Citroen BX 4X4 Rebuild

[barry badger]

Mine has a leak from the right hand gearbox seal which keeps the splines lubricated, i just need to top the gearbox up every 3 to 4 months. I plan to rebuild the gearbox at some stage and replace the clutch but I need to devise a way to keep the splines lubricated once the seal is replaced. I've fitted an undertray to keep roadspray off the splines.
That rear floor looks fantastic have you painted it or is it original.

[djm666]

I stripped the floor back with a wire wheel grinder. Welded new steel in then a 2 layers of 2 pot epoxy, then 3 coats of stone guard. I am a lot happier now. And the moisture should not get into the steel again. I will load some more pics soon as I am starting the front section. As soon as the Xm is finished and out of the workshop lol

[djm666]

Also sounds like your 4x4 is in good hands. So it is leaking from the gearbox and not the transfer box? As long as thre is some oil there it should be fine. I have known some BX's to throw a diff bolt and punch a hole in the case and run for 100000 miles on a splash of oil every 5000 miles. The gearbox's are bullet proof in them lol just the transfer splines on the 4x4 are the only let down. I will look into changing mine for a different design maybe one day. Until then I source new transfer and gearbox shafts lol
How is yours other than that?

[barry badger]

I think the design of the splines is ok but what isn't is the fact that they run dry once the factory lubrication dries out. I've seen shafts that other people have had made with fewer but more substantial looking splines but I think they are ultimately weaker because of the smaller surface area. I have a spare transfer box and gearbox for mine, just in case. Mine is generally ok apart from a slightly noisy gearbox, i think the previous owner ran it with the gearbox oil low as when I bought it it was very neglected, a raspy exhaust although it's not blowing and a very slight leak from under the roof capping at the nsf.
I did all of the underside of mine with a die grinder and many wire wheels followed by lots of dinitrol underbody wax, it doesn't look as good as yours but I think it's fairly weatherproofed. I'll wash it all and inspect it again in the summer.

[djm666]

It take a lot of work to keep a 4x4 going. But it really is a brilliant bit of kit. I have never had so much fun in a car as I have had in mine.
I have got a little bit more work to do then it will be ready for the compliance road check that they have here in nz.
Got the rear arms to do on my tzd this week. Ready for the track day next week.
And yes I have not seem many successful attempts at repairing the splines. I found it best to order the new bits for gearbox and transfer from citroen. I ordered 2 of each when I had mine apart. And I have a brand new transfer box so I should be ok for the meanwhile.
I don't know if Citroen still do the bits or if you would get the big nla from them.

[barry badger]

I've tried! nla!

[djm666]

Bugger. When I was in the uk I did hear of place that could rebuild cogs and gears, that could be something to keep in mind. Other than that I find not worrying helps. As if and when something goes wrong I always seem to find a way to fix it.

[barry badger]

I made enquiries a couple of years ago about having new shafts made and there are a few specialists that can make them. I never got as far as prices though.
Anything that's been made can be re-made, it's just a question of price.

[cfh]

Hi,

I bought my BX estate new in 1990, travelled Europe and have done 130,00 +miles. Original gearbox, transaxle, engine. I took it off the road, SORN, due to centre propshaft bearing surround failure some years ago. I cannot sell it as it is the best car I ever owned. I did own 3 BX Estates, one for my Son, one for my Wife, and mine.
Current problems are: Centre propshaft bearing renewal, Radio (Criterion), screenwasher tube, suspension sphere checks, two new spheres fitted before SORN and possible starter motor??? When I took it off the road it had a current M.O.T.
It would benefit from new Brakes (discs & pads) all round. Clutch is original and still good. This has been an exceptional car. I tried to buy a complete centre propshaft bearing some years ago including from France but I was not successful [A Mitsu L200 unit looks as though it may fit?]. The very special bolts that connect the spline at the location are difficult to remove, Citroen do not have the special tool for removing so it seems to be an angle grinder job.
I have experienced this difficulty with work on propshafts before. the car drives but only very slowly due to the centre prop bearing problem.

If I could source a centre prop bearing with new centre prop connector bolts I would fit them and do other work as above and put it back on the road again.

Your rebuilds have inspired me, I enjoyed reading of your exploits. I regret having sold my other two BX 4x4's. The current BX managed 118mph in Germany on one occassion but was always happy and willing cruising @ 80-90

CFH Suffolk.

BX 4x4 estate
Nissan Almera 5 door Hatch
Mercedes 2600 auto 4matic
Honda Jazz 1.4 8spark.

[citsncycles]

It's been great looking at these pics again and reading up on work on 4x4's - I'm hoping to get mine recommissioned sometime in the spring so that it can get to a couple of shows while I find the last few bits to get it up to scratch. It failed it's last MOT on rear brakes (which were done) then developed a wiring fault, but that was at least 12 years ago, and since then it has gone further on transporters than under its own power!

[Van gogh]

Wow, all-wheel drive I have ever seen. Good luck.

[djm666]

My god how time flys.
I Have been a terrible BX owner for a while not doing anything to the BX's is making me feel horrible. So I ordered the paint yesterday and hope to be getting the 4x4 rebuild moving again.

[cfh]

Hello to all,
I have hopefully found a supplier for a centre prop bearing, complete, for Citroen BX 4x4 estate. I have read items here about worn prop spines, this Company may well have the answer so I post the WEB details for anyone interested:- http://www.parkinsons.co.uk/shafts" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. They have a number of addresses in England so should be easy to locate. I have not used them as yet, waiting for there reply to my enquiries. I hope this is useful.
Regards Chris

[MULLEY]

Let us know how you get on, this could potentially save a few cars that are currently off the road with just this issue.

[Kaapelimies]

Hello to all,
I have hopefully found a supplier for a centre prop bearing, complete, for Citroen BX 4x4 estate.

Hello.

Please tell us when you receive if it's a direct fit. I have one modified from a Mercedes W123 part, it needs some 22mm bushes in between and leaves the shaft hanging a little bit too low, so it isn't straight and my newly fitted (12kmiles or so) rubber thingy behind the bearing has started to tear into pieces.