DS Pallas Restoration

michaelr said:
Time for an update. :)



I am pleased I did almost all the work on this car myself from grinding and welding through painting and trim work. Admittedly it is not all 100% professional but I have really enjoyed the process. Far from being older than when I started it has had a rejuvenating effect and I have many new friends. I am sure I am going to enjoy many years of driving enjoyment. The car is sound and rust free, that has to be a good start.
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That is an astounding achievement Michael, a real credit to you. To bring a car back from the brink is one thing but you have done more than that! From one that is all too aware of the many pitfalls and challenges and of course the rewards I salute you :approve: :citroen: :approve:

Now get her on the road and enjoy :wink2:

Cheers
Chris
 
Hi Michael,

When you go to the tyre fitters, ask that they use the stick on weights that go on the inside of the wheels. They'll baulk and say that it's difficult, but it can be done.

It's worth doing this way as the weights that they would otherwise clip onto the face side of your newly painted wheels will chip your new paint and they will also foul the hub caps and cause them to stand too proud of the wheels and I'd guess fall off if they're loose.

The seats look great by the way. As does the rest of the car. I look forward to seeing it.
 
That looks fantastic. They really do look far better with the headlight housings painted body colour too :)

seeya,
Shane L.
 
Bounge said:
Michael ,

Glad that i sold it to you

Pat on the back there , Happy to see you actually done her up as it deserved it , Hope she drives as she looks.

Cheers

Philippe
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Thanks Philippe,

You really looked after me with all the odd and ends you included in the sale. The set of 4 doors from the "flood" came up well and I have mostly figured out where all the other boxes of bits go :roflmao:

I will be around to show you the car when it is on the road!

See you at the French Car Day?
 
DoubleChevron said:
That looks fantastic. They really do look far better with the headlight housings painted body colour too :)

seeya,
Shane L.
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Yes, not quite the right colour! Actually it is not "body colour" but I sprayed them with a can of Mazda "Champagne Silver" I had. I wanted a warmer colour to go with the Beige Thonolet.
 
Well that DS looks just lovely and you can park it in my driveway anyday you like!
 
michaelr said:
Thanks Philippe,

You really looked after me with all the odd and ends you included in the sale. The set of 4 doors from the "flood" came up well and I have mostly figured out where all the other boxes of bits go :roflmao:

I will be around to show you the car when it is on the road!

See you at the French Car Day?
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Hi ,

Michael would be nice to see her but i have moved from parramatta and now in guildford west , but i will be at the french car day , i look forward to seeing you there


oh and i do now have a new project a 63 ID19 aussie built i just love the early ones and could not let this car pass under my nose
 
It was easy really! I don't know why I put off doing the engine mounts for so long. Following instructions from SKP and the loan of the hard to get Crows Foot spanners, (Thanks very much Stuart) it all went smoothly with no more equipment than two axle stands and a bottle jack.

But removing the flexi exhaust pipe and re attaching took about two hours :blackeye:

The passenger side mount was not so bad but the exhaust side had completely collapsed and was bulging out the bottom. No wonder there was some vibration :)
 

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I have had a couple of productive weekends. Unfortunately I have had to work all week for the last couple of months which has slowed be down a bit. On the plus side extra work results in extra income so I don't feel so guilty spending on my Goddess. Not that it ever stopped me :)

Last weekend was a great one for cosmetics as I fitted a new windscreen plus swapped over the rear glass for one I had tinted. It really lifted the appearance but there was no way I could get the new windscreen seal in single handed.. after 4 hours of frustration I gave up and fitted the new screen with the old rubber. Maybe I need to take it to an expert, but DS windscreen experts are scarce on the ground I think.

I also fitted a set of seat belts, inertia reel, in the front so now the car is ready for a blue slip, not that it is "finished" but at least it is road worthy. I will make a posting elsewhere as the company I bought from, SeatSafe, was not only very helpful and efficient but also agreed to a 10% discount for any customer from Aussie Frogs. Ask for Kerry.

This weekend was again beautiful weather and again with it's fair share of frustration. I fitted a set of front pads which I bought from Gus at CCC NSW (what a great service!) and while I was at it thought I should change the transmission oil. All I got out was 1 liter of iced coffee :rolleyes: How does the water get in? It was definitely emulsified. I put back a couple of liters of fresh oil and will drain it again after the car is on the road and warm.

I also had the pleasure of pulling the regulator to swap the sphere for a new one I had bought. The old one was a welded sphere dated 1995 and at a CCC NSW Tech Day had shown barely acceptable pressure one year ago. I interpreted the rapid pump cycling time as being due to a low pressure accumulator. After much cursing (my french is improving) and contortions the new welded sphere was in place so I fired her up... and the pump cycle is unchanged :cry:. How can this be since I know that old accumulator was low on pressure? I wish I had checked the pressure of the new sphere before installation.
 

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Here is a milestone in my progress. My DS passed a rego check today so I will get some plates tomorrow and be on the road. The Blue Slip was quite painless after I showed the inspector where everything is. I thought it best to stay and assist in the process.

I added a few essential details before I went to the inspection station... thanks Greenblood!
 

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michaelr said:
Here is a milestone in my progress. My DS passed a rego check today so I will get some plates tomorrow and be on the road. The Blue Slip was quite painless after I showed the inspector where everything is. I thought it best to stay and assist in the process.

I added a few essential details before I went to the inspection station... thanks Greenblood!
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A milestone indeed, congratulations time for a good bottle of French wine :cheers:

What a great acheivement bringing so many skills together, seems like yesterday we were looking at the bare hulk. I'm really thrilled for you, get out and enjoy it now :dance:

Cheers
Chris
 
Well done, no one knows how much effort you put in to get it back on the road except you, so a smug look is acceptable as you cruise around town becoming better aquainted with the lady.

The more I see of these cars the more I want one, even though the plumbing and gadgetry is a little off putting.

Makes me want to put one foot out of the Renault camp sometimes......
 
:headbang::headbang::headbang:

Well done Michael!

I look forward to seeing it in the flesh.
 
Great News Michael..... What a journey you have had and won....

Another DS saved and beautifully done...

Just had to attache the pictures to remind you of where it all started.

:cheers: :headbang: :headbang:

best wishes

Colin
 

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My car has driven 250 miles in the last 11 years, and all in the last few days. I have a few teething problems but generally the car has behaved very well. It has even been visiting other Citroen friends!

Today I took her to an exhaust specialist. Niel at Cortis Exhaust in Mona Vale is a bit of a wizard and made up a set of stainless tail pipes for me. Amazingly he had not only drawings and specs for the DS but even had a template so all fits well.

Not many problems really but a couple I could take some advice on.

1. The return line from the regulator has many tiny air bubbles in the LHM ( I have a clear filter between regulator and reservoir) and since I have fitted a new supply hose to the pump I can only assume that there is a fault with the fitting that holds the filter in the reservoir. Are these available anywhere?

2. An interesting fault in the speedometer. It reads properly normally but at around 50 mph it stops registering and drops back to 20mph. When I slow down again the readings return to normal. Baffling :confused:
 

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michaelr said:
2. An interesting fault in the speedometer. It reads properly normally but at around 50 mph it stops registering and drops back to 20mph. When I slow down again the readings return to normal. Baffling :confused:
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Hi Michael,
Sounds like the dog on the back of the speedo is worn, when it is spun up the cable slips? Either that or the end of a speedo cable is worn - this could be at the speedo end/ middle connection or the gearbox end.

If it helps I have a few spare KPH and one MPH cluster you are welcome to :wink2:

Cheers
Chris
 
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