Life on the edge - the Diary of a C5

Tell us your ongoing tales and experiences with your French car here. Post pictures of your car here as well.
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Xantianut
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Re: The diary of a C5

Unread post by Xantianut »

Oh, and I get the pads next month. The caliper and arm are needed for my appointment with the MOT man on Thursday.....
C5 HDi 110 SX (Fifi 7 or Otterchops)

RIP
Citroen Xantia 1.8i LX (Fifi 6)
BX16TRS (x2) (Fifi 4 and 5)
BX19DTR (Fifi 2)
BX14E (x2) (Fifi 1 and 3)
Hell Razor5543
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Re: The diary of a C5

Unread post by Hell Razor5543 »

Otterchops, make sure Papa knows (if he is not already aware) to loosen off the cap for the LDS reservoir BEFORE lifting your front wheels clear of the ground. It is not something that Citroen widely published, but if the cap is left on it is possible for the pressure changes to damage the reservoir if wheels are suspended in the air.
James
ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
ex C5 2.2HDi VTX+

Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
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Xantianut
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Re: The diary of a C5

Unread post by Xantianut »

Hello, Unca James!!!!

I shall tell him, many thanks. It will be nice to go over bumps without a clunk from the front end again.....
C5 HDi 110 SX (Fifi 7 or Otterchops)

RIP
Citroen Xantia 1.8i LX (Fifi 6)
BX16TRS (x2) (Fifi 4 and 5)
BX19DTR (Fifi 2)
BX14E (x2) (Fifi 1 and 3)
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Xantianut
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Re: The diary of a C5 - PLEASE HELP!!!!!!

Unread post by Xantianut »

Hello, friends!

That was an interesting day. Papa has discovered that my handbrake problem was caused by some rust blocking the movement of the cable. Bit of plusgas, job done!

I wish I could say the same about my suspension arm! My arm has rusted solid around the balljoint! Papa swore, broke a balljoint separator, swore some more, whacked it with a big hammer, swore some more then put everything back together.

Previous Fifis were designed so Papa could use a jack under the balljoint nut to do this but my droplinks do not bolt to the suspension arms.

Please help me! Otherwise Papa could turn my grey paint blue with his language!!!!!
C5 HDi 110 SX (Fifi 7 or Otterchops)

RIP
Citroen Xantia 1.8i LX (Fifi 6)
BX16TRS (x2) (Fifi 4 and 5)
BX19DTR (Fifi 2)
BX14E (x2) (Fifi 1 and 3)
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Xantianut
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Re: The diary of a C5 - PLEASE HELP!!!!!!

Unread post by Xantianut »

Nearly forgot.

Papa was also unable to budge the ball joint on the track rod end.

Please save me from an even bigger hammer!!!!
C5 HDi 110 SX (Fifi 7 or Otterchops)

RIP
Citroen Xantia 1.8i LX (Fifi 6)
BX16TRS (x2) (Fifi 4 and 5)
BX19DTR (Fifi 2)
BX14E (x2) (Fifi 1 and 3)
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Xantianut
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Re: The diary of a C5 - PLEASE HELP!!!!!!

Unread post by Xantianut »

Oh, dear.

I hear screams.

I hope this means Papa has bit the bullet and bought my new handbrake cable. He'll get nice and oily fitting it!!!!
C5 HDi 110 SX (Fifi 7 or Otterchops)

RIP
Citroen Xantia 1.8i LX (Fifi 6)
BX16TRS (x2) (Fifi 4 and 5)
BX19DTR (Fifi 2)
BX14E (x2) (Fifi 1 and 3)
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myglaren
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Re: The diary of a C5 - PLEASE HELP!!!!!!

Unread post by myglaren »

Someone (Paul - CitroenXM IIRC) at the national mentioned a trick with them - cut them in two then when fitted bridge the cut with tight rubber tubing, saves a lot of hassle.
I had mine packed with grease prior to fitting too, to help minimise corrosion. There may be alternatives to resist corrosion though.
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Xantianut
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Re: The diary of a C5 - PLEASE HELP!!!!!!

Unread post by Xantianut »

Hello, MyGlaren!!!

Papa's idea is to fill the new tube with grease then draw the cable through and seal the end with another glob of grease.

He is searching the forum right now.....
C5 HDi 110 SX (Fifi 7 or Otterchops)

RIP
Citroen Xantia 1.8i LX (Fifi 6)
BX16TRS (x2) (Fifi 4 and 5)
BX19DTR (Fifi 2)
BX14E (x2) (Fifi 1 and 3)
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myglaren
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Re: The diary of a C5 - PLEASE HELP!!!!!!

Unread post by myglaren »

I was wondering if some of the Bilt-Hamber products might be better but couldn't remember the name at the time.
RichardW
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Re: The diary of a C5 - PLEASE HELP!!!!!!

Unread post by RichardW »

What sort of B-J splitter did you break? The scissor type are normally best - I find that winding them up and hammering them in a bit helps to break stubborn tapers. You can also take the hammer to the taper once the load is on. If you are not worried about the B-J then the application of some heat may help?
Richard W
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Xantianut
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Re: The diary of a C5 - PLEASE HELP!!!!!!

Unread post by Xantianut »

Hello, Uncle Richard.

It was a scissors type that Papa broke and he whacked it something wicked with his big, big hammer so looks like he will need to buy a ball joint and tool. Wasn't a cheap one either, Papa never buys cheap tools. His Papa taught him that and he has used some of my Grandpapa's tools on me, not just the hammer!!!

However, he has found out why my handbrake cable was stuck. It had frayed inside the casing so that's that then! My confinement begins until the postman brings the new cable. At least the cable isn't seized in the metal guide tube which lessens Papa's language somewhat!!!

Love

Otterchops
C5 HDi 110 SX (Fifi 7 or Otterchops)

RIP
Citroen Xantia 1.8i LX (Fifi 6)
BX16TRS (x2) (Fifi 4 and 5)
BX19DTR (Fifi 2)
BX14E (x2) (Fifi 1 and 3)
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Xantianut
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Joined: 07 Aug 2012, 19:50
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Re: The diary of a C5 - PLEASE HELP!!!!!!

Unread post by Xantianut »

Hello, friends

Papa has a Plan. I like a Plan.

Once my new handbrake cable arrives he will pack the tube with grease before feeding the new cable in. Interestingly, the cable has not seized in the metal guide tube but in the flexible bit at the end and he can see where the flexi tube broke at it's joint with the steel bit. This he will reinforce with some rubber tubing and also put plenty of grease in that area, just in case. Then he plans to do my other side to stop it seizing.

He may be an old fool with a hammer fetish but he does know how to make a Fifi feel good. And put right the designer's cockups. I ask you.....

Not as bad as some though, n our neighbours' Vauxhall needs a new cable every year. Looks like another job for Papa's grease gun!!!!

Love

Otterchops
C5 HDi 110 SX (Fifi 7 or Otterchops)

RIP
Citroen Xantia 1.8i LX (Fifi 6)
BX16TRS (x2) (Fifi 4 and 5)
BX19DTR (Fifi 2)
BX14E (x2) (Fifi 1 and 3)
Hell Razor5543
Donor 2023
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Re: The diary of a C5 - PLEASE HELP!!!!!!

Unread post by Hell Razor5543 »

I have heard of an independent Citroen specialist in my area who make up handbrake guide tubes from copper piping. That way the dreaded ferric oxide does not form and grab hold of the cabling bits.
James
ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
ex C5 2.2HDi VTX+

Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
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Xantianut
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Re: The diary of a C5 - PLEASE HELP!!!!!!

Unread post by Xantianut »

Hello, friends.

Good news. Papa has got the old inner cable out.

Bad news. The inner cable is bonded to the inside of the tube.

Even worse news. Papa has ordered the wrong &*@£ guide tube.
C5 HDi 110 SX (Fifi 7 or Otterchops)

RIP
Citroen Xantia 1.8i LX (Fifi 6)
BX16TRS (x2) (Fifi 4 and 5)
BX19DTR (Fifi 2)
BX14E (x2) (Fifi 1 and 3)
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Xantianut
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Joined: 07 Aug 2012, 19:50
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Re: The diary of a C5 - PLEASE HELP!!!!!!

Unread post by Xantianut »

Any up!

FIfi's Papa here.

Gonna have to bit the bullet and order a new RH tube rather than the LH one on my possession! I know, idiot or what?

So, any tips as to how to get the fecking things out? I see the pinch bolt in the wheelarch but how is it attached at the other end?

Good news is that the car should dampen my metronomic swearing to passers by........

If I remove the bolt under the wheelarch then replace the wheel, can the job be done on ramps until such time as the pinch bolt needs replacing? This way, I shall have a little more space. Not much.....
C5 HDi 110 SX (Fifi 7 or Otterchops)

RIP
Citroen Xantia 1.8i LX (Fifi 6)
BX16TRS (x2) (Fifi 4 and 5)
BX19DTR (Fifi 2)
BX14E (x2) (Fifi 1 and 3)