c16rkc's mad house
-
- Donor 2024
- Posts: 3618
- Joined: 25 Apr 2022, 09:03
- x 1729
Re: c16rkc's mad house
Worth a message to the supplier? If proactive they might check any others they have for the same defect - save others the same conundrum hopefully
And who knows, they might even offer some money off or similar as a thank you. Can but hope!
And who knows, they might even offer some money off or similar as a thank you. Can but hope!
-
- Donor 2023
- Posts: 357
- Joined: 31 Aug 2023, 12:38
- x 98
Re: c16rkc's mad house
Your comments all got me thinking, how odd to make such a change, and then I wondered if I had bought a genuine or pattern part.
I made the mistake of assuming it was a Genuine part, as I did not think the demand would be high enough for anyone to bother making pattern parts... but I was wrong!
This is what I bought:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185570691472
Came from Lichfield and was delivered in a few days, I assumed a British supplier... but... when you scroll down to the business address it's actually a Chinese company... most likely the same stuff I could have bough on Aliexpress...
So I had a look on Aliexpress, and I could have bought a pair for £100 less than I paid...
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006 ... xuPOusHspC
I can't beleive I didn't notice they were pattern parts
but hopefully they will still work the same
So... that probably explains why the recess is the wrong size on the part. But funny enough I'll tell then what I have found, you never know they may decide to supply a thicker washer to future customers
I made the mistake of assuming it was a Genuine part, as I did not think the demand would be high enough for anyone to bother making pattern parts... but I was wrong!
This is what I bought:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185570691472
Came from Lichfield and was delivered in a few days, I assumed a British supplier... but... when you scroll down to the business address it's actually a Chinese company... most likely the same stuff I could have bough on Aliexpress...

So I had a look on Aliexpress, and I could have bought a pair for £100 less than I paid...
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006 ... xuPOusHspC
I can't beleive I didn't notice they were pattern parts


So... that probably explains why the recess is the wrong size on the part. But funny enough I'll tell then what I have found, you never know they may decide to supply a thicker washer to future customers

-
- Donor 2024
- Posts: 3618
- Joined: 25 Apr 2022, 09:03
- x 1729
Re: c16rkc's mad house
I'd definitely message them, keen enough to offer 2 years warranty, so hopeful they offer good customer service.
Is that for a single strut? Loads of pictures of a pair of them and little to actually define what supplied (in fact "strut set" makes me more sure it was a pair??)
Is that for a single strut? Loads of pictures of a pair of them and little to actually define what supplied (in fact "strut set" makes me more sure it was a pair??)

-
- Donor 2023
- Posts: 357
- Joined: 31 Aug 2023, 12:38
- x 98
Re: c16rkc's mad house
It is for a pair - I paid just under £400 for both fronts. Seemed pretty reasonable as one Mercedes ABC strut (their version of the hydroactive) would be £1,500 from Aliexpress...
Citroen parts are pretty reasonable all things considered.

Citroen parts are pretty reasonable all things considered.
-
- Donor 2024
- Posts: 3618
- Joined: 25 Apr 2022, 09:03
- x 1729
Re: c16rkc's mad house
By Eck!
Imagine there's a Merc forum somewhere along the lines of
"Has anyone tried converting/replacing ABC struts with these Citroen hydractive things?"

Imagine there's a Merc forum somewhere along the lines of
"Has anyone tried converting/replacing ABC struts with these Citroen hydractive things?"

-
- Donor 2023
- Posts: 357
- Joined: 31 Aug 2023, 12:38
- x 98
Re: c16rkc's mad house
Getting a bearing on things...
So I have another problem now... drivers side front wheel bearing...
Can anyone tell me if these can be pressed out with one of these below kits?
Or do I need to let a pukka garage do it on one of their big hydraulic presses?
I only ask because no one seems to have posted anything about replacing these online, so I wonder it its a bit more tricky than a suspension bush?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184736658554 ... BM1tbkpYNj
So I have another problem now... drivers side front wheel bearing...

Can anyone tell me if these can be pressed out with one of these below kits?
Or do I need to let a pukka garage do it on one of their big hydraulic presses?
I only ask because no one seems to have posted anything about replacing these online, so I wonder it its a bit more tricky than a suspension bush?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184736658554 ... BM1tbkpYNj
-
- A very naughty boy
- Posts: 52130
- Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
- x 7017
Re: c16rkc's mad house
My experiece is that wheel bearings are very snug in their housings after a few years Chris and take quite a lot to evict them...
Many years ago I recall reading in the Pug 205 Haynes - press out the bearings using a vice and sockets complete with pictures making the job look a doddle..
I tried and found it was anything but. I borrowed time on a hydraulic press and they needed almost 10 tons of pressure to release them. As they released they went off with a huge bang with scared my mate, who was watching with interest, almost half to death - he ran out of the workshop and hid
I then bough my own little 10 ton press and it's been one of the most useful tools in my workshop. It's done hundreds of Xantia, XM, Saxo, 106 and AX bearings over the years and assisted in rebuilding a few gearboxes...
So, short answer is no, I'm sorry to say that kit is not likely to be a guaranteed success. I'd spend a bit more and buy a press, you'll never regret it, I promise.
Mine in use...
Many years ago I recall reading in the Pug 205 Haynes - press out the bearings using a vice and sockets complete with pictures making the job look a doddle..
I tried and found it was anything but. I borrowed time on a hydraulic press and they needed almost 10 tons of pressure to release them. As they released they went off with a huge bang with scared my mate, who was watching with interest, almost half to death - he ran out of the workshop and hid

I then bough my own little 10 ton press and it's been one of the most useful tools in my workshop. It's done hundreds of Xantia, XM, Saxo, 106 and AX bearings over the years and assisted in rebuilding a few gearboxes...
So, short answer is no, I'm sorry to say that kit is not likely to be a guaranteed success. I'd spend a bit more and buy a press, you'll never regret it, I promise.
Mine in use...
Jim
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
-
- Donor 2024
- Posts: 15470
- Joined: 11 May 2019, 17:56
- x 6623
Re: c16rkc's mad house
Bit of a spooky here, this just came to my attention having just read this thread. May be useful to you Chris as it's not too far away from you:
https://www.i-bidder.com/en-gb/auction- ... c800ebadce

https://www.i-bidder.com/en-gb/auction- ... c800ebadce
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!
-
- (Donor 2022)
- Posts: 480
- Joined: 28 Apr 2020, 02:18
- x 274
Re: c16rkc's mad house
No bids yet - you might get it for cheap! Will 10 ton be enough? Just enough, according to Jimmickthemaverick wrote: 29 Nov 2023, 12:15 Bit of a spooky here, this just came to my attention having just read this thread. May be useful to you Chris as it's not too far away from you:![]()
https://www.i-bidder.com/en-gb/auction- ... c800ebadce

-
- A very naughty boy
- Posts: 52130
- Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
- x 7017
Re: c16rkc's mad house
It could be a great buy! Yes, 10 Tons is normally enough but some need a little more... I've pushed mine so hard I've bent the bed and wrapped the pressure gauge needle around the end stop and bent it...Armidillo wrote: 29 Nov 2023, 12:17No bids yet - you might get it for cheap! Will 10 ton be enough? Just enough, according to Jimmickthemaverick wrote: 29 Nov 2023, 12:15 Bit of a spooky here, this just came to my attention having just read this thread. May be useful to you Chris as it's not too far away from you:![]()
https://www.i-bidder.com/en-gb/auction- ... c800ebadce.
Particularly well rusted XM wheel bearings tested mine to the limit but it did the job eventually... So in short, 10 tons will do, especially if got cheap enough

Jim
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
-
- Donor 2023
- Posts: 357
- Joined: 31 Aug 2023, 12:38
- x 98
Re: c16rkc's mad house
Thanks Jim - in that case on this occasion I'll let the garage do them.CitroJim wrote: 29 Nov 2023, 10:44 My experiece is that wheel bearings are very snug in their housings after a few years Chris and take quite a lot to evict them...
Many years ago I recall reading in the Pug 205 Haynes - press out the bearings using a vice and sockets complete with pictures making the job look a doddle..
I tried and found it was anything but. I borrowed time on a hydraulic press and they needed almost 10 tons of pressure to release them. As they released they went off with a huge bang with scared my mate, who was watching with interest, almost half to death - he ran out of the workshop and hid
I then bough my own little 10 ton press and it's been one of the most useful tools in my workshop. It's done hundreds of Xantia, XM, Saxo, 106 and AX bearings over the years and assisted in rebuilding a few gearboxes...
So, short answer is no, I'm sorry to say that kit is not likely to be a guaranteed success. I'd spend a bit more and buy a press, you'll never regret it, I promise.
Mine in use...
![]()
I keep saying that... and then doing the work myself anyway


I am not sure I want to invest in one of those just now, but maybe one day

-
- Donor 2023
- Posts: 357
- Joined: 31 Aug 2023, 12:38
- x 98
Re: c16rkc's mad house
Thank you!mickthemaverick wrote: 29 Nov 2023, 12:15 Bit of a spooky here, this just came to my attention having just read this thread. May be useful to you Chris as it's not too far away from you:![]()
https://www.i-bidder.com/en-gb/auction- ... c800ebadce
Wow that may end up being a bargain... what a find!!
-
- Donor 2024
- Posts: 3618
- Joined: 25 Apr 2022, 09:03
- x 1729
Re: c16rkc's mad house
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/134717964137?
Just a comparative, new cheap tat alternative, £146, claimed 20 Ton capacity.
Hope whoever did the calcs for the capacity was paid more than the translator!
Just a comparative, new cheap tat alternative, £146, claimed 20 Ton capacity.
Hope whoever did the calcs for the capacity was paid more than the translator!

-
- (Donor 2022)
- Posts: 480
- Joined: 28 Apr 2020, 02:18
- x 274
Re: c16rkc's mad house
Suspect other prospective buyers are thinkingc16rkc wrote: 29 Nov 2023, 13:52Thank you!mickthemaverick wrote: 29 Nov 2023, 12:15 Bit of a spooky here, this just came to my attention having just read this thread. May be useful to you Chris as it's not too far away from you:![]()
https://www.i-bidder.com/en-gb/auction- ... c800ebadce
Wow that may end up being a bargain... what a find!!
1) How will I get it home (how big is it, how heavy is it)?
2) Can I spare the space in the garage for something that big that realistically won't get used very often?
3) Is it happy with normal domestic power, or does it need something special (415V, 3 phase etc.)?
4) Is it safe, or could it kill me

-
- A very naughty boy
- Posts: 52130
- Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
- x 7017
Re: c16rkc's mad house
Indeed, good thoughts Alec. Even my little one is amazingly heavy...
Defined as 'The explosive result of trying to lift 20 tons with a little bottle jack' The figure is how far in mm the debris will fly...
TANGE - that's my new word of the dayMattBLancs wrote: 29 Nov 2023, 21:50 Hope whoever did the calcs for the capacity was paid more than the translator!![]()

Jim
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...