretty strong)
Once that side of the gaiter was over the stud, pull the track rod towards the hub, use a pry bar inside the gaiter to persuade it over the other side. Moving the track rod and pry bar around it gradually slips over.
Cut out the old gaiter and remove the bag sleeve.

The gaiters didn't quite fit in the ridges due to all the stretching, they may well have shrunk back to shape but I put a cable tie over each end to keep the rim fitted in to the groove.
The gaiter was around £13 from Peugeot.

[red_dwarfers]

The C5 is doing really well. I'm thrilled with it. I've covered a good 7,000 miles since it was pressed in to daily driver duties in early February.

Back in late January, there was a slight delay between completing the clutch and using it as on the journey back home as the nearside calliper seized.
I let it cool down and drove it back to my parents.
It didn't seize on the way back to my parents but as I rely heavily on the car I decided to replace both callipers, discs and pads. It also meant I could just rip everything out and stick all new parts in which is much quicker to do.
I did buy handbrake cables and tubes but they are still sitting in the garage. I'm planning on fitting them over the bank holiday weekend if the weather is okay. They don't need doing but I'm sure it will only be a matter of time. I can't really afford the inconvenience.

[red_dwarfers]

I've decided to keep the 605. I'll have another think about selling it when the GSA has had it's floors welded in which won't be until at least the Winter now.
I'm not planning on using the 605 very much, I'll probably take it to the Bristol Classic Car Show in June and the GSA/Ami rally in August and the occasional blast around the countryside.

I have a few Xantia and XM bits and pieces that I would like to sell. I'll take some photos and put them in the for sale section at some point.
There's a set of Michelin Alpins on steel rims, new old stock XM quarter glass, XM subframes and some other bits and pieces.

[CitroJim]

Good to hear you're keeping the 605 Kev, it's a lovely and rare car - definitely a keeper if ever there was one

[red_dwarfers]

I altered my mind and decided to sell the 605. A chap has put down a deposit and will be collecting it next weekend. That leaves me with two cars, much more manageable!
Most of my spares which aren't GSA related have gone, a good chunk has been sold, passed to others or taken to the tip. The stuff that went to the tip was properly broken or things you'd probably want to buy new of anyway, I used to keep EVERYTHING as those were still useful for reference or for the odd little part.
I'm really glad I took the plunge and bought the XM, 605 and Xantias when I did. I've had lots of enjoyment out of them and made many long term friends over the last 10 years.
The GSA won't be going anywhere!

[red_dwarfers]

Also, I replaced the handbrake cables and guide tubes on the C5 a few weekends ago and filled them with grease. I am smitten with the C5. It's a really good Xantia replacement. I'm pleased I went for an estate too. I've lost count of the number of times I've needed the extra capacity since I've had it. I've also used the roof bars a few times.

[red_dwarfers]

The GSA ended up going a few months ago. I spent all of the winter welding it up with a friend but it was taking an unsustainable amount of time and money, neither could I see the end of the tunnel. We sorted the main chunk and now it's gone to another friend who is going to finish it off.

That just leaves the C5, I've a new job involving a long motorway commute each day so it fits the bill perfectly.
It gets treated very well and has only broken down the once.

[admiral51]

Good to hear you still have atleast one Citroen

[red_dwarfers]

The C5 is doing well, passed it's MOT a few days ago. This year I've changed the offside brake caliper again as the handbrake mechanism was getting a little sticky. I could feel the play in the handbrake lever.
Also replaced the offside track rod end and put a new set of tyres on it.
It gets a bit grumpy in the colder months, when it was 12 degrees a few days ago there was a few clouds of black smoke coming out the exhaust. Need to investigate that a bit more.

[myglaren]

Brake caliper replacement seems to be almost an annual event. Had lots of them on mine.

[red_dwarfers]

Quick update, currently have a Cactus 130 Flair. C5 has gone.
Just driven it up to Newcastle, currently having lunch with CitroenMad and we are talking about the forum!

[red_dwarfers]

I still have the Cactus. I don't use the car as much as I once did, instead preferring to use the train and bus where I can.

There have been a few topics of note with the Cactus:

• Replacement front doors due to rusty door bottoms. I thought this was something which only affected the series 1 Cactus however apparently not. A friend with a slightly newer Cactus than me has also had some door replacements.

• Replacement of the telematics unit battery - SOS light flashing.

• Internal drivers door handle stuck on deadlock. When trying to open the drivers door while inside the car, it didn't unlock.

• Drivers door open/close state switch not working - the car didn't detect the door opening and closing when getting in so automatically locked the doors.

[red_dwarfers]

Front doors rust

Both front doors have suffered from corrosion on the door bottoms. This was around the time the anti-perforation inspection was due so I had it booked in at the main dealer. Despite having shown them the photos of corrosion during the booking in process, nothing was picked up during the day it was left with them for the inspection, make of that what you will. The charge was waived and they apologised.

The replacement doors have a chunky bead of sealant along the bottom edge below the paint and the insides of the doors have a full covering of sticky anti-rust treatment. I don't have photos of the after to hand.

Here are some photos of the rust before.

Front passengers side

Front drivers side