Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs

[CitroJim]

Those drain plugs sometimes have a slight 'D' section Matt, which does make a standard square a poor fit... Again a bit of grinding works wonders... That was an excellent bit of work to grind a perfectly accurate hexagon on the square I'm well impressed

As for quantity, I've drained the gearbox oil down into a clean graduated 2 litre jug and if I know it's fairly fresh and looks OK I've been known to re-use it... Main thing is to ensure absolute cleanliness.

Some may raise their eyes but in fairness, you are draining down only to swap a driveshaft and gearbox oil does not need to be changed that frequently. Obviously, if it's old or you don't know when nit was last changed then take the opportunity to treat the gearbox to some nice fresh stuff...

[MattBLancs]

I've used this adapter lots of times and normally it's a pretty good fit, perhaps as you say this plug perhaps is a little different. Should have actually paid attention to it's recess once removed, but here's it's "Hedgehog"

Magnetic 'hog

Gearbox oil wasn't completely grim, but will change regardless. I managed to pick up a 20 litre drum of fully synthetic 75W80 for an excellent cheap price, so I am not planning to reuse gearbox oil for the foreseeable! Plenty of changes before 20 litres is consumed

Wishbone replacement went ok, other than I did the rearmost bush's bolt last and it massively fights you to get the bolt aligned with the subframe!! Will do that one first on the other side.

Rusty old, alloy new

Interestingly, the new SKF driveshaft for passenger side has a nut which matches that taken off.
Not so much interesting, more "annoyingly" the other new driveshaft, also SKF, doesn't include a new nut.

I've decided to get my eBay driveshaft nuts on the go instead - again "self locking" but with huge integral free spinning washer.

Nuts, nuts glorious nuts!

Final image, the finished side:

New 'shaft and new 'bone

[CitroJim]

Good work Matt 20 litres of gearbox oil will see you good for years now! And scoring it at a good price too - result! I nearly fainted at the cost of it when I bought my last couple of litres of Total BV when I changed Bluebell's

[MattBLancs]

Good work Matt 20 litres of gearbox oil will see you good for years now! And scoring it at a good price too - result! I nearly fainted at the cost of it when I bought my last couple of litres of Total BV when I changed Bluebell's

Yes the branded stuff is quite dear even when only buying a couple of litres.

Mine is in the "never heard of it" range, brand is "Chemoil"

viewtopic.php?p=787116&hilit=Gearbox+oil#p787116

I'd forgotten how long ago it was, January!
And that it was cheap: £38 Inc delivery!

[mickthemaverick]

You sure did get a deal there Matt, your link to the oil shows a price of £241 + now!!

[MattBLancs]

You sure did get a deal there Matt, your link to the oil shows a price of £241 + now!!

Oh gosh, so it does!! There was quite a few choices around that price when I bought that, but all seems to have jumped up in cost at the moment.

This is cheapest 20 litre I can find, now:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370757184371
Thought at £79.99 it's still double what I found back then.

[MattBLancs]

Right hand side driveshaft nut is not coming off.

Currently considering:
500mm, 3/4" driver breaker bar, £13.25
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/375165009871

Plus:
36mm deep, impact, 3/4" drive socket, £9.75
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/266564039591

As possible increased level of violence to tackle this ultra tight driveshaft nut.

Other contenders:

Spoiler: show

Machine Mart, £36, 600mm breaker bar
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/040219620/

Halfords advance, 19", on trade card £19.99
https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-too ... 26444.html

[mickthemaverick]

Jack both wheels off the ground. Assuming it is standard thread place deep socket on nut with the end of the breaker bar on the ground in front of the wheel at 40 degrees to the ground. Start engine, first gear and dump clutch!! Reverse bar if it has a left hand thread and use reverse gear!

[CitroJim]

For ultra-tight Xantia hubnuts I have a 4 foot 1" breaker bar and matching socket... Never failed me yet...

I wonder if your biiiiiiig rattle gun would do the trick Mick? I reckon it would

That was an awesome deal on the oil Matt!!!

[mickthemaverick]

Yes I should think it would Jim, or sheer the shaft

[CitroJim]

or sheer the shaft

I could see that happening!

I saw on another social media site where somebody did similar and sheared off the end just at the end of the splines... He welded it back together...

Not sure I'd be too happy with that repair...

[Huskyxantia]

Oh, forgot to mention:

Grey 308 SW = MASSIVE "twang" type spring noises over heavy bumps since it's rear spring change, so something not right at all there.

Up in the air over the weekend hopefully and try and figure out what I've done wrong!?!

(But blue 308 SW driveshafts replacement is first on the list)

Ive had this my findings were springs settling , still check it . Keep your eyes on it . Mine still gives a little sound now and again soon as i hear it i check it once back on the drive all seems ok and mine were all done last November.
But being sort of french , could be something totaly differnt . One time a noise similair turned out to be my seat lol

[MattBLancs]

Yes, need to have a look, these are great big TWANGGGGG noises (like something is restraining then releasing the tension in the spring) only triggered by larger bumps.

Just need the drizzle to go away ideally!

[CitroJim]

That's worrying Matt.. Are these the ones that are wound with thinner diameter material?

[Huskyxantia]

Watch out for them china branded ones , markets flooded with cheap parts even Euro car parts have had problems