Door Hinges - CITROEN XM Internet Reference

31 Door hinges

The Body
31 Door hinges
(Note this happens on my XM as well - here is an idea on how to cure it taken from the CS list)
It is more a rule than an exception that the door hinges on CX's makes a loud clicking noise when you
open a door. The symptom also gets worse with time.
With time the little steel plate that holds the U shaped hinge lock pin together will get worn and the holes
in it larger. This along with play in the lock pin mounts will make the mechanism snap.
What you do is make a new plate from 3-5mm thick steel with new holes with a snug fit on the lock pin.
Use the old plate as a template for the new one and place the holes a bit closer together than on the
original. It is important that the size of the holes are exact. Preferably the holes are so small you have to
drive the plate to position with a hammer. This will ensure there is no play. Also when reassembling the
locking mechanism put MolySlip grease (dark grey goo) everywhere. Moly slip is the only grease that
we've found can take the high surface pressure. If you use something else the door will start creaking.
After the operation the door will sound as new... that is... not at all!
The trick is to get the hole precise and a bit closer. By putting them a bit closer the U-shaped pin won't
be in straight angle (90degrees) anymore and the "two" pins won't be parallell. This will make the snap
much softer since it then "creeps" over the locking cam.
Both my CX's have had all four doors done with great results. Other CX owner are usually quite
impressed by the silent hinges.
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