Brigsy's Xantia tales.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 07 Mar 2009, 20:15

Excellent work Brigsy

There's nothing whatsoever to fear now with the aux belt and cambelt

The cambelt tensioner is what I'd describe as a semi-auto. Setting it is foolproof and there's no guesswork involved at all, unlike the TU (and later XU) eccentrics.

In fact, potentially the most difficult part of the job is cracking the crank pulley bolt loose. If it puts up a fight, use the starter - never fails 8)

Replace the waterpump. Funny things are waterpumps. They get jealous of a new cambelt and show their displeasure by failing two weeks later...

Brigsygtt · Unread post by **Brigsygtt** » 12 Mar 2009, 01:17

Well the old turbo-d has been going well touch wood. My n/s strut top still hasn't turned up though! On the plus side got myself a half decent sphere remover off ebay for a fiver

Unread post by **myglaren** » 12 Mar 2009, 08:27

Brigsygtt wrote:Well the old turbo-d has been going well touch wood. My n/s strut top still hasn't turned up though! On the plus side got myself a half decent sphere remover off ebay for a fiver

If that is OK and the vendor appears to be trustworthy then a link might be a help to other forum members Brigsy

Brigsygtt · Unread post by **Brigsygtt** » 12 Mar 2009, 12:03

The tool ive bought is used. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0317238317

They seem to pop up every now & again though. There's two of the ones that you can pop a 1/2" drive powerbar on there for £15 buy it now. http://shop.ebay.co.uk/merchant/dexy350

ACTIVE8 · Unread post by **ACTIVE8** » 12 Mar 2009, 12:45

Brigsygtt wrote:Well the old turbo-d has been going well touch wood. My n/s strut top still hasn't turned up though! On the plus side got myself a half decent sphere remover off ebay for a fiver

Looks well made!

How is the access on the vehicle?

Brigsygtt · Unread post by **Brigsygtt** » 12 Mar 2009, 12:56

When it turns up ill give it a whirl, need to change my anti sink sphere. I think a shorter bolt will help access

Just been on the phone about my n/s strut top, Should be here tomorrow. Another one has been sent out as the other one is lost in post

Brigsygtt · Unread post by **Brigsygtt** » 12 Mar 2009, 13:00

Ive just had a look at the ebay links for the new ones, a pic of it fitted on a front sphere. Got to be worth £15 delivered!

KP · Unread post by KP » 12 Mar 2009, 13:09

I have the exact same one!

Found it a doddle to use and helped with my fronts a while back, not tried the rears yet or accumulator or anti sink yet...

ACTIVE8 · Unread post by **ACTIVE8** » 12 Mar 2009, 13:19

Brigsygtt wrote:When it turns up ill give it a whirl, need to change my anti sink sphere. I think a shorter bolt will help access

Just been on the phone about my n/s strut top, Should be here tomorrow. Another one has been sent out as the other one is lost in post

Looks like Postman Pat owns an Xantia as well!

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 12 Mar 2009, 13:45

It'll be interesting to see how that tool copes with a rear hydractive sphere, the activa balancing sphere and a V6 Accumulator. These are not the most accessible spheres in the world and the angled handle on the Pleiades tool really helps getting at these. Also, the protruding bolt on the tool above may also get in the way on the hydractive and Activa balancing spheres.

Unread post by **admiral51** » 12 Mar 2009, 21:21

I have one of those tools and does a wonderfull job on "normal" spheres esp rears

Im sure ive seen that the seller also does one made up in a cradle that you can get a socket drive on something like a cyclists saftey helmet

EDIT this is the Acc Sphere Link

CitroJim wrote:It'll be interesting to see how that tool copes with a rear hydractive sphere.

I may soon be in a position to answer that

Colin

red_dwarfers · Unread post by **red_dwarfers** » 12 Mar 2009, 21:54

admiral51 wrote:
I may soon be in a position to answer that

Colin

Oh yes Colin?

Would it be hydractive center spheres you could test or Activa balancing spheres aswell

Unread post by **admiral51** » 12 Mar 2009, 21:58

red_dwarfers wrote:
Oh yes Colin?

Would it be hydractive center spheres you could test or Activa balancing spheres aswell

Only the center spheres im afraid

working my way towards an Activa slowly

Colin

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 12 Mar 2009, 22:07

admiral51 wrote: EDIT this is the Acc Sphere Link

Ahh ha, now that looks a very useful version Colin and would be great for the Activa Spheres, not to mention the V6 Accumulator, which, potentially, is the toughest of them all. When mine's all back together I'll take a picture and you'll see what I mean

So far, my Pleiades tool has never been defeated... Xac tells me it's not good for 1.9TD accumulators though....

Brigsygtt · Unread post by **Brigsygtt** » 12 Mar 2009, 22:26

The cradle sphere tool is on ebay for £15 delivered. the link is in one of my posts earlier

The geezer selling them is local to me, about ten mile away.