Andrew

One of the French Diravi seller's other pictures shows the ignition switch location ie the round clamp to the left of '147'. From what I remember turning the ignition switch on retracts the perpendicular spring loaded locking bolt from the notch in the steering pinion.

It is a great shame Diravi wasn't fitted to UK supplied XM's - it really is a brilliant system once you re-educate yourself to it's peculiarities. Ah well, C'est la vie!

Ken

You're quite right Ken - God it must've been a loooooong time since I've messed
about with a CX steering column (fortunately!! )

Andrew

Is the fault on my car likely to have happened over a period of time, or can these things simply 'let go'? Just curious.

I've not had this failure myself on the many Cx's I've got but believe it's a gradual
degradation over a period of time. There is of course a possibility the fluid flow
could be restricted with immediate consequences to the assistance in the steering
system so it can't be absolute/100% certain and not very helpful in an argument
where it could show blatant negligence/ignorance/deliberate misrepresentation etc...

Great help I am - sorry Phil!

Andrew

I would say over a period of time. The problem is caused by gradual wear in the Diravi control unit (which is grease lubricated and nominally sealed for life ie no periodic maintenance specified). The symptoms first appear as a reduction of power assistance whilst turning left. The right hand steering remains unaffected. Gradually the power assistance on left turns largely disappears and it is a real effort to turn the steering wheel and can be hazardous if a swift turn is called for.

That was certainly my CX experience - however after the fix described previously it was still going stong when I sold it at 135K miles (too much rust was appearing and I was fed up being cold due the crap heating system!)

What mileage has your CX done?

Ken

PS I'd recommend a chat to Martin at Pleiades (expert witness maybe?), after all they overhaul hydraulic parts for a living so they have probably forgotten more than I know.

I have seen it done, but doesn't towing an XM on an trailer with another XM exceed the recommended maximum weight limit (ie weight of car + trailer).
You can probably get away with it but if plod decides to be awkward and check the tow car's VIN plate then there might be some explaining to do. Using a 4X4 tow vehicle would be a safer bet.

What experience have other members had of recovering XM's by trailer?

Ken

Thats why i wouldnt try it, its too risky. Ill have to find a 4x4 to use if im ever in the need to recover another car.

Looking at the specs, my Xm weights 1440 unladen, it can tow a braked trailer of 1300 so it couldnt even tow itself!

Incase anyone wants to know, the V6 and diesel Xms can tow 1500, the petrol turbo is 1300.

Interestingly the 'tow hitch download' for all hatch models is 110 Kg but for the estate its only 80Kg

DIRAVI is superb for the tricky maneuvering a big piece of kit around non existent spaces
especially with it's powered self centering!! Anyhow, don't forget full assistance is available
at slow speeds and less is on tap when you go faster.

I've found towing with a similar weight car has always been OK with the Cx and Xm over the
past 18 years as far as being stopped/plod interest etc is concerned? Had traffic cars pass me
on the motorway without any problems on many occasions over many different Constabulary
areas. Maybe I'm just lucky, but ascribe to the view that if you appear to be taking safety
seriously with securing the vehicle with a correctly distributed load and run a self leveling BIG
Citroen you'll be left alone. Famous last words now no doubt...





but for the best tow vehicle you can get:



Sorry If I'm boring folk who've heard/seen this before but you did ask!!

Andrew

No your not boring me I thought id seen pictures of your cars before towing others. The red Cx looks fantastic Nice pictures.

Just to keep my post on topic, i came across this earlier: DIRAVI Helps explain a few things to the novice

Stay on topic!!!!!!?

We ARE talking about this totally fabulous invention called DIRAVI steering
AND HOW GREAT/SAFE IT IS FOR TOWING!! OK, OK, great when it's working - sorry Phil.

(well I suppose I'm talking about it and I'm not biased whatsoever...
...godammit - there isn't a smiley for innocently whistling... )

AND we ARE in a CX section of the Xm club forum!

Andrew

Brilliant pictures Andrew.

The Safari picture brings back nostalgic memories of my Meteor Grey 2.5 diesel which my uneducated neighbour used to disparagingly refer to as the 'hearse'.

Ken

The previous owner put a big yellow smiley sticker on the back which I've left on as he
got fed up with references to it being a hearse!! Thinking about it, folk seem to keep out
of my way when I'm in it...

Andrew

The dealer has been sent a letter recorded delivery asking that the car is collected and the money refunded within 14 days. Having spoken with the thoroughly decent Martin at Pleiades, it seems the problem my CX has is:

1. Not unknown
2. A danger to me and to other road users
3. Likely to have worsened to its current condition over several months, and therefore there is little doubt it was a pre-existing fault
4. £170 parts plus fitting to rectify, though he said it would require 6 hours (!) minimum

I do not think I am being unreasonable in rejecting the car, particularly as the dealer is a self styled Citroen specialist. I mean, hello?

That sounds like a good solution really, you can always find another.

So the dealer you bought it from is not interested in repairing it FOC for you? Or are there other things wrong with it?

Once you have had a bad start with a car, its often best to start again with another and hopefully more reliable one!