I'll AX this only once... though there is an Echo in here
Discussion
My brother learned to drive in an N-reg AX 1.0. In fact I think my brother-in-law learned in it as well - I think I sourced it for him from the Worcester auctions and then somehow managed to land it for my brother for £90 when B-i-L upgraded.
It was a cracking little thing and must have impressed my brother - when he chose to upgrade it was to a Saxo 1.1 and he now has a C2 1.4.
Enjoy OP!
It was a cracking little thing and must have impressed my brother - when he chose to upgrade it was to a Saxo 1.1 and he now has a C2 1.4.
Enjoy OP!
Thanks all, I'm thoroughly enjoying the AX and all of its understeer-y charm! New tyres have arrived, but the friend who is going to help me fit them is on holiday at the moment, so we've been sorting out some of the other issues,
Some bonus time this weekend resulted in starting on the front brakes - having taken the OS wheel off to check which of the 3 possible calipers I had (Teves/ATE) and seeing that those pads were thin, it was a little surprising to find more meat left on the NS ones. Possibly a sticking caliper....
Only had time to do the OS pads today unfortunately, so more investigations tomorrow....
Of a number of cars worked on, I have to say the ATE front calipers are nice and simple. No horrible hex bolts to round off for example (VW I'm looking in your direction). Also, the pads were £7 delivered, which was nice!
Having taken an (admittedly plastic) boot to the head when unloading, it was also time for new struts to minimise cranial damage.... Not too bad for £25 delivered from Berlin.
The third really minor thing was the clip to hold the bonnet support to the bonnet which had snapped and been replaced with a bent piece of wire. Of course it didn't NEED doing, but that's not the point, right!
Also, enormous thanks to the Citroen tech who provided me with a code for original factory fit Clarion stereo. It worked! The original stereo works....and is pretty awful
I'm not one for bangin' choonz but, I'd settle for a correctly wired volume knob that doesn't cut the output to the speakers over bumps. At random. Sometimes it's fine, sometimes you have to use the knob as a lever to make it work again.... The speakers are also....appropriate for the car
Still, all part of the charm. I actually bought a cassette copy of NOW 10 to go in the car!
Cheers,
Tom
Some bonus time this weekend resulted in starting on the front brakes - having taken the OS wheel off to check which of the 3 possible calipers I had (Teves/ATE) and seeing that those pads were thin, it was a little surprising to find more meat left on the NS ones. Possibly a sticking caliper....
Only had time to do the OS pads today unfortunately, so more investigations tomorrow....
Of a number of cars worked on, I have to say the ATE front calipers are nice and simple. No horrible hex bolts to round off for example (VW I'm looking in your direction). Also, the pads were £7 delivered, which was nice!
Having taken an (admittedly plastic) boot to the head when unloading, it was also time for new struts to minimise cranial damage.... Not too bad for £25 delivered from Berlin.
The third really minor thing was the clip to hold the bonnet support to the bonnet which had snapped and been replaced with a bent piece of wire. Of course it didn't NEED doing, but that's not the point, right!
Also, enormous thanks to the Citroen tech who provided me with a code for original factory fit Clarion stereo. It worked! The original stereo works....and is pretty awful
I'm not one for bangin' choonz but, I'd settle for a correctly wired volume knob that doesn't cut the output to the speakers over bumps. At random. Sometimes it's fine, sometimes you have to use the knob as a lever to make it work again.... The speakers are also....appropriate for the car
Still, all part of the charm. I actually bought a cassette copy of NOW 10 to go in the car!
Cheers,
Tom
Edited by darkyoung1000 on Sunday 3rd September 09:48
I was a fool and broke the rule of home spannering. Never talk about how easy one part of a job was until all of the job is finished.
The other parts yet to be touched will hear you and think...."right...we'll show him."
From that, you can correctly infer that the OS caliper has not been as cooperative.
The bottom pin had totally corroded in, and all efforts with penetrating fluid, heat, punches and hammers proved futile. I've got a new set of pins on order so I can finish cutting and drilling this one out. At least the lead time will give me the chance to investigate the sticking slider pins, and the reluctance of the piston to move!
The other parts yet to be touched will hear you and think...."right...we'll show him."
From that, you can correctly infer that the OS caliper has not been as cooperative.
The bottom pin had totally corroded in, and all efforts with penetrating fluid, heat, punches and hammers proved futile. I've got a new set of pins on order so I can finish cutting and drilling this one out. At least the lead time will give me the chance to investigate the sticking slider pins, and the reluctance of the piston to move!
I've got a pair of used AX GT calipers (the proper alloy lightweight ones) I was about to bung on eBay. Boots are a bit split and they could use some TLC, if you're interested.
They won't allow you to fit the bigger discs though, as I'm pretty sure it was the knuckle/strut arrangement that governed that.
They won't allow you to fit the bigger discs though, as I'm pretty sure it was the knuckle/strut arrangement that governed that.
Kitchski said:
I've got a pair of used AX GT calipers (the proper alloy lightweight ones) I was about to bung on eBay. Boots are a bit split and they could use some TLC, if you're interested.
They won't allow you to fit the bigger discs though, as I'm pretty sure it was the knuckle/strut arrangement that governed that.
Thanks very much, could your drop me a PM with what you're looking for please? It would be good to have a backup plan..... I'm not that worried about fitting the bigger disks to this one, I think the braking is adequate. If this OS caliper has had it though, the Girlings would make an excellent replacement!They won't allow you to fit the bigger discs though, as I'm pretty sure it was the knuckle/strut arrangement that governed that.
Not sure whether Saxo bits would fit, or whether the suspension arrangement was modified by that point.
Cheers,
Tom
Archimedes had some excellent points generally, in this case, his one about levers was spot on.
A gentle application of a steel bar that was once part of a driveway gate persuaded the piston back in. The slider pins took a little more dogged persistence, but liberal applications of penetrating fluid and li-moly grease has yielded results. The caliper now slides and the space under the boots are packed with grease.
Having been cut in half, the old pin had given up its defiance, and was tapped out from the back. New pins having arrived, these were liberally copper slipped up and tapped in place.
A simple brake pad change...ho, ho. However, took the AX out for a test run on quiet roads last night and after a few miles, the new pads seem to be bedding in nicely. There's no reason they shouldn't of course, but having done a job on an unfamiliar car for the first time (however routine) I always like to test it.
Hopefully get the front tyres done this weekend as the motorcycling trip to Scotland has been postponed due to the forecast.
Cheers,
Tom
A gentle application of a steel bar that was once part of a driveway gate persuaded the piston back in. The slider pins took a little more dogged persistence, but liberal applications of penetrating fluid and li-moly grease has yielded results. The caliper now slides and the space under the boots are packed with grease.
Having been cut in half, the old pin had given up its defiance, and was tapped out from the back. New pins having arrived, these were liberally copper slipped up and tapped in place.
A simple brake pad change...ho, ho. However, took the AX out for a test run on quiet roads last night and after a few miles, the new pads seem to be bedding in nicely. There's no reason they shouldn't of course, but having done a job on an unfamiliar car for the first time (however routine) I always like to test it.
Hopefully get the front tyres done this weekend as the motorcycling trip to Scotland has been postponed due to the forecast.
Cheers,
Tom
I hear what you're saying about the wheels, and completely agree...plans are afoot, but first things first.
I drove to a friend's yesterday to get the new tyres fitted. I fully acknowledge that just going to a tyre place would accomplish the same thing with less time and effort, but this was a new challenge....
This was one of the reasons it needed doing. The other one has a slow puncture and both are hard, low on tread ditchfinders.
He's done then on his bike and C1, and I was happy to be the next vehicle in line!
Took my compressor for reseating the bead on the rim....
Carefully manufactured bead breaking tool. This has worked before and was how we did the first wheel. In all honesty, it was a PITA, and didn't provide consistent results. So....
That sorted it. It's a vice rescued from the remains of Darlington Loco Works (now a Morrison's). It's an amazing thing that made short work of the bead. Lesson learned.
A clean rim (aww yeah) ready to have new rubber put on. A new pair of Falkens with an A rating for wet weather grip.
We lined up the yellow spot with the (new) valves each time, and the drive home proved that it wasn't a bad effort. The very slightest of wobbles at 70mph, but nothing that requires an immediate trip to a tyre shop. The difference in grip level is staggering.
We also took the opportunity to take the Hyfly of the back and put on the original Michelin spare. It's old, but has better tread, and matches the other old Michelin on the back! Matching tyres across axles at least!
12v supply and wheel paint next...
Cheers,
Tom
I drove to a friend's yesterday to get the new tyres fitted. I fully acknowledge that just going to a tyre place would accomplish the same thing with less time and effort, but this was a new challenge....
This was one of the reasons it needed doing. The other one has a slow puncture and both are hard, low on tread ditchfinders.
He's done then on his bike and C1, and I was happy to be the next vehicle in line!
Took my compressor for reseating the bead on the rim....
Carefully manufactured bead breaking tool. This has worked before and was how we did the first wheel. In all honesty, it was a PITA, and didn't provide consistent results. So....
That sorted it. It's a vice rescued from the remains of Darlington Loco Works (now a Morrison's). It's an amazing thing that made short work of the bead. Lesson learned.
A clean rim (aww yeah) ready to have new rubber put on. A new pair of Falkens with an A rating for wet weather grip.
We lined up the yellow spot with the (new) valves each time, and the drive home proved that it wasn't a bad effort. The very slightest of wobbles at 70mph, but nothing that requires an immediate trip to a tyre shop. The difference in grip level is staggering.
We also took the opportunity to take the Hyfly of the back and put on the original Michelin spare. It's old, but has better tread, and matches the other old Michelin on the back! Matching tyres across axles at least!
12v supply and wheel paint next...
Cheers,
Tom
Still not got to the wheel paint or the 12v supply yet... The car's been mostly used for day to day knocking around, and neither of those things are a particularly high priority.
As the gritting has started and this is one of Citroen's finest vehicles, underseal seemed like an prudent thing to move up the list of things to do. As the friend of mine with the 2CV has said, it's a Citroen...even the plastic rusts.
While it was already pretty good on the underside (presumably while it has lasted so long), it wouldn't hurt to top it up....
Rather than do this by hand, as I have a compressor, I thought I'd give it a try - it was a little cold out though so the underseal needed some persuasion.
Cleaning up the wheel arches revealed just how good a condition parts of the car are actually in - original paint still on the rear arches - it almost seems a shame to cover it up!
Cover it up I did though, so hopefully it should be protected a little better over the Winter. Unfortunately, it was too cold to get it into the cills properly as it was congealing in the extension. I think I'll have to wait for warmer temperatures unfortunately.
On the plus side, there is now room in the garage due to some re-shuffling of things and passing out some projects to other people - so I have 6 months to get on with the Corrado which has been off the road since August.
Cheers,
Tom
As the gritting has started and this is one of Citroen's finest vehicles, underseal seemed like an prudent thing to move up the list of things to do. As the friend of mine with the 2CV has said, it's a Citroen...even the plastic rusts.
While it was already pretty good on the underside (presumably while it has lasted so long), it wouldn't hurt to top it up....
Rather than do this by hand, as I have a compressor, I thought I'd give it a try - it was a little cold out though so the underseal needed some persuasion.
Cleaning up the wheel arches revealed just how good a condition parts of the car are actually in - original paint still on the rear arches - it almost seems a shame to cover it up!
Cover it up I did though, so hopefully it should be protected a little better over the Winter. Unfortunately, it was too cold to get it into the cills properly as it was congealing in the extension. I think I'll have to wait for warmer temperatures unfortunately.
On the plus side, there is now room in the garage due to some re-shuffling of things and passing out some projects to other people - so I have 6 months to get on with the Corrado which has been off the road since August.
Cheers,
Tom
Not an enormous amount to report in AX world, as it's mostly been business as usual - performing it's daily duties in a (mostly) uncomplaining fashion over the winter.
Unfortunately however having been away working over Christmas, and then having to make a swift change between work vehicle and personal vehicle, it turns out that the battery was on the way out, and was unhappy with being left for a week.
A spare Citroen C1 battery that we'd been lent to turn over the Scimitar (another thread there perhaps) came to the rescue temporarily, but that was elderly and lasted only a month before succumbing to the cold as well. Time to visit a large online retailer of car parts for an 063:
The advent of winter also made me realise that the headlights weren't great. A pair of Osram night breakers later....and they're still not great. Wait a moment, the O/S beam pattern seems to be pointing at the road.... Yup, that's because it's not connected properly. I have a secondhand headlight in the spare parts bin, waiting for a slightly warmer day....
This update wouldn't be complete without a rust report. It's a Citroen...even the plastic rusts. I found some on the N/S B-pillar behind the door trim. Looks like it's trapped water here, so this will need to be treated:
I have a day off next week, so will try to get to all of this if I'm not working on the Corrado which is still languishing in the garage...
However, most importantly, the AX was today pressed into service to transport an engine down south for another project that I'm having put back on the road by others (that's the subject of another thread I think....).
In the event of a shunt, the blue blanket would clearly protect my fragile flesh from 40-odd kg of cast iron flying around. However, I really didn't want to put it in the boot, as I'm not sure the floor would have appreciated it. I also would have required more work to lift it
What was it? A 918cc 1930s side valve - glad they had an engine crane at the other end (and the space to wield it).
A good delivery trip today, hopefully the next update will actually involve some work on the car!
Cheers,
Tom
Unfortunately however having been away working over Christmas, and then having to make a swift change between work vehicle and personal vehicle, it turns out that the battery was on the way out, and was unhappy with being left for a week.
A spare Citroen C1 battery that we'd been lent to turn over the Scimitar (another thread there perhaps) came to the rescue temporarily, but that was elderly and lasted only a month before succumbing to the cold as well. Time to visit a large online retailer of car parts for an 063:
The advent of winter also made me realise that the headlights weren't great. A pair of Osram night breakers later....and they're still not great. Wait a moment, the O/S beam pattern seems to be pointing at the road.... Yup, that's because it's not connected properly. I have a secondhand headlight in the spare parts bin, waiting for a slightly warmer day....
This update wouldn't be complete without a rust report. It's a Citroen...even the plastic rusts. I found some on the N/S B-pillar behind the door trim. Looks like it's trapped water here, so this will need to be treated:
I have a day off next week, so will try to get to all of this if I'm not working on the Corrado which is still languishing in the garage...
However, most importantly, the AX was today pressed into service to transport an engine down south for another project that I'm having put back on the road by others (that's the subject of another thread I think....).
In the event of a shunt, the blue blanket would clearly protect my fragile flesh from 40-odd kg of cast iron flying around. However, I really didn't want to put it in the boot, as I'm not sure the floor would have appreciated it. I also would have required more work to lift it
What was it? A 918cc 1930s side valve - glad they had an engine crane at the other end (and the space to wield it).
A good delivery trip today, hopefully the next update will actually involve some work on the car!
Cheers,
Tom
There's a bloke with a red AX GT that works on one of the Gaydon sites. It looks s
t.. faded paint, grey bumpers, scabs etc. There's even a sticker on it that says "this may be a piece of st, but it's in front of you".
I don't know what is under the bonnet, but it is seriously quick and the driver has monstrous cahonies. It absolutely flew past me and scurried off. I couldn't do ANYTHING to keep up with it in the Lexus. It wheelspun into third and just fked right off. I was speaking to a colleague who'd also come across this car whilst out in his audi TT 3.2, even he said he was struggling to keep up with it on the country lanes...
t.. faded paint, grey bumpers, scabs etc. There's even a sticker on it that says "this may be a piece of st, but it's in front of you".I don't know what is under the bonnet, but it is seriously quick and the driver has monstrous cahonies. It absolutely flew past me and scurried off. I couldn't do ANYTHING to keep up with it in the Lexus. It wheelspun into third and just f
ked right off. I was speaking to a colleague who'd also come across this car whilst out in his audi TT 3.2, even he said he was struggling to keep up with it on the country lanes... I'd love a GT...but then it would become another special project that I'd want to restore and not use as a daily transport.
I have to keep telling myself that a power increases is not on the cards. Basic servicing only!
For the B pillar, while the surface is pitted, it's not holed yet. Prevention is still possible!
I'm going to wire brush it to bare metal, k-rust it and then apply primer and top coat. Or Hammerite.
If after that, it starts to deteriorate, it's cutting and welding time!
I have to keep telling myself that a power increases is not on the cards. Basic servicing only!
For the B pillar, while the surface is pitted, it's not holed yet. Prevention is still possible!
I'm going to wire brush it to bare metal, k-rust it and then apply primer and top coat. Or Hammerite.
If after that, it starts to deteriorate, it's cutting and welding time!
...and basic servicing and minor maintenance was the order of the day today. Having had the car since July, it seemed like a good idea to get a service done - I didn't really have any worries over previous attention it had received given the previous owners day job, but it was about due.... The O/S headlight also needed replacing as one of the fastenings had snapped and it pointed about 6 feet in front of the front bumper. Not only an MOT fail, but a PiTA to drive at night despite the Osram bulbs.
The only car that will fit on the ramps (apart from the Scimitar which isn't mobile enough to do so yet), so might as well make use of them to get the oil dropped:
An inspection of the spark plugs showed them to be in good order...so I put them back again. Similarly, the air filter was good and clean, so that went back in again:
The fuel filter didn't look like it had been touched in a while though, as a Bosch item it was possibly OE - it still had the crimp clips on it. The replacement was unfortunately slightly smaller diameter, so the original interference fit got a little extra security - bangernomics style:
The auxiliary belt was slightly chewed in one location, and had been contaminated with oil from the headgasket failure fixed by the previous owner. Seemed like a good opportunity to replace it:
The other issue was the headlight - the replacement wasn't quite identical as the back was different, but it fitted well and removes the broken clip and unfortunate angle:
That's got to be the easiest headlight I've ever removed... It just pulled off in two places next to the grille, and then slides off near the wing. Marvellous:
I also managed to get some K-rust on the B-pillar corrosion, although, I've not managed to go beyond that yet. I need warmer temperatures and longer daylight before I can get it properly done, but it might slow it down until then!
Cheers,
Tom
The only car that will fit on the ramps (apart from the Scimitar which isn't mobile enough to do so yet), so might as well make use of them to get the oil dropped:
An inspection of the spark plugs showed them to be in good order...so I put them back again. Similarly, the air filter was good and clean, so that went back in again:
The fuel filter didn't look like it had been touched in a while though, as a Bosch item it was possibly OE - it still had the crimp clips on it. The replacement was unfortunately slightly smaller diameter, so the original interference fit got a little extra security - bangernomics style:
The auxiliary belt was slightly chewed in one location, and had been contaminated with oil from the headgasket failure fixed by the previous owner. Seemed like a good opportunity to replace it:
The other issue was the headlight - the replacement wasn't quite identical as the back was different, but it fitted well and removes the broken clip and unfortunate angle:
That's got to be the easiest headlight I've ever removed... It just pulled off in two places next to the grille, and then slides off near the wing. Marvellous:
I also managed to get some K-rust on the B-pillar corrosion, although, I've not managed to go beyond that yet. I need warmer temperatures and longer daylight before I can get it properly done, but it might slow it down until then!
Cheers,
Tom
Not the most crucial of jobs perhaps, but last weekend revealed a blown speaker. It may have blown due to turning the volume up too loud while there was an impromptu Beatles sing-a-long happening going up the A1 with my niece on board for the weekend... This was not my doing but was really bugging me.
The AX has got to be the easiest car I had to remove the speaker on. A screwdriver in to the bottom of the cover, and off it comes:
It had certainly seen better days, and the one on the passenger side was mouldy....
Hence a pair of cheap speakers and some connections were procured from Wilco Motosave for £20:
...and now the music can play again!
Doing it was also simple, as you can disassemble the factory plug, pull the wires out of it, strip the ends and put them on the new speakers.
As with all fixing jobs however, the karmic balance is restored by finding something else wrong. In this case, 5mm of water in the driver's footwell. I confirmed it wasn't snow melt from boots unfortunately, and so now need to investigate.
Any AX gurus on here for any pointers? My initial look shows water should drain from under the scuttle panel into the wheel arches and I couldn't feel any drain holes. Sunroof channels are a possibility or the windscreen seal.... Any other thoughts?
Cheers,
Tom
The AX has got to be the easiest car I had to remove the speaker on. A screwdriver in to the bottom of the cover, and off it comes:
It had certainly seen better days, and the one on the passenger side was mouldy....
Hence a pair of cheap speakers and some connections were procured from Wilco Motosave for £20:
...and now the music can play again!
Doing it was also simple, as you can disassemble the factory plug, pull the wires out of it, strip the ends and put them on the new speakers.
As with all fixing jobs however, the karmic balance is restored by finding something else wrong. In this case, 5mm of water in the driver's footwell. I confirmed it wasn't snow melt from boots unfortunately, and so now need to investigate.
Any AX gurus on here for any pointers? My initial look shows water should drain from under the scuttle panel into the wheel arches and I couldn't feel any drain holes. Sunroof channels are a possibility or the windscreen seal.... Any other thoughts?
Cheers,
Tom
Good work.
I bought a similar little shed a couple of days ago.
72k miles, 4 months test. All good tyres and it drives perfect.
EML is on bit everything works. Only thing bust is the hazard warning light switch.
£280...
Planning to service it and do the cambelt. I've never done a belt before but YouTube reckons it's pretty straightforward.
Vive la shed petite!!!!
I bought a similar little shed a couple of days ago.
72k miles, 4 months test. All good tyres and it drives perfect.
EML is on bit everything works. Only thing bust is the hazard warning light switch.
£280...
Planning to service it and do the cambelt. I've never done a belt before but YouTube reckons it's pretty straightforward.
Vive la shed petite!!!!
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