I'm still doing preparation work that will ultimately allow me to paint the chassis and engine bay. Next up is removal of the anti-roll bar and the half axles (the units that the suspension arms are connected-to).
There are two threaded sleeves on the ends of the anti-roll bar. These link the bar to the pivots that operate the front suspension cylinders. The sleeves are held in place by two substantial clamps.
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| The sleeve is within the two clamps |
It is very wise to take measurements of the length and set up of the sleeves as there correct adjustment when refitting is crucial to the proper operation of the suspension and steering. Removal and set-up instructions are in manual 814 at Operations D.410-00 and D.434-1 and in the earlier manual 518 at Operation DX.410-1. Be aware that the lengths of the two sides are deliberately meant to differ. By 1mm...With the grease nipples removed from each joint, I took a basic measurement of the overall length from the two flat spots - just in case. My measurements varied by 2mm - but that is probably due to my lazy choice of measuring tool!
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| I tried to take measurements of the length |
I loosened the clamps on the sleeves. Note that as well as being different lengths, the sleeves are different in anther significant way. The longer threaded sleeve on the left hand end of the bar has two opposite threads: as you rotate the sleeve to remove it, it will push the two ends of the rod apart until they separate. The shorter sleeve on the right hand end of the bar has a conventional thread on both ends: as you rotate the sleeve it will move along onto one or other end piece until the other end piece is released. The sleeves have a fine thread (to allow for small adjustments) and so take a while to unwind....
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| I took more measurements.... |
Next I disengaged the anti-rattle springs. If they haven't already fallen off at some point in the past.....You can just about see the tabs that hold these to the chassis from the top. If the engine is removed!
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| The tab is folded over the seam |
Make sure your car is properly supported on jack stands or similar. Don't take any chances working under your car. All set? Right, once you are down there, you will see that the springs hook around the anti-roll bar.
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| Hard to see: anti-rattle spring |
With the tab bent back,from under the car you can wiggle these around and disengage them from the anti-roll bar.
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| One of two anti-rattle springs |
While underneath I also loosened the connections on the rods that link to the front height corrector and the light-dipping cable. These had special Citroen bolts (not hex-headed) but can be replaced with standard bolts. The rod on the left connects to the front height corrector. Though most later cars will, I don't think all cars have the rod on the right hand end. It is part of the light levelling function.
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| Connecting rod clamps on the right - with special headed screws |
Lastly, the clamps and bearings at each end of the bar were removed. The two caps are specific to the ends of the bar - don't muddle them. Also note that the two 'U' clamps on each end are different shapes deliberately. It's not that one has become bent....
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| Removing an anti-roll bar clamp |
Careful - as in addition to the plastic bearings, there are shims (spacers) within these that are easily missed.
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| Shims in the anti-roll bar clamps |
Once the clamps are disengaged the anti-roll bar can be removed. It comes out from the left hand side and takes a bit of wiggling and manipulation. But it's very satisfying when it slides free.
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| Anti-roll bar removed |
Removing the anti-roll bar left me free to remove the half axles. The suspension cylinders were easily removed. Just two bolts either side at the top.........
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| One of two bolts holding a suspension cylinder |
....and a split pin at the bottom.
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| A split pin hold the suspension cylinder to the pivot |
And so with everything else out of the way, removing the half axles was simply a case of removing three bolts and a nut each side.
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| Half axle - mounting bolts |
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| Half axle removed |
Now I could see what I was up against: years of dirt and grease.
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| Lots of cleaning ahead..... |
