I'll AX this only once... though there is an Echo in here
Discussion
As mentioned in my other thread on the Corrado - it was becoming pressed into service more regularly due to the demise of the diesel Astra.
This was a problem on a number of levels, it's not the ideal daily, I don't really like the dog going in it on a regular basis....and it's off the road with some issues for at least the next month.
A backup plan was required, and a search of various classified adverts commenced. There are plenty of £500 cars out there, but most of then are not very interesting. I mean where's the fun of a reliable, newer car that is unlikely to need maintenance and hence allow us to get on with fixing all the stuff that NEEDS doing right...?
Hence we hopped on a train to South West London to buy a car from an McLaren employee. Sound interesting?
Well...not that interesting:
Here is a 1.1l Citroen AX Echo. A single point injection, 60HP TU engine in a car that weighs 720kg. Of course we'd love an AX GT, I've always wanted one....but they're £3K not £500 and would definitely become a well loved other project taking even more time away from the other projects we're not doing!
Besides that, I'd spend months in a 1.5D version delivering pizza and having a splendid time doing it. Lightweight, skinny tyres, controllable understeer....and that was the diesel. The petrol version as a runabout had to be worth a try.
All of my protestations about not spending time on it were useless though. I've ordered a set of mudflaps, I'll be fixing the currently missing ducting in the engine bay, and...if I can find some, buying some doorcard pins to make opening the doors a lot easier from the inside! Today, I also washed it, used a machine polisher and some back to black on the faded plastics. I clearly need help as I can't leave it alone.... It's also the youngest, lowest mileage 4-wheeled vehicle in the fleet
The height of french luxury
An application of this
Led to this
....and eventually this.
....and this.
I suspect there won't me many updates, but it helps me keep track of what I'm doing!
Cheers,
Tom
This was a problem on a number of levels, it's not the ideal daily, I don't really like the dog going in it on a regular basis....and it's off the road with some issues for at least the next month.
A backup plan was required, and a search of various classified adverts commenced. There are plenty of £500 cars out there, but most of then are not very interesting. I mean where's the fun of a reliable, newer car that is unlikely to need maintenance and hence allow us to get on with fixing all the stuff that NEEDS doing right...?
Hence we hopped on a train to South West London to buy a car from an McLaren employee. Sound interesting?
Well...not that interesting:
Here is a 1.1l Citroen AX Echo. A single point injection, 60HP TU engine in a car that weighs 720kg. Of course we'd love an AX GT, I've always wanted one....but they're £3K not £500 and would definitely become a well loved other project taking even more time away from the other projects we're not doing!
Besides that, I'd spend months in a 1.5D version delivering pizza and having a splendid time doing it. Lightweight, skinny tyres, controllable understeer....and that was the diesel. The petrol version as a runabout had to be worth a try.
All of my protestations about not spending time on it were useless though. I've ordered a set of mudflaps, I'll be fixing the currently missing ducting in the engine bay, and...if I can find some, buying some doorcard pins to make opening the doors a lot easier from the inside! Today, I also washed it, used a machine polisher and some back to black on the faded plastics. I clearly need help as I can't leave it alone.... It's also the youngest, lowest mileage 4-wheeled vehicle in the fleet
The height of french luxury
An application of this
Led to this
....and eventually this.
....and this.
I suspect there won't me many updates, but it helps me keep track of what I'm doing!
Cheers,
Tom
Crikey, thanks for the support all, much appreciated!
@Kitchski it is, in part your thread on the GT that led me down this path. It made me remember how much fun I had driving it!
I've not had the chance to do anything more to it this week (Snetterton beckons next week and there's a ZZR1100 that needs attention).
However, once that's out of the way, applying more underseal is high up the list. It's been done already in places, probably how it's held up so well.
The wash has also revealed mismatched tyres, one with a small cut in the sidewall. The spare looks brand new though, so that may be swapped out.
I also received these through the post. The top from a friend who owned one and still had the manual, the bottom from t'interweb.
When the fettling starts I will be ready! I suspect this one is a keeper....
Cheers,
Tom
@Kitchski it is, in part your thread on the GT that led me down this path. It made me remember how much fun I had driving it!
I've not had the chance to do anything more to it this week (Snetterton beckons next week and there's a ZZR1100 that needs attention).
However, once that's out of the way, applying more underseal is high up the list. It's been done already in places, probably how it's held up so well.
The wash has also revealed mismatched tyres, one with a small cut in the sidewall. The spare looks brand new though, so that may be swapped out.
I also received these through the post. The top from a friend who owned one and still had the manual, the bottom from t'interweb.
When the fettling starts I will be ready! I suspect this one is a keeper....
Cheers,
Tom
No wheel painting as yet, although other things have been happening or developing in the background....
I'm unhappy with both front tyres (one has sidewall damage, one has a slow puncture) so have ordered pair of Falken's from Camskill (about £50 the pair). The spare original (Michelin) will replace one of the rears so I have matching front and back. Both Michelins are pre-2000 but the tread blocks are still soft (ish) and there's little sign of perishing or other degradation.
The original stereo has come out - it wan't easy. I then discover it's a Clarion, and will cost me £25 to get the code for....or a call to the local friendly Citroen dealer will get it for nothing! Unfortunately I've made a mess of it be trying to enter a code, panicking, pressing a button to many times, and locking it with the wrong code. Wisdom has it that I need to leave it on for a few hours to reset it before I can try the correct code, so I'm rigging up some wiring to connect it to a spare battery in the garage..... I do have a different stereo, but where's the fun in that!?
I've picked up/ordered a few bits so far, but the only physical work has been sorting out the warm air feed to the fuel injection system. The hose was missing, so some 2-ply neoprene ducting and a clip from an old washing machine that's been in my spares box for 10 years, meant this:
Was successfully transformed into this:
Very small progress, but then this was never about a total restoration from the ground up. It is after all, the regular use vehicle (a good job really as the Corrado is still not back on the road)....
Cheers for all the comments so far,
Tom
I'm unhappy with both front tyres (one has sidewall damage, one has a slow puncture) so have ordered pair of Falken's from Camskill (about £50 the pair). The spare original (Michelin) will replace one of the rears so I have matching front and back. Both Michelins are pre-2000 but the tread blocks are still soft (ish) and there's little sign of perishing or other degradation.
The original stereo has come out - it wan't easy. I then discover it's a Clarion, and will cost me £25 to get the code for....or a call to the local friendly Citroen dealer will get it for nothing! Unfortunately I've made a mess of it be trying to enter a code, panicking, pressing a button to many times, and locking it with the wrong code. Wisdom has it that I need to leave it on for a few hours to reset it before I can try the correct code, so I'm rigging up some wiring to connect it to a spare battery in the garage..... I do have a different stereo, but where's the fun in that!?
I've picked up/ordered a few bits so far, but the only physical work has been sorting out the warm air feed to the fuel injection system. The hose was missing, so some 2-ply neoprene ducting and a clip from an old washing machine that's been in my spares box for 10 years, meant this:
Was successfully transformed into this:
Very small progress, but then this was never about a total restoration from the ground up. It is after all, the regular use vehicle (a good job really as the Corrado is still not back on the road)....
Cheers for all the comments so far,
Tom
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!
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
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
D-day for the AX today - it's first MOT under my ownership. It could have been worse!
The headlight replacement - while a distinct improvement on the broken one was not enough to satisfy the MOT tester. I can either bodge the plastic clips with Araldite or similar, or pay £75 for a pair of replacement lights. I think I know what my short-term solution will be... A good chat with him established that as long as it doesn't move, they're happy.
The link pipe I've found on eBay for £12.50 delivered. It's fractured all around the rear box connection, and while I could gun gum it to get it though, as the part is so cheap, it seems foolish not to.
The welding...well, I'm always looking for an excuse to practice my skills. They certainly need practice. I've got some old 2CV chassis left over from helping a mate change his original chassis for a galvanised one last year, so if it's thick enough, I'll use that.
That will tackle both the hole in the outside of the sill...and the one that's developing on the inside (thereby addressing one of the advisories too).
Looks like some of that Waxoyl will have to come off. Best take the carpets out too so I don't set fire to them....
I'll get to the brake hoses another time once I have a a years test.
The headlight replacement - while a distinct improvement on the broken one was not enough to satisfy the MOT tester. I can either bodge the plastic clips with Araldite or similar, or pay £75 for a pair of replacement lights. I think I know what my short-term solution will be... A good chat with him established that as long as it doesn't move, they're happy.
The link pipe I've found on eBay for £12.50 delivered. It's fractured all around the rear box connection, and while I could gun gum it to get it though, as the part is so cheap, it seems foolish not to.
The welding...well, I'm always looking for an excuse to practice my skills. They certainly need practice. I've got some old 2CV chassis left over from helping a mate change his original chassis for a galvanised one last year, so if it's thick enough, I'll use that.
That will tackle both the hole in the outside of the sill...and the one that's developing on the inside (thereby addressing one of the advisories too).
Looks like some of that Waxoyl will have to come off. Best take the carpets out too so I don't set fire to them....
I'll get to the brake hoses another time once I have a a years test.
Ah...a year's test.
Said with the optimism of a man yet to remove the carpets on his mid-90s Citroën.
Removing the seats is easy - the rear just unclips, and the fronts need 4 t40 torx bolts removing.
A few Phillips screws later to remove the plastic trim and you can lift the carpet to reveal the sopping wet sound deadening.
Bugger.
Once you've peeled that out the way, your eyes will be drawn to the brown crusty patch in the otherwise blue floor. Some slight investigation with a wire brush later et voilà!
Merde.
Still, as my friend with the 2CV says; "it's a Citroen. They all do that sir."
Still, I'll give it a go as I'm too stubborn to quit!
I'll get the power tools on it tomorrow hopefully and clean it up before seeing how many holes I can put in the chassis with an overly powerful welder....
In other news, the link pipe I bought is wrong - it's about 6" too short.
Double merde.
I also can't find the caulking gun, so haven't tackled the headlight yet with the tiger seal.
Let's hope the week improves!
Said with the optimism of a man yet to remove the carpets on his mid-90s Citroën.
Removing the seats is easy - the rear just unclips, and the fronts need 4 t40 torx bolts removing.
A few Phillips screws later to remove the plastic trim and you can lift the carpet to reveal the sopping wet sound deadening.
Bugger.
Once you've peeled that out the way, your eyes will be drawn to the brown crusty patch in the otherwise blue floor. Some slight investigation with a wire brush later et voilà!
Merde.
Still, as my friend with the 2CV says; "it's a Citroen. They all do that sir."
Still, I'll give it a go as I'm too stubborn to quit!
I'll get the power tools on it tomorrow hopefully and clean it up before seeing how many holes I can put in the chassis with an overly powerful welder....
In other news, the link pipe I bought is wrong - it's about 6" too short.
Double merde.
I also can't find the caulking gun, so haven't tackled the headlight yet with the tiger seal.
Let's hope the week improves!
A week of being on call left me not much time for the AX unfortunately, then I was in London for a couple of days visiting a friend.
However, I managed to make some progress on my return, and will see what happens tomorrow when I drop it off for a retest.
Not particularly pleased with some of the 'fixes' I've had to put in place, much more bodgit & scarper than I like to do, but circumstances have made me desperate!
Firstly - the headlights. I can buy a brand new set, for a LHD car for £80-odd. I can get a set from a scrapyard in unknown condition for £100, or I could make these ones wobble less.
Had to choose the bodge on the grounds of cost:
It no longer wobbles and will hopefully pass without me spending £100 on the scrapper set.
The exhaust was much more of a pain. I highlighted to the seller that the part was wrong. They investigated, and came back with the response that the link pipe they supplied is compatible with the cat forward section from the same supplier. I'm not disputing that, but it didn't fit my AX as it's too short.
Having enough of eBay, I tried the local factors...who looked at the fiches and tried to sell me the cat and the link pipe (along with springs, clips and everything else).
Fortunately, they're sensible, and we had a chat about options.
The external diameter of the link pipe is 45mm and they can supply a sleeve about 8" long with an internal diameter of 45.5mm....
Time to take a grinder to the eBay pipe!
With the application of gun gum, a lot of swearing, some broken bolts and the exhaust hanger from the back box being bent into a new position, I now have an exhaust. It's not quite where Citroën originally intended it to be....but it's well secured and once the gun gum has hardened, shouldn't leak from the joints (it's only the tiniest puff at the moment).
The old one put up a fight coming off:
It was rotten too:
A little bit of bodging....
Now the main event, the killer of old Citroens...rust.
Further investigations with the angle grinder and wire cup had revealed the full nature of the issue:
I'd bent a couple of bits of old 2CV chassis into an approximation of the plates I needed, and then used my awful welding skills. The plates are solidly attached, just look bad!
A spot of grinding later (and they still look bad):
Double checked them for integrity though, and they're all ok, so a coat of primer had been applied, and one coat of Hammerite.
More Hammerite tomorrow, then Waxoyl, then a retest. Hopefully the bodging will see me right.
However, I managed to make some progress on my return, and will see what happens tomorrow when I drop it off for a retest.
Not particularly pleased with some of the 'fixes' I've had to put in place, much more bodgit & scarper than I like to do, but circumstances have made me desperate!
Firstly - the headlights. I can buy a brand new set, for a LHD car for £80-odd. I can get a set from a scrapyard in unknown condition for £100, or I could make these ones wobble less.
Had to choose the bodge on the grounds of cost:
It no longer wobbles and will hopefully pass without me spending £100 on the scrapper set.
The exhaust was much more of a pain. I highlighted to the seller that the part was wrong. They investigated, and came back with the response that the link pipe they supplied is compatible with the cat forward section from the same supplier. I'm not disputing that, but it didn't fit my AX as it's too short.
Having enough of eBay, I tried the local factors...who looked at the fiches and tried to sell me the cat and the link pipe (along with springs, clips and everything else).
Fortunately, they're sensible, and we had a chat about options.
The external diameter of the link pipe is 45mm and they can supply a sleeve about 8" long with an internal diameter of 45.5mm....
Time to take a grinder to the eBay pipe!
With the application of gun gum, a lot of swearing, some broken bolts and the exhaust hanger from the back box being bent into a new position, I now have an exhaust. It's not quite where Citroën originally intended it to be....but it's well secured and once the gun gum has hardened, shouldn't leak from the joints (it's only the tiniest puff at the moment).
The old one put up a fight coming off:
It was rotten too:
A little bit of bodging....
Now the main event, the killer of old Citroens...rust.
Further investigations with the angle grinder and wire cup had revealed the full nature of the issue:
I'd bent a couple of bits of old 2CV chassis into an approximation of the plates I needed, and then used my awful welding skills. The plates are solidly attached, just look bad!
A spot of grinding later (and they still look bad):
Double checked them for integrity though, and they're all ok, so a coat of primer had been applied, and one coat of Hammerite.
More Hammerite tomorrow, then Waxoyl, then a retest. Hopefully the bodging will see me right.
InitialDave said:
Been doing similar patching myself this weekend. I usually run around the seam with something to make sure any pinholes are sealed up, makes it look a bit neater once sanded back as well, though my primary concern is eliminating small pits that rust could restart in.
Also, I bloody hate welding upside down!
Good advice that, cheers. As you can see, I'm always looking to improve my welding.... Also, I bloody hate welding upside down!
I agree about the upsidedown part as well, everyone loves getting covered in gravity assisted spatter right....?
Anyway, VICTORY IS MINE:
I was so pleated, I went and filled up, jet-washed the car and then put an all important sticker on the rear windscreen!
Now for the advisories and other bits....
@InitalDave - ouch! That's good advice, I'll stick on the protection I use for grinding then the next time I'm playing with the welder....
@Spinakerr - thanks, I won't say I enjoyed every minute, but I was pleased when the hard work paid off...
I think that I need to address where the water is getting in and making the sound deadening wet, otherwise, I'm going to be in exactly the same position next year.
I also want to deal more permanently with the B pillar corrosion I found earlier to stop it getting worse. The Krust was only a quick winter holding repair.
I've looked at brake hoses and they seem to be about £10/side, so I'll do those then refresh the fluid at the same tim.
Both driveshafts need doing (I already have them and the gearbox oil, but I wanted to do the Test failures first) as the CV joints are knocking.
There are a few minor items as well - taking a better look at the stereo I put in as it seems to lose its settings every time, indicating it's missing a permanent live. Treating the surface rust on the wiper arms and painting them black....and of course the scabby wheels!
All of this however, should probably be done once I have the Corrado MOT-ed so there is a useable car in the household!
Cheers,
Tom
@Spinakerr - thanks, I won't say I enjoyed every minute, but I was pleased when the hard work paid off...
I think that I need to address where the water is getting in and making the sound deadening wet, otherwise, I'm going to be in exactly the same position next year.
I also want to deal more permanently with the B pillar corrosion I found earlier to stop it getting worse. The Krust was only a quick winter holding repair.
I've looked at brake hoses and they seem to be about £10/side, so I'll do those then refresh the fluid at the same tim.
Both driveshafts need doing (I already have them and the gearbox oil, but I wanted to do the Test failures first) as the CV joints are knocking.
There are a few minor items as well - taking a better look at the stereo I put in as it seems to lose its settings every time, indicating it's missing a permanent live. Treating the surface rust on the wiper arms and painting them black....and of course the scabby wheels!
All of this however, should probably be done once I have the Corrado MOT-ed so there is a useable car in the household!
Cheers,
Tom
The Corrado passed its MOT so there is something with 4 wheels that can be used as required. Hence it was the AX's turn in the garage to deal with a couple of things.
Top of the list had to be the driveshafts. There was some serious knocking when cornering and as I already had the parts, I thought I should get stuck in.
A bit of twin jack action later and it was up on stands:
With the wheels off, I was faced with some corroded hub nuts:
and then set about draining the gearbox oil. The 8mm square drain plug tool was of course the wrong size (too big) so I took a trip to Halfords to get the right size one. They don't sell anything smaller then an 8mm square one, so I took the grinder to the existing one (and ordered another set).
5 minutes of not seeing fire to anything later, I could get stuck in draining the oil:
A lot of swarf was attached to both magnetic plugs which I'm hoping isn't a bad sign (I suspect the gearbox oil is original).
With the oil draining, I could set about the hub nuts using cunning, innovation, a rattle gun, heat, bad language and eventually, a large breaker bar and my leg muscles.
The nearside one needed more innovation having bent a steel bar. It couldn't resist physics forget, and an old stretcher bar rescued from Barrow Hill sorted it out:
After that, it was following the book of lies to remove the track rod connection and wishbone to hub bolts:
Got both shafts done over the weekend, but couldn't get the offside driveshaft oil seal out (not for want of trying). I had to connect myself with greasing it up and crossing my fingers....
Refilling the gearbox oil wasn't too bad although I had to temporarily remove some plastic (read snap off the 24 year old fastenings):
Luckily the bike fairing push pin kit sorted it:
I also have made a start on the wheels and wiper arms, so a pretty productive weekend so far. I'm much more excited than I should be about the wheels. This is a £500 cooking AX - I know I shouldn't be devoting the time to it, I should be out riding or something, but I'm really enjoying it!
Top of the list had to be the driveshafts. There was some serious knocking when cornering and as I already had the parts, I thought I should get stuck in.
A bit of twin jack action later and it was up on stands:
With the wheels off, I was faced with some corroded hub nuts:
and then set about draining the gearbox oil. The 8mm square drain plug tool was of course the wrong size (too big) so I took a trip to Halfords to get the right size one. They don't sell anything smaller then an 8mm square one, so I took the grinder to the existing one (and ordered another set).
5 minutes of not seeing fire to anything later, I could get stuck in draining the oil:
A lot of swarf was attached to both magnetic plugs which I'm hoping isn't a bad sign (I suspect the gearbox oil is original).
With the oil draining, I could set about the hub nuts using cunning, innovation, a rattle gun, heat, bad language and eventually, a large breaker bar and my leg muscles.
The nearside one needed more innovation having bent a steel bar. It couldn't resist physics forget, and an old stretcher bar rescued from Barrow Hill sorted it out:
After that, it was following the book of lies to remove the track rod connection and wishbone to hub bolts:
Got both shafts done over the weekend, but couldn't get the offside driveshaft oil seal out (not for want of trying). I had to connect myself with greasing it up and crossing my fingers....
Refilling the gearbox oil wasn't too bad although I had to temporarily remove some plastic (read snap off the 24 year old fastenings):
Luckily the bike fairing push pin kit sorted it:
I also have made a start on the wheels and wiper arms, so a pretty productive weekend so far. I'm much more excited than I should be about the wheels. This is a £500 cooking AX - I know I shouldn't be devoting the time to it, I should be out riding or something, but I'm really enjoying it!
The wheels...yes, the wheels. Silver painted, covered by wheel trims on 2 out of the 4, and where it had hung under the car for 23 years, rusty. Overall not good.
Still, as a runaround, it wasn't a case of lovingly stripping them of their tyres and refurbishing them, just making them a bit better than they were. Inspired by 106 Rallyes and a Citroën 2CV, I wanted to go white to contrast with the blue paint.
A £1 brush from Wilco, a £10 tin of enamel paint from Aldi, some masking tape, some K-rust and a wire brush later....
Makes me smile every time I look at it!
I also gave a coat of Hammerite to the rusty wipers and fitted the OE mudguards that I bought last year:
Yes, I know they look slightly askew, but are in line with the bumper, so are equally askew on each side, and I assume, correct!
They also make me smile though!
The test drive showed that neither gearbox nor driveshafts complained more than they had before work was done (the knocking from the CV joint has disappeared along with the old CV joint unsurprisingly), and it's now back in service as the runaround.
Definitely not painting the bonnet next, oh no...
Still, as a runaround, it wasn't a case of lovingly stripping them of their tyres and refurbishing them, just making them a bit better than they were. Inspired by 106 Rallyes and a Citroën 2CV, I wanted to go white to contrast with the blue paint.
A £1 brush from Wilco, a £10 tin of enamel paint from Aldi, some masking tape, some K-rust and a wire brush later....
Makes me smile every time I look at it!
I also gave a coat of Hammerite to the rusty wipers and fitted the OE mudguards that I bought last year:
Yes, I know they look slightly askew, but are in line with the bumper, so are equally askew on each side, and I assume, correct!
They also make me smile though!
The test drive showed that neither gearbox nor driveshafts complained more than they had before work was done (the knocking from the CV joint has disappeared along with the old CV joint unsurprisingly), and it's now back in service as the runaround.
Definitely not painting the bonnet next, oh no...
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