Xantia MOT fail - your help needed please

[pete the bus]

My girlfriends 1.9TD SX Estate has just failed its MOT on the following:

1. Anti-roll bar(top) ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt.

2. Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault.

With the 1st one I have no idea where they mean. I've looked at the Haynes manual but it doesn't help. Anybody know? And is it a difficult job?

The 2nd one I guess its a sensor at fault?

Any advice, help, ideas, much appreciated.

Peter

[jgra1]

hmmm

Pete, I would guess the top of the drop link, has a split boot?

funnily enough I have a drop link delivered this am.. gsf, about £12 I think..

I will fit after work
ABS, almost certainly a sensor, there is a way of checking which one, by using a mulimeter at the ABS ecu in the engine bay.. back ones are a bit of a fiddle, fronts not so bad..
John

[pete the bus]

Thanks John.
I have just 'phoned the MOT garage and they confirm what you say - it is the top joint of the drop link.

[Timmo]

is deffo the the drop link boot, was a fail as of 1st jan, advisory prior too! mine failed on top one both sides,

[VertVega]

...
2. Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault.

ABS Fault diagnosis is simple. You need a multimeter to measure the resistance values
but first it would be good to read this thread ---> Xantia ABS Sensor.

[jgra1]

i just did my droplink!

3 mins and a 19mm socket, and a 19mm ratch spanner, and a jack.. !!
very happy!

[Timmo]

Your lucky! Mine were Goosed! Even with full car weight on them the ball joint spindles span round! And with a decent allen key they rounded out the insides! Hehe! Half an hour before I made a grinder out of my machine polisher!

[jgra1]

usually grind them off Timmo.. this one was so new though! no allen in it either.. maybe it was a cheapy

[pete the bus]

I have already ordered a new drop link from ebay. £5.38 inc. p&P ! (just re-checked - £5.25 actually!)
Should I follow the instructions in the Haynes BOL for removing the drop link, or is there another way?

As for the ABS problem, I have a multimeter, so will have a look over the weekend. If it turns out to be a faulty sensor, can anyone suggest a suitable replacement? Is it worth trying the scrappy for a 2nd hand one?

[Xaccers]

What make drop link though? There are cheap ones that last no time.

[pete the bus]

What make drop link though? There are cheap ones that last no time.

This one:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150504771682? ... 1497.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If it lasts 5,000 miles it will do her for another year!

[xantia_v6]

As for the ABS problem, I have a multimeter, so will have a look over the weekend. If it turns out to be a faulty sensor, can anyone suggest a suitable replacement? Is it worth trying the scrappy for a 2nd hand one?

There are several different sensors fitted according to manufacture date of the vehicle, some are eye-wateringly expensive.

GSF often have the best price, but check ebay once you know which sort you need.

A front sensor may be recyclable, but a rear sensor is not, because they corrode into their holder.

[Northern_Mike]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/280757195233? ... 97.c0.m619" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Got one of these, it seems to be decent quality. Chap stocks sensors for S2 cars as well. I have no affiliation with him.

[citronut]

the easyest way is firstly make sure the new one comes with new nuts,
then use an angle grinder with a cutting disc and slice straight down the centre of the swivle pin and nut, i find this is the quickest and easyest method,

but be carefull not the cut into the ARB or the braket on the strut,

regards malcolm

[Old-Guy]

In my experience, drop links either come off easily (soak the threads in lots of PlusGas, then a good scrub with a wire brush some hours later) or it's an angle-grinder job.

As for the ABS sensor, the usual suspect is the O/S/F - its the connection at the ABS ECU plug-'n-socket that corrodes - clean up thoroughly before thinking about changing an expensive sensor (which won't fix the problem anyway).