c16rkc's mad house

Tell us your ongoing tales and experiences with your French car here. Post pictures of your car here as well.
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c16rkc
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Re: c16rkc's mad house

Unread post by c16rkc »

MattBLancs wrote: 15 Oct 2023, 13:33Forgot to ask, did the track rod end refuse to undo/ rounded off? Or just a bit trigger happy with the grinder? :-D
It rounded off...

I hate the noisy/scary/death grinder, so I only use it if I have to....
Hell Razor5543
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Re: c16rkc's mad house

Unread post by Hell Razor5543 »

If you can get hold of the (they are difficult to find) the Aston Super Wrenches are very useful. I have been able to remove the nut from a drop link after I could not get it to move using what was available to me. I ended up separating the 'ball joint' from the body of the drop link, got a socket onto the nut and the Super Wrench onto the ball, and the nut then came undone.
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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myglaren
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Re: c16rkc's mad house

Unread post by myglaren »

An Aston Super Wrench, how apt.
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CitroJim
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Re: c16rkc's mad house

Unread post by CitroJim »

Loving reading your Blog Chris :D I have nothing useful to add except to say well done for what you've achieved so far... The difference between your usual weekend DIY'er and a skilled home mechanic is the latter know how to resolve things, often with lateral thinking, when it all goes a bit Pete Tong... You're definitely in the latter camp ;) :D

Chapeau!
Jim

Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Hell Razor5543
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Re: c16rkc's mad house

Unread post by Hell Razor5543 »

This is the large Aston Super Wrench. I saw footage (on QVC) where two were put onto a scaffolding pole, and then somebody did pullups using the wrenches, and they did not slip at all.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255126744988 ... p_homepage
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!
Armidillo
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Re: c16rkc's mad house

Unread post by Armidillo »

c16rkc wrote: 15 Oct 2023, 16:52
MattBLancs wrote: 15 Oct 2023, 13:33Forgot to ask, did the track rod end refuse to undo/ rounded off? Or just a bit trigger happy with the grinder? :-D
It rounded off...

I hate the noisy/scary/death grinder, so I only use it if I have to....
I admit I do tend to forget the problems you guys have with rust/corrosion - I am currently doing a similar job on a 28-year old Pug 605, and everything is coming undone easily!
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CitroJim
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Re: c16rkc's mad house

Unread post by CitroJim »

Armidillo wrote: 15 Oct 2023, 21:36
c16rkc wrote: 15 Oct 2023, 16:52
MattBLancs wrote: 15 Oct 2023, 13:33Forgot to ask, did the track rod end refuse to undo/ rounded off? Or just a bit trigger happy with the grinder? :-D
It rounded off...

I hate the noisy/scary/death grinder, so I only use it if I have to....
I admit I do tend to forget the problems you guys have with rust/corrosion - I am currently doing a similar job on a 28-year old Pug 605, and everything is coming undone easily!
We're not really jealous Alec :mrgreen:
Jim

Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
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c16rkc
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Re: c16rkc's mad house

Unread post by c16rkc »

With the rust I keep finding, I wonder if my car spent a lot of time by the seaside! :lol:
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c16rkc
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Re: c16rkc's mad house

Unread post by c16rkc »

Hell Razor5543 wrote: 15 Oct 2023, 16:58 If you can get hold of the (they are difficult to find) the Aston Super Wrenches are very useful. I have been able to remove the nut from a drop link after I could not get it to move using what was available to me. I ended up separating the 'ball joint' from the body of the drop link, got a socket onto the nut and the Super Wrench onto the ball, and the nut then came undone.
Thank you for that idea - I'll take a look and perhaps add one of these to the Armory! 8-)
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c16rkc
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Re: c16rkc's mad house

Unread post by c16rkc »

CitroJim wrote: 15 Oct 2023, 18:22 Loving reading your Blog Chris :D I have nothing useful to add except to say well done for what you've achieved so far... The difference between your usual weekend DIY'er and a skilled home mechanic is the latter know how to resolve things, often with lateral thinking, when it all goes a bit Pete Tong... You're definitely in the latter camp ;) :D

Chapeau!
Thank you Jim - you are very kind.

I'm certainly not a skilled mechanic though... back in 2019 the only thing I'd done from memory was change a set of brakes... and I think I messed that up too :lol:

Since then I have started to do the odd things, and it's ramped up these last couple of years; partially because garages seem to be so busy, unhelpful, and expensive these days, and partially because they don't seem to want to do the work on the sort of cars I own.

I am enjoying learning though!
Hell Razor5543
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Re: c16rkc's mad house

Unread post by Hell Razor5543 »

c16rkc wrote: 16 Oct 2023, 13:30
Hell Razor5543 wrote: 15 Oct 2023, 16:58 If you can get hold of the (they are difficult to find) the Aston Super Wrenches are very useful. I have been able to remove the nut from a drop link after I could not get it to move using what was available to me. I ended up separating the 'ball joint' from the body of the drop link, got a socket onto the nut and the Super Wrench onto the ball, and the nut then came undone.
Thank you for that idea - I'll take a look and perhaps add one of these to the Armory! 8-)
I have the standard set of 4 (I bought them for my Mum, but they were not suitable for her needs, so she gave them back), and although I don't need to use them often, when I do need them they are very useful. I have been able to undo things that other grips won't get a purchase on.
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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c16rkc
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Re: c16rkc's mad house

Unread post by c16rkc »

Oh finally... its going back together!

I am pleased to report that Sunday was a better day that Saturday, and we finally have what I consider progress.

What was most puzzling was that I could not find the nut and bolt that secure the arm to the new bush anywhere... I suspect two little toads may have taken it... :lol: but we shall possibly never know!

So thanks to the parts page on this very forum, I have ordered a pair of bolts (Citroen part 9683866580), and a pair of nuts (Citroen part 693665), as it cannot hurt to renew both sides.

With the strut de-pressurised I managed to wrestle the bush in line with the new arm... and I put something in there to hold it while I waited for my new bolts!
20231015_122001.jpg
I fastened the new arm at the base, and I am pleased to say cleaning up the thread must have worked, as it went in like a dream!
20231015_122031.jpg
The center bolt also went in with no trouble.
20231015_122038.jpg
So my next issue was those troublesome brake disk bolts, which had rusted away, and had to be drilled out.
20231015_122045.jpg
But they were going no-where, and I quickly realised I'd never get the original holes back in the correct places. Drilling out and trying to release did not go well.
20231015_141512.jpg
So I hatched a different plan.... Drill new holes, and tap them! I got this mostly done, and then realised my taps were rather rubbish (Ebay no-name special bought years ago), so I have ordered some better quality ones.
20231015_144635.jpg
I popped the CV boot back on.
20231015_144628.jpg
SO now I am just waiting for the Tie rod ends, the new 6mm taps, and the stainless steel brake disk screws. Then I can get this all back together and drive the car!

Obviously I'll need to do the other tie rod pretty sharpish, then have the tracking done.
Hell Razor5543
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Re: c16rkc's mad house

Unread post by Hell Razor5543 »

If you haven't already got some, a useful fluid to keep in a garage is Plus Gas. It is described as 'Dismantling Fluid', and that is a good description. If you have to take something apart that may have seized nuts/bolts spray some Plus Gas onto them every day for a week (to allow it to properly soak in), and then things should come apart easily. I had to bleed the brakes on a Xantia, and the bleed nipples did not look great, so I does them with the Plus Gas. When I came to undo them it was as though they had only just been fitted, they came undone that nicely.
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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MattBLancs
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Re: c16rkc's mad house

Unread post by MattBLancs »

Just a note:

Those retaining screws are not essential, they keep the disk in place until the five wheel bolts are in place. Without them it can be annoying reinstating the wheel (if put wheel on the hub's spigot then turn to align with the bolt holes you can have the disk misaligned with the hub - rather puzzling till you figure out what is going on!!)

Just saying as drilling and tapping new holes could wait for another day, should not hold up getting the car on the road again :)
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c16rkc
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Re: c16rkc's mad house

Unread post by c16rkc »

Hell Razor5543 wrote: 16 Oct 2023, 13:51 If you haven't already got some, a useful fluid to keep in a garage is Plus Gas. It is described as 'Dismantling Fluid', and that is a good description. If you have to take something apart that may have seized nuts/bolts spray some Plus Gas onto them every day for a week (to allow it to properly soak in), and then things should come apart easily. I had to bleed the brakes on a Xantia, and the bleed nipples did not look great, so I does them with the Plus Gas. When I came to undo them it was as though they had only just been fitted, they came undone that nicely.
Thanks - and yes I use a lot of plus gas... but I confess none of this had time to soak.

Next time I'll let everything soak for at least a few days; it will be worth it if it avoids me replacing nearly everything I touch :lol: