BX Strut tops

[BX Bandit]

These are filled with rubber aren't they? I've never seen one do the Xantia/XM trick of pushing up through the bonnet but I assume it can happen?
Aside from that, this rubber must age/disintegrate/lose it's shock absorbancy? I was wondering what a perforated 5mm thick piece of rubber would do, fitted between the strut mount and the chassis. Any thoughts on ride or noise?

[mat_fenwick]

Interesting you should mention this, as I got an advisory on the MOT last week for one of the mounts deteriorating slightly. The tester is reasonably familiar with BXs and said he'd never seen one fail completely, unlike Xantias. I have seen some which were so worn they had several mm of visible movement, which suggests to me that they fail in a safe rather than catastrophic manner.

[BX Bandit]

Hmmm, but what then? What if the MOTMAN fails it then? Where to get bits?

[citronut]

even though they come up as NFP here is price and part No.

Part Number Description Quantity Price excl. VAT Price incl. VAT Total incl. VAT Selection
95563928 SUSPENSION CYLINDER SUPPORT 85.84 GBP 103.01 GBP 103.01 GBP


you could do a goooogly search with the No. to see if someone has any new old stock

regards malcolm

[mat_fenwick]

Hmmm, but what then? What if the MOTMAN fails it then? Where to get bits?

Yeah, that was my slight worry. I'm hoping to find a set this year before the next MOT! I haven't started looking yet as I'm not in a position to buy if I found them But another option might be to get the originals refurbished by one of those companies who make up suspension bushes from patterns.

Regarding the rubber spacer, it may make the handling a bit vague as you'll have no direct contact between the strut mount and the bodywork, just the 3 studs. OTOH, it's only a thin sheet of rubber so it may make no difference. Suck it and see! Well, not really suck it ass LHM tastes vile...

[Vanny]

I thought this had come up recently and there was some guy in Romania that could refurb them (and already does good business in Xantia and XM strut tops)? I've tried to find the relevant post but failed, perhaps i read it on FCF?

[mat_fenwick]

They've got a Facebook page but not sure whether I've seen it on a forum...I might look around for a set to refurb.

[BX Bandit]

I tried a brief look on the xm forum but got bored. I Can't see why they wouldn't do a BX top.

Surely after 20-odd years of hard pounding (ahem...) that rubber's going to be pretty tired and perished

[mds141]

I had a XM strut top mount refurbished/rebuilt by kinGas in Lithuania. Very happy with the finished mount. Fast turnaround and very professional service. I can recommend them without hesitation.

[Vanny]

Ah ha, so perhaps it was FaceBalls i read it on!

[BX Bandit]

How much did it cost mds?

[mds141]

All in, inc postage was £160, bearing in mind a strut refurb on a XM is more involved than on a BX I would say. Part of the refurb process involves modifying the strut mount so that it won't separate in the event of failure and pierce one's bonnet.

£160 might seem steep, but considering that it would cost £400 to buy a new one from Citroen, then that price seems reasonable.

I just emailed kinGas with the relevant details and posted the old strut mount, once the work was completed they posted it back via courier and I paid using PayPal. A very straightforward transaction.

[BX Bandit]

Thanks Mark, yes £160 does seem a bit steep, but as you say, cheap compared to the alternative. Have you had it fitted to your XM? Did you notice any difference between it and the old mount ride wise?

[mds141]

I don't think a XM strut mount has much effect on the ride. Until it separates and pokes through the bonnet that is!!

I've fitted 'comfort' spheres all round and the biggest difference to ride comfort was the addition of a electrovalve repair kit. Lovely and soft now. Until I activate the sports suspension that is.

[Pogo]

Found these contact details for KINGas on the XM forum which may be helpful.
They say on their website they can repair/rebuild any suspension top mount.

Citroen XM old broken strut mounts renewed with polyurethane. Original shape and hardness retained. Improved inside construction now preventing from splitting strut mount into two parts in case of elastomer failure. Corrosion resistant coating applied. We can renew strut mounts even with corrosion hardly damaged lower plate and also remake drivers side to passengers side and vice versa. Two years warranty is applicable for our renewed strut mount!

We are located in Eastern Europe, Lithuania, Kaunas.

Find us on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/elastomer ... 6053327802" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
website: http://www.elastomer.eu" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (sorry no english version yet)
email: info@elastomer.eu
or by phone: +370 699 69591

Sincerely,
Irmantas Galinis
http://www.elastomer.eu" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;