Citroen XM Forum

Eddie nuff wrote:And we both know that spending six weeks underneath a car in a freezing garage in the middle of winter making the car solid for the next ten years (hopefully) counts for nothing when compared to someone spending 20 minutes polishing their car at a meet with everyone watching.

Unfair isn't it. But the peace of mind knowing it's done is worth far more than a prize. I don't think I have ever cleaned or polished the car at a rally. And I'm not about too start, unless a monumentally large bird craps on it!

Temp sensor should arrive mid week, welding arranged for end of week, which gives me a few days to sort my Xantia out for the mot which is due in a weeks time. I never leave it this late; always like to get her in a month before the due date but circumstances have gotten the better of me this year. And I'm going to need a bit of time - the indicator stalk needs replacing asap as the contact is intermittent at best. I've cleaned it twice before but the stalk is past its sell by tbh. The nsr brake squeals when cold and the exhaust has a slight blow right up at the manifold join.

As I'm not going to be able to do anything until next weekend I had a look at the headlining to prepare me for what is coming and something didn't add up. I couldn't put my finger on it initially until I put the courtesy light in


and then I remembered a photo Robert had posted a while ago


Spot the difference?

The courtesy light on my headlining angles downwards whilst the original shows that the light should be level and then a drop into the sunroof aperture. So, apart from everything else, the light seating is going to have to be raised.

Oh, deep joy!

I got an awful feeling I know the answer to this but I'll ask anyway.

Does the sunroof cassette have to come out in order to remove the sunroof slider? (the part that slides over the sunroof).

Its all a single one piece unit.. But i only remove them complete.. I cant answer you on that one but might able to help with an indicator stalk though...

Bugger! I need to get at the slider in order to recover it in the same material as the headlining. Damn, more bloody work.

I got a stalk from a guy breaking a Xsara locally. Wouldn't say no to a spare though.

Busy day. Straight from work to mot Xantia - easy pass! (that's 8 out of 9 straight through ), then over to the garage to take Goldie up for the welding done. He's hoping to be able to get it done tomorrow but with 3 engine changes, 2 clutches, one needing brakes relining, another wheel bearing and ball joints, two needing full services, one in for a full respray, one already in prep, and two salvage motors outside, he said it might lapse over the weekend.

It wouldn't actually be a problem if he did keep it over the weekend as that would give me the space in the garage to work on the headlining. I've got my head sorted now as to how I'm going to do this, and from a feeling of dread when I started this mini overhaul I'm actually looking forward to it.

When she does come back there's the temp sensor to sort out, heater pipes to fit, spray the welding up, and re-fit the wheel arches, and that side of things is done. Then there's just the drivers seat to sort, as it's stuck at the rear of the slide, and the headlining to finish and fit.

I think I've broke its back - if it ain't broke mine!

Well done for the Xantia MOT pass Neil and for persevering with the dreaded XM headlining task! Regards, Matthew T.

The ready to fit headlining from Matthew and Russ


Lots more done but nearly new phone went haywire so no more piccies.

Car should be done Monday but I won't be able to collect until Wednesday.

That is looking good Neil and I am really pleased all appears to be working out for you, despite the earlier doom and gloom! I look forward to inspecting at the X rally! Regards, Matthew T.

Me too. It scrubbed up well. It should look great.