Citroen XM Forum

One more reason to hang on to that XM dollywobl!

Alas, it's unlikely I'll be able to keep it going forever. The huge amount of salt they chuck on the roads around here makes life very difficult for older cars.

Go island hopping and we'll treat her underside properly. That reminds me, I should do that again myself. It's not that they don't salt roads in Ireland but somehow the rust devil seems worse in the UK yes.

Visited Tony Weston Motors today for a little XM fettling. The plan was to replace the rear centre sphere, which I suspected was duff. They got the old one off (so much easier with a lift and proper tools!) and yes, the diaphragm had ruptured. This is when I discovered that instead of bringing the replacement sphere, I'd somehow managed to bring a box with the two outers that I'd replaced! Ugh! However, they have this:


That confirmed that both old rears were very duff. The best was 10psi. Picture actually shows one of the fronts as I thought we might as well check the lot while I was there. They were all within spec. But at least now the centre rear has been cracked, I should be able to replace it at home. I also need to replace the front offside brake pipe. Not looking healthy! Any idea where's best to source a replacement?

Otherwise, she's still pretty good underneath, though the underseal has cracked around one of the rearmost rear subframe mounts. Still seems solid, so I'll try and clean that up and treat it when I do the sphere.

I used these: http://www.sphere-shop.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Excellent apart from I put my order in the day they shut down for the French summer break!

I did a bit of research around the forums and just about everyone rated these. Price competitive if not the cheapest.

Changing the rigidity spheres transformed the ride.

Rob

I've got an IFHS sphere sitting somewhere in my garage ready to fit. I just need to find it...

Changing the outers made a surprising difference. Can't wait to get maximum waft restored.

Huzzah! Finally got that dead rear centre sphere changed. My XM has its waft back! So soft now. Lovely.

Well done, you. You can't beat a proper dose of waft.

What a pig of a job though. So much easier with a proper lift! Not too bad when you're cracking it off with the suspension on high, but gets a bit tight once you've lowered it and depressurised! Keep finding you can't quite get your hand where you want it to be as there's exhaust or some other thing right in the way of your arm.

For centre spheres you should lower the car then depressurise the system BEFORE turning the engine off. They come undone really easily then.

To access them, lay under the car and reach over the left part of the exhaust with your left hand. Access is no problem then.

I bet your bum thinks you have a trapped fart in your trousers now, compared to riding on three ruptured spheres.