Xantia front caliper

[flygirl757]

Hi Guys and Gals. 1994 Xantia 1.9 TD
Boyfriend is quite handy and is about to change a front caliper on my beloved car. We've typed in caliper in the search engine and it appears the REAR Caliper bolts can be hard to get off but NO mention of the front caliper bolts. Are they easier to get off or should I get the elastoplast and TCP out? Also (don't know the technical name - lol), the bolt looks as though it need an Allen Key type thingy to loosen it. Anybody know the size we should buy. Any hints most appreciated. Thanks in advance. Always loved this Forum - really cool - and its kept my car on the road for the last 10 years. Michy

[CitroJim]

They're usually not too bad. Nowhere near as bad as the rears can be.

The trick with the fronts is to use a very high quality short T55 Torx bit, make sure the Torx bit of the bolt is clean and hammer the Torx bit in to make sure it is fully in and bottomed. Dirt in the bolt head can prevent the Torx bit going fully in and this can be fatal.

Then use a big breaker bar GENTLY on them.

Originally, they were Loctited in which can make them tight...

Hope that helps...

[addo]

I favour the impact driver. Bought one from this mob; never looked back.

http://www.uktools.com/product_info.php ... s_id=10189" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[flygirl757]

awww - thanks guys. We'll try your idea first, CitroJim as it seems the cheapest - lol - and then maybe move up to the impact driver. Michy

[Old-Guy]

Front calliper bolts can be either Torx T55, or 8mm hex socket-head. The latter seem to be less common.

Note there there are 3 sizes of front discs with correspondingly different pads and the descriptions in parts catalogues are often hopelessly vague.

There's a step-by-step guide here (Pads & Discs) that I wrote after doing the job the first time.

[Xantianut]

Ay up!

The breaker bar works. I did this wi' mine. Just make sure the car is properly supported because you may need to exert a lot of force.

[flygirl757]

WOW! even more replies. I hope you all realize you have kept this girl's Xantia on the road for the last 10 years - lol. Oh, better mention the boyfriend - he does the nasty dirty bits - lol. I'll keep you updated. Just LOVE your mantra, Xantianut - lol. Real giggle and probably so true. You have another mystery coming in the next few day - lolol. Thanks again, Michy (just where DID the name Xantia come from?)

[myglaren]

(just where DID the name Xantia come from?)

Just guesswork really as many say it is a computer-generated non-name but I like to think it is derived from Xanthippe, Socrates' wife, as previously Citroen liked to name their cars after Greek goddesses.

Pallas and Athena anyway. (Pallas Athene).

[reblack68]

I'm too tight/lazy to get the proper Torx bits so I've always used my Stilsons on the caliper bolts.