Ok...here Goes........

[willie]

First of all....thanks Colin, I went to the guy in Ibrox you told me about.

Over 500 quid to replace the 4 corner spheres, fan belt/pulley kit and cambelt.

Wayyyyyyyyy too much for my budget at this time of year though I will get him to do the belts very soon as I have not the knowledge to even attempt the job myself.

 

I am gonna attempt the the spheres myself next week. I've been busy printing off snippets of information from here and the GSF forum............I've bought a sphere removal tool from ebay and just awaiting the Haynes manual too.

 

I'm not that confident about doing the job (hence the reason I'm doing it during my festive break from work!!! Two weeks to get it back on the road!!!) but I'm gonna give it my best shot.

 

Can anyone of you guys tell me how much Hydraflush I'll need as I'm going to drain all the LHM fluid and clean the filters I've heard about too.

 

I now know that the guy I bought the car from just did not maintain it properly.........I shoulda guessed as much as I've known him for nearly a year now and.........................

 

....anyway guys, a wee bit of help please.

 

Are the wheels better to be up on ramps rather than just hanging (with the chassis supported on axle stands)?

 

I do get the feeling that I aint ever gonna buy a Hydrolastic car again...........well, we'll see how I get on with this one.

 

Thanks for any input.

 

Willie

[Guest Colin Hunter]

Hi Again Willie. I did the front's myself, but, because I'm a WFB (Wee F*T Ba***d), and I have no pit (YET) I decided I didn't want to end my days, squished, under a "Dropped" Xantia!. I got my local car Guru to do the rears on his lift. I assume the rear wheeels dropped down when he did them. I never asked him but he only charged me an Hours labour (£25) plus the cost of the spheres which I supplied. Money well spent!

 

As far as the cambelt goes. I replied to a guy who wanted info about doing one on a ZX Diesel. I uploaded a PDF of the procedure to my Opera page at http://my.opera.com/Brecknaheim/blog/ if it's a help. I never heard any more from him or if he even looked at it.

 

The LHM filters are built into the cover of the reservoir. It's tricky but just possible to undo the clips and access the filters by rolling the cover out with the pipes attached.

 

I don't know much about "Hydraflush" Most oils these days have detergents and dispersants in them to help combat contamination. I would imagine that it would dislodge any crap that's lurking in the system and deposit it in the filters. If you want to do a proper job you could open each brake bleed nipple in turn and flush that through too. Bye. Bedtime!

[willie]

Hi Again Willie. I did the front's myself, but, because I'm a WFB (Wee F*T Ba***d), and I have no pit (YET) I decided I didn't want to end my days, squished, under a "Dropped" Xantia!. I got my local car Guru to do the rears on his lift. I assume the rear wheeels dropped down when he did them. I never asked him but he only charged me an Hours labour (£25) plus the cost of the spheres which I supplied. Money well spent!

 

As far as the cambelt goes. I replied to a guy who wanted info about doing one on a ZX Diesel. I uploaded a PDF of the procedure to my Opera page at http://my.opera.com/Brecknaheim/blog/ if it's a help. I never heard any more from him or if he even looked at it.

 

The LHM filters are built into the cover of the reservoir. It's tricky but just possible to undo the clips and access the filters by rolling the cover out with the pipes attached.

 

I don't know much about "Hydraflush" Most oils these days have detergents and dispersants in them to help combat contamination. I would imagine that it would dislodge any crap that's lurking in the system and deposit it in the filters. If you want to do a proper job you could open each brake bleed nipple in turn and flush that through too. Bye. Bedtime!

Thanks for sharing Colin.

[Guest Kane]

Hi, changed all my corner spheres a few weeks back. I believe it is best to use ramps for sphere changes because the weight of the car is still supported by the wheels on the ramps, so when you lower the suspension and undo the nut on the accumulator sphere (near radiator, only half to 3 quarters turn on bolt!) all the pressure is out of the system so less LHM on the drive!!

 

Is the tool you bought the one with a handle about a foot or so long? If so it makes the job an absolute doddle!

 

Tip for the rear spheres, put the suspension on high setting and with the tool turn the sphere about a quarter of a turn just to loosen them, then follow the normal procedure. Any probs will try and help, this was my first time changing the spheres. Nice and simple and makes such a difference.

[willie]

Hi, changed all my corner spheres a few weeks back. I believe it is best to use ramps for sphere changes because the weight of the car is still supported by the wheels on the ramps, so when you lower the suspension and undo the nut on the accumulator sphere (near radiator, only half to 3 quarters turn on bolt!) all the pressure is out of the system so less LHM on the drive!!

 

Is the tool you bought the one with a handle about a foot or so long? If so it makes the job an absolute doddle!

 

Tip for the rear spheres, put the suspension on high setting and with the tool turn the sphere about a quarter of a turn just to loosen them, then follow the normal procedure. Any probs will try and help, this was my first time changing the spheres. Nice and simple and makes such a difference.

 

 

I bought the accumulator sphere thingymajig removal tool but it's from the same guy (who is very helpful) and he assures me that it is more than up to the job for removing the corner spheres. I have to use a 1/2" ratchet with it.

 

Colin.......did you get my email?

 

Cat n Fiddle ????

[Guest Colin Hunter]

Cat n Fiddle ????

 

 

Name that tune in one!!!!!!!!!!!!! Give that man a cigar!!!!!!!!!!

[willie]

The "magic carpet" ride has been experienced :P

 

Replaced the 4 corner spheres and the accumulator sphere today..........I also flushed the system using that hydraflush stuff..........piss easy job guys - thanks for your advice.

 

Going to get to the root of the bad starting tomorrow (hopefully!!!!).

 

Then I'll book the car in to have the timing belt, auxiliary belt and tensioner done next week....... anyone fancy having a guess as to what I'll get charged?????.........I haven't a clue what to expect :D

[Guest Colin Hunter]

I see SHE'S :D coming along well Willie! The cambelt job shouldn't cost any more on the Xantia than any other car with an XUD or similar. A good mechanic should do it in a couple of hours. Ask what the hourly rate is and ask for an estimate.

 

Cheers :P

[willie]

I see SHE'S :D coming along well Willie! The cambelt job shouldn't cost any more on the Xantia than any other car with an XUD or similar. A good mechanic should do it in a couple of hours. Ask what the hourly rate is and ask for an estimate.

 

Cheers :P

 

 

Nah nah Colin..........tis still "it" for the time being mate!!!

[willie]

Nah nah Colin..........tis still "it" for the time being mate!!!

 

 

Kane, I sent you a pm mate but dunno if it worked.........so here ;

 

 

 

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17451