Citroën Xsara Picasso Front Spring Replacement

Today we repLace the front spring on a Citroën Xsara Picasso. It is the 1.6 petrol engine on this model and the failure is a common and known issue, some models had the recall work done with a guard fitted on the McPherson strut.

[@markwilliams2830]

Excellent Video Max.Love your methodical real world situation oily approach.I fully understand your comments regarding the safety when dealing with compressed coil springs.I've had a few scary instances doing them.I always try and get three spring clamps on and even then try to lash them with chain or rope . For anyone doing this for the first time I would certainly advise using the type you have.They are expensive compared to the less substansial cheaper types you see on Ebay.The cheaper type can move and slide around alarmingly so to any one using them proceed with caution and follow the steps in this Video.

[@maxautouk]

Thanks for that Mark, in a honestly if you have the option I'd use a proper floor mounted hydraulic compressor for safety... But that is not always available to everyone

[@swedishkev]

Hi Mark really need your help , put the right spring back having hell with the left side. Have you a whatsapp or messenger, email even need to send a few pics . Really wanted this finished today. Cant get ball joint in , the disc and spring ,strut is looseish but can not push in everything,inwards one cm to get ball joint in. And steering is weird, right side pointing outwards and left side is straight. Please help me,kevin

[@maxautouk]

Yeah sure you can get me at [e-mail]

[@swedishkev]

@@maxautouk sent an email and pics Max.

[@maxautouk]

👍🏽

[@PiggyPower]

is everything wet and soggy over there?

[@maxautouk]

Yes all the time

[@swedishkev]

Hi again Max, l am on the other side now,going much quicker, when you take that ball joint out, with that long metal bar at 9:24, yours seems to drop down more than mine,and out of the way, mine seems in the way of the next stage of hammering the sleeve out to release the strut. It feels like l can not get that ball joint out the way and could damage it to hammer down that sleeve 5-6cms . Dovyou get what l mean?

[@maxautouk]

It’s tough to picture but yes you split the ball joint out of the bottom of the hub, that allows the hub itself to come much lower down otherwise the bushes on the lower arm apply upward pressure which makes it harder to lever down

[@swedishkev]

@@maxautouk ok,l got it, its down ,thanks once again.

[@maxautouk]

@@swedishkev anytime 😁

[@swedishkev]

​@@maxautouk Hi again Max, l am wanting to do the sensible thing and go and get the springs compressed at a garage, it will cost about 100 pound here. I have the tools like you, do you think its possible to compress the spring with it lying on the ground, as in safer or does it need to be upright , hmmm perhaps the same damger exists, because ,it is more likely to explode side ways rather than forwards what do you think. I have done one before in a vice upright now l have 2 to do, and feel a bit uneasy.

[@maxautouk]

@@swedishkev I have done them in the vice and in a proper compressor and on the floor and I’ve never had anything dangerous happen yet you just need to be I slow, safe and steady

[@run66]

is there a certain way up the spring goes or does it seat any end down in the shock

[@maxautouk]

Hi there on mine there is a locating tab at the bottom and I just lined up the top with the old marks the spring left on the top mount although I'm not sure it matters for the top, this job was a while ago now and I can't quite remember it exactly i work on a lot of cars... Hope that helps

[@swedishkev]

Hello mate ,at 701 you seem to use the ratchet clockwise for a few turns ? what is the purpose of the allan key running through the bolt anyway, bit weird ?? good job. Also i have jacked my car up and have perhaps only 10-15cm clearance from disc to the floor, is this going to be an issue ?

[@maxautouk]

You should be ok, the Allen head is to stop the nut from turning once undone because the balljoint in the anti roll bar link will just spin with nothing to counter hold it. The reason for sometimes winding it back in is that if there is too much dirt and corrosion in the threads turning it the other way for a few turns loosens up all the dirt and stops you rounding the Allen key so easily

[@swedishkev]

@@maxautouk Wow, thanks for such a swift reply. I get ja. thanks.

[@maxautouk]

The toughest part of the job is probably getting the balljoint out and making sure you don’t slip the driveshaft out of the gearbox by mistake 😁

[@swedishkev]

@@maxautouk mine is a auto by the way. Thats the bolt lowest down snd then you took the metal bar and tapped with hammer?

[@maxautouk]

Aye yes that’s correct, it can take quite a bit of force to split them but it’s possible!