Citroen XM Forum

I think the actual linkages are fine, there is no difficulty engaging gear, just changing gear is very stiff. Something is dry, or the gearbox has leaked it's oil

I put new clutchs in both kvg and kban too..... I noticed these pedal differences but simply could not explain it..

possibly differences in pressure plates...

I doubt changing the oil will make a difference to a sudden change of state gearbox and suspect either a bearing or circlip has given up. The starnge clutch action and stiff gearchanges coupled with noise make me think the input shaft bearing may have gone U/s.
The stiff change is due to the baulk rings not releasing the gear mesh, probably as a result of clutch drag, which can be due to the input shaft moving into the thrust bearing. The noise you have is gearbox related as it stops when you depress the clutch pedal, thus disengaging the drive to the input shaft.

In reality, there isn't a lot to a gearbox, so a repair is feasible.

Change/check oil? No, maybe not, but it's such an easy thing to do and eliminate. You'd kick yourself if this were the problem. (Incorrect use of 75W/90 can produce shift stiffness, and is a common mistake.)
Change in behaviour is Nov (ok) and Jan (stiff) if I get it right. This corresponds to a drastic drop in temp.

Ok, so yesterday I changed the gearbox oil, I made sure I could get the fill plug out before I drained the oil...
Only 1 litre came out, but I put approx 1.85 litres in. Whilst up on the ramp I examined all linkages and gave them a spray of WD40.
Back on the floor before I started it up I went through the gears without the clutch, and they seemed a lot better, not perfect, but better.

Changed the diesel filter and went for a test drive, it was a little better, but not much. I left her at the lock-up and brought K-BAN home.
Wow... What a difference, feather light clutch with long pedal travel, a gear change that responds to a 2 finger flick...

Definitely something not right with the clutch cable on KVG, maybe a new cable and quadrant?

Whilst up on the ramp I inspected the underside, the rubber bellow on the rear passenger side suspension piston has split and detached, is this a major problem? The drivers side one is perishing in the same place too.

Yes, bought one a few weeks ago from Citroen. Maybe buy the pin while you are at it too. Reused mine but if it had broke I would have been up shit creek.

jamescarruthers wrote:Yes, bought one a few weeks ago from Citroen. Maybe buy the pin while you are at it too. Reused mine but if it had broke I would have been up shit creek.

Clutch cable? Don't suppose you have a part number? And a price? And what's this pin you mention?

raynoon wrote:Whilst up on the ramp I inspected the underside, the rubber bellow on the rear passenger side suspension piston has split and detached, is this a major problem? The drivers side one is perishing in the same place too.

Sorry, I meant the bellows for the rear suspension cylinders!

I think they were £35 or £45 each. They carry the leak back / case drain fluid so without you will have a permanent weep.

The front gaiters are just dirt shields.