BX Club Forum

I agree Phil. You were right to clarify the citerobics part, worth doing once in a while although I often don't.

I used to use Dennis when I lived in Essex. Does he still wonder of with the spheres somewhere round the back, then you hear this PSSSSSSSSSSDD, then some metallic clonks, a bit more PSSSSSD and then he wonders back and paints the end blue?!

Dennis is classic, very nice bloke. When I first met him I was not Citroen wise and my front spheres had failed inside. I was bouncing all over the place. When I left Dennis' and drove down his potted track, I just couldn't believe it. Having him regas the spheres was always better the buying them!

Bandit, just to clarify, what i described wasn't my proceedure, its actually already on the club site, link below:

http://bxclub.co.uk/diy/struts/

The only bit it doesn't cover is adding the 3in1 oil through the hole at the strut top mount. I agree, ideally you shuldnt use wd40 etc...but if all else fails, then the amount of contamination is so low i'd take the risk anyway, as i suspect the lhm in the cars system is probably old anyway, a good excuse to change it for fresh lhm or even hydraflush after having sprayed away onto the piston if its very noisy.

As to the benefits, i've had varied success, but in all cases there has been an improvement (which i repeat regularly every 6k), its probably dependent upon how much crap is in the struts as the fresh lhm in the bottle has gone mud brown before, so not sure where it settles within the strut, possibly at the bottom? & so the citreobics must unsettle it. I also when there is crap in the bottle, i replace it with fresh lhm & continue to keep doing so until it stops making it manky. Even if this crap gets into the system, it should end up at the bottom of the main lhm tank due to its swirl design & plastic plate trap, simple & reasonably effective system.

I agree with Phil about lhm lubricating the strut piston/washer, others have also commented that its a waste of time, hence 3in1 oil was suggested to me by a few people. Again you dont want to be pouring loads of the stuff onto the piston, just a few drops.

Give it a try, you will only waste some time if it doesnt work & you never know, it may breathe a bit of extra life into the struts & stop any annoying groans. I think its should be part of a normal service, so when changing the oil & filters etc...i tend to give them a workout at the same time.

No, I appreciate it wasn't your procedure. I've tried it a couple of times and it's made no difference. Lubing the strut with LHM, be it by lifting the gaiter or pouring it in from the top may well aid creaking, but I don't buy the leak off pipe exercise.

Please don't mention the use of 3-in-1 or wd40 on your struts, it offends my eyes!

BX Bandit wrote:it offends my eyes!

That I find very difficult to believe Mr. Bandit...
But for what it's worth I've seen a temporary improvement with the return pipe lubing trick, a couple of weeks or so was all.

Simply compare the old plugs with the new to make sure they dont foul
anything.

The metal grill fixed under the bonnet is intended to reduce ignition noise on the car radio.

As Mat suggest, use some plywood to spread the load.

If you fancy a trip over to sunny Wycombe, I will have a look over the car for you.

Mike

Improvement? Nonsense! Interestingly then, a mildly leaking strut would have a beneficial effect!

BX Bandit wrote: Interestingly then, a mildly leaking strut would have a beneficial effect!

Actually they don't tend to creak IME.

BX Bandit wrote:I used to use Dennis when I lived in Essex. Does he still wonder of with the spheres somewhere round the back, then you hear this PSSSSSSSSSSDD, then some metallic clonks, a bit more PSSSSSD and then he wonders back and paints the end blue?!

Well, just before the BXagon we took The Green Hornet to Dennis for a final chaeck over: After he'd noted a few things, he focused on the rear spheres: "I reckon they're 15 or 16 bar". Turned out they were 18. He offered to regass and Kermit and I both agreed... sure enough he wandered off - but Kermit followed him. Kermit may well be able to describe the remarkable alchemy that he observed! I've since noted Dennis has customised equipment to test and refurbish regulators...

Just had a call from Darrin Brownhill who's been fettling the Bee arks whilst I slave away over a hot 'puter.

The good replacement filler neck has been fitted.

The fuel leak was due to a split breather on the top of the tank, which has been repaired using a DS breather pipe (ooh the luxury) and the carb has been taken apart and cleaned out.

New vacuum advance unit ordered from Bosch Germany (dizzy part number was 02 37 00 96 18 ) cost £14 inc VAT.

Job's a good un.

M

So you will be driving to St. Tropez in the Summer!

Great stuff, I keep forgetting to post that visor, sorry.

Philip Chidlow wrote:So you will be driving to St. Tropez in the Summer!

Yes but not in the Bee Arks, hopefully in the Wartburg.

mmmmmm smell that strawberry scented 2 stroke.