Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs
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Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs
I had some massive cracks in a pair of rears on my AX. MoT tester didn't even comment. I was not happy and swapped them before the next MoT as one was slowly loosing air and I hate that...
They dated from so long ago I could not decypher the date code... They may even have been original but certainly dated from way before the car came back home to the UK in 1018.
I use Black Circles every time. They deliver to my local place at the end of the road and have been perfect on every occasion I've used them.
For the AX you have to order anyway as hardly any tyre places keep suitable tyres in stock these days...
They dated from so long ago I could not decypher the date code... They may even have been original but certainly dated from way before the car came back home to the UK in 1018.
I use Black Circles every time. They deliver to my local place at the end of the road and have been perfect on every occasion I've used them.
For the AX you have to order anyway as hardly any tyre places keep suitable tyres in stock these days...
Jim
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Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs
Have you tried Hamleys Jim?CitroJim wrote: 26 Nov 2023, 13:47
For the AX you have to order anyway as hardly any tyre places keep suitable tyres in stock these days...

I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
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Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs
As used by King Harald at the battle of Hebden Bridge?
As I get older I think a lot about the hereafter - I go into a room and then wonder what I'm here after.
Inside every old person is a young person wondering what the hell happened.
"Trying is the first step towards failure" ~ Homer J Simpson
Inside every old person is a young person wondering what the hell happened.
"Trying is the first step towards failure" ~ Homer J Simpson
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Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs
Sidewall cracking VS MOT tester, that's mostly what puts the wind up me - one guy's fail is another's advisory us another's didn't even mention.
Unfortunately I am off to a different tester (my normal chap has gone AWOL guess is on holiday) so be interesting to see what level of pedantry I've put myself in for. It's actually where I go for the BlackCircles supplied tyres to be fitted usually and they do a decent job of that (even if the infamous Centreless Wheels are getting new rubber, never had a balancing issue)
Unfortunately I am off to a different tester (my normal chap has gone AWOL guess is on holiday) so be interesting to see what level of pedantry I've put myself in for. It's actually where I go for the BlackCircles supplied tyres to be fitted usually and they do a decent job of that (even if the infamous Centreless Wheels are getting new rubber, never had a balancing issue)
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Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs
As detailed in the MOT inspection manual (along with other tyre related stuff I've not included here).
"When assessing cuts in a tyre, it is permissible to check whether a cut is deep enough to reach the ply or cord by using a blunt instrument to open the cut taking care not to cause further damage.
The following criteria should be used when assessing a cut in a tyre:
any ply or cord that can be seen without touching the tyre - fail
if by folding back rubber or opening a cut with a blunt instrument, so as not to cause further damage, exposed ply or cord can be seen irrespective of the size of the cut - fail
if a cut which is more than 25mm or 10% of the section width whichever is the greater, is opened with a blunt instrument and cords can be felt but not seen - fail
Before failing a cut, you must make sure it’s the cords that you can feel not a foreign object. If you’re not sure, then you should pass and advise.
When assessing lumps or bulges in a radial ply tyre, care should be taken to distinguish between normal undulations in the carcass, resulting from manufacturing, and lumps or bulges caused by structural deterioration."
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspect ... suspension
"When assessing cuts in a tyre, it is permissible to check whether a cut is deep enough to reach the ply or cord by using a blunt instrument to open the cut taking care not to cause further damage.
The following criteria should be used when assessing a cut in a tyre:
any ply or cord that can be seen without touching the tyre - fail
if by folding back rubber or opening a cut with a blunt instrument, so as not to cause further damage, exposed ply or cord can be seen irrespective of the size of the cut - fail
if a cut which is more than 25mm or 10% of the section width whichever is the greater, is opened with a blunt instrument and cords can be felt but not seen - fail
Before failing a cut, you must make sure it’s the cords that you can feel not a foreign object. If you’re not sure, then you should pass and advise.
When assessing lumps or bulges in a radial ply tyre, care should be taken to distinguish between normal undulations in the carcass, resulting from manufacturing, and lumps or bulges caused by structural deterioration."
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspect ... suspension
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Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs
Spot on, will see if any cords are visible shortly.
Must get that CV off, managed to get the bottom ball joint's taper to pop loose with a good tap or twenty from the 4LB hammer. The euphoria of that little win (and a rumbling belly) made it a good point to pause for dinner
Must get that CV off, managed to get the bottom ball joint's taper to pop loose with a good tap or twenty from the 4LB hammer. The euphoria of that little win (and a rumbling belly) made it a good point to pause for dinner

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Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs
mickthemaverick wrote: 26 Nov 2023, 13:51Have you tried Hamleys Jim?CitroJim wrote: 26 Nov 2023, 13:47
For the AX you have to order anyway as hardly any tyre places keep suitable tyres in stock these days...![]()

It's been about a bit has that car Paul


MattBLancs wrote: 26 Nov 2023, 14:10 Sidewall cracking VS MOT tester, that's mostly what puts the wind up me - one guy's fail is another's advisory us another's didn't even mention.
Indeed... All very subjective and the directive: 'If not sure, pass and advise' is so, so open to interpretation in so many ways...bobins wrote: 26 Nov 2023, 14:28 Before failing a cut, you must make sure it’s the cords that you can feel not a foreign object. If you’re not sure, then you should pass and advise.
Jim
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Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs
I was told by my MOT chap a few years ago that the ideal MOT tester is someone who knows little about cars but can follow the testing manual carefully !
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Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs
Ah, maybe that's is the grease escape route:
Strangely the clearly perished bit nearest the metal clip all seemed to be very intact and free from grease-
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Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs
Numberplate lamps seem pretty dim, I wonder why?
- Spoiler: show at least that should be an easy fix!
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Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs
David Attenborough will be around soon. I believe there's life there previously unknown to science...
Jim
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Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs
I once had that just before an MoT test, a little hole in the boot... On a Xantia as far as I recall... I stuck a bicycle patch on it and it passed fine...MattBLancs wrote: 26 Nov 2023, 15:15 Ah, maybe that's is the grease escape route:
Strangely the clearly perished bit nearest the metal clip all seemed to be very intact and free from grease
It didn't last as the grease soon dissolved the adhesive. I never intended it as a permanent job and changed the boot as soon as I could. It was just a stop-gap to meet a need.
Jim
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Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs
Not a bad stop gap Jim!
I often wonder how long those split boots, with a longitudinal seam stuck back together with super glue, last in practice. I've no direct experience but from what I've read it sounds like they are very short term fix at best.
I often wonder how long those split boots, with a longitudinal seam stuck back together with super glue, last in practice. I've no direct experience but from what I've read it sounds like they are very short term fix at best.
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Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs
Tried one once Matt.... It was a total and unmitigated disaster... It was a mystery to me - and still is - precisely what magic was needed to keep CV grease off the jointing surfaces whilst you valiantly tried and failed to get everything aligned...MattBLancs wrote: 26 Nov 2023, 18:27 I often wonder how long those split boots, with a longitudinal seam stuck back together with super glue, last in practice. I've no direct experience but from what I've read it sounds like they are very short term fix at best.

Maybe it was just me

Jim
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