Citroen C5 X7 2010 VTR+ 2.0HDI 163 RH driveshaft removal

[howardaskew]

I am having difficulty removing the RH driveshaft on our Citroen C5 X7 2010 VTR+ 2.0HDI 163.

The bearing was firmly jammed into the bearing support.
So I decided to remove the bearing support bracket.
This has been cunningly designed to make removal almost impossible.
There are 4 bolts holding the bracket to the engine. The top one has very difficult access and the lower middle (larger) bolt is not so obvious but that may be my eyesight.
The bracket would not move unless I levered it away from the engine as there are two pins to secure it in place. Once clear of these pins the bracket could move slightly.
So the shaft must be stuck in the gearbox.
That is the point of my post. How to remove?

I think I may have moved it slightly, but before I truly wallop it is there any retaining bolt or screw or clip?

I can't see any. I have loosened some bolts around the shaft at the gearbox.

Any ideas please?

[GiveMeABreak]

There's already a guide in the resources section for donating members:

viewtopic.php?p=694527#p694527

[howardaskew]

Marc,

Thank you for the prompt response.
Unfortunately that is if everything comes apart easily.
This car nothing seems to come apart easily.

The method I tried was based on a You Tube for a Peugeot 407



But unfortunately there are differences.
The water pump outlet is in the way.
Removal seems quite tricky. Is it a heatshield that prevents removal of the Water Pump outlet?

[GiveMeABreak]

Hi Howard, thanks for your Forum donation - any official part numbers you need, just put your request up in the main parts thread: viewtopic.php?t=69962.

As for the procedure, that's the official guide and it doesn't mention anything about the water pump outlet as having to be moved, but there may well be some differences between the models.

[howardaskew]

Marc,

Thank you for your response. This car is the later 2010+ model with 163HP. One of the reasons for this increased power is a Pre-catalytic convertor. This is like an expansion box and has heat shields that are very close to the water pump outlet at the back of the engine.
I did succeed in removing the driveshaft by cutting it in two with 115mm angle grinder with a 2.5mm thickness disc.
I rotated the driveshaft so the cut did not have to cut so deep. I used a face shield for protection. It was difficult to get the grinder in and out and my grinder is almost 40 years old so is a little heavier so I had someone on the plug top to unplug every time I needed to remove or stop or inspect.

The problem I now have is replacing the new RH wishbone. I have a part number that I would like to check my VIN is VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff] and the part no is NK5011950.
It does appear to be correct but there was a change with Steel Sub Frames.

[GiveMeABreak]

Different X7s have different subframes - it's not a design change it always was the way and depends on the specific engine as to whether they are steel or Aluminium. Some did change from certain build dates, and yours was just over the change date of 8th October 2009 when this engine changed to steel.

Wishbones:

That's not a valid PSA part number, so can't help you with that. The following are the correct parts for your X7:

(6) Front Wishbone:

Citroen Original Part Left, part: 9666244080, £462.54
Citroen Cheaper Part Left, part: 1682731680, £212.92

Citroen Original Part, Right, part: 9666243980, £469.94
Citroen Cheaper Part Right, part: 1682731380, £157.31

[howardaskew]

Marc,

Thank you for that. My part number is equivalent to 9666243980. They are certainly a diabolical job to fit on a car with Steel Springs. I threw away my scaffold pole when I acquired a 5 foot 3/4" torque wrench.
i think maybe that is how I changed the Left Hand side.

[GiveMeABreak]

The Wishbone removal and refit procedure is here in case you need it Howard

viewtopic.php?t=69234

[howardaskew]

I badly struggled with this one.
I fully reassembled the wishbone and left the driveshaft nut loose.
The French Revue manual suggested use of compression tools for the coil spring, but my compressors were not suitable. Not enough room.
I tried levers too.
But I got the drop link in for the bottom of the shock by fixing the wheel on and using the size to give the ability to get some purchase on the wheel to fit the drop link.
So all now fully assembled.
I have new driveshaft
New Drop Link
New Track Rod end
New Shock absorber
New shock absorber bearing.
I have also fitted new engine mounts.
So I am hoping for a better ride.
It has to be said that the KYB shock absorbers can only be removed with a special tool that they show in the You Tube video without telling you where to purchase or letting you see it clearly.
I grinded the old one off and fitted the new one with locking conventional nuts.

This is the KYB video

I was glad to get this one back together.

Thank you for all your assistance.