[Julian Klepacki]

Paul Burridge wrote:

….I’ve now got gaps of about 5mm to 6mm between between doors and the rear wing. Citroen say it should be “within 2mm”!!….

i thought i read the gap should be several millimeters, but within 2mm of each other.
Not the gap should be within 2mm?

This seems unrealistic to me?
I’ve not aligned/spaced my panels, as yet. But know a ~2mm gap will be impossible to reach.

google images of the DS. Every car shown, factoring in scale of the image will have gaps more like 10mm?
a 2mm gap would look almost non-existent in those images?

5-6mm gap? come the time, if i get that, i’ll be well happy.

[Julian Klepacki]

it is somewhat confusing.
i might revisit those ebay latches again after a mental break from it all.
for their cost they’re worth a punt?

[Julian Klepacki]

i once asked about this lock on here, some time ago, if anyone had one.
So, i searched and found my original thread, from back in 2022!
i refer to a front off-side, drivers lock and that would have been from having in my hand so 100%.

looking for a door-catch-latch

i was anonymous then, due to being a lapsed non-member.
You actually put me onto one at Andre Citroen, obviously i never bought it.

so if that IS a front right-side. The photos on sassens are in fact wrong or mirror’d?
The image above from andre (front right) is the same as a front-left from sassens?

Anyway, even though i feel i have some clarity now. I’m still gonna leave it until i get home.
Worst case i can get one from sassens, albeit clearing up the possible mixup of sides?

just for completeness, sassens state locks off a ’71 car. andre state lock is 12/72>
i can’t imagine a difference, once you’re on pull-up handles, locks are all the same, no?

[Julian Klepacki]

That sassens is a good reference, i’ll take it that their photos are correct.
i see that ‘front’ latches have pointy-bit that sticks out with some round bushes or whatever on the end.

regarding that slot etc. i don’t know the ins and outs of the mechanisms.
as far as replacing just the spring, you can see on my circled photo, the spring is under a plate that is stamped-on? i don’t think messing with that is worth it? far easier to just replace the lot.

looking at my photo of the latch with the broken spring and based on sassens photos. it’s actually a left or nearside latch i need. not offside as i thought.

matey selling on ebay has rear latches, identified by being shorter, square’r, without that pointy bit.
two from the same side, based on images. one has a short rod, the other a long rod.

so what is going on, i don’t know. totally confused with it all.
anyway, closer inspection shows the latches for sale, damaged; missing levers, bent, broken springs etc.
so i’m gonna forget the whole affair until i get home in september. get the latch in hand and source one then.

[Julian Klepacki]

i think this the one.
front off side?
i’ve rotated the image to give the orientation, as on the door.

[Julian Klepacki]

yes, the little dogleg rod you’ve circled.
you might be onto something with the idea of simply fitting the correct length rod?
I have no idea how it attaches though? designed to be removable or not?

looking at my original picture at the start.
you can see there is a punch/counter-bore that possibly might lead to a pin the other side to mount the rod?
also there is what looks to be a clip, similar to the ones used on the long-rod if memory serves me right?

i’ve circled the area, with green circle showing what i think might attach rod.
with blue arrow pointing to what i think is part of the clip showing?

i’m reasonably sure the rear doors have the latch with shorter rod.
on my car i’ve fitted the latches to secure doors for transportation etc.
i’ve opened them enough, having to shove my hand down the gap for glass and operate the lever.
the more i think, the more i’m sure. it’s short?

[Julian Klepacki]

rod lengh difference is significant from what i see and recall on my latches?
‘M’ reg ’73/74 for what its worth.
here are the photos from the ones on ebay showing that rod difference?

i’m concluding those locks above are for NS doors?

[Julian Klepacki]

this is a bummer.
hope it all works out.

[Julian Klepacki]

i’ll be very interested to see how you get on with the re-chrome.
mine are fairly poor i.m.o and would like something better.

i have spare chrome hinges, already split to play with.
i was thinking of that ‘chrome’ effect powder-coat? it’s come on a long was since just being silver-paint?
i recall an episode of one of those car resto programs. they powder coated the bootlid handle off an amazon.
like the ds hinges, it was badly pitted and sub metal was cast alloy. Not ideal for stripping off old chrome.

the powder-coat job was exceptional, just like chrome.

[Julian Klepacki]

Wasn’t there a technical-weekend/period in france just for D’s? Ady Pease ran it or was main tech advisor type thing? Maybe C.C. involved for parts etc? Definitely, always thought it would be cool to go. never managed.

You’d give whoever the heads up what you’d like to do achieve. bring your owns parts for the job. get on with it, but with expertise on hand from ady & co? Isn’t that how it went?

Anyway, slight derail, but came across this the other day. Cool pic.

[Julian Klepacki]

some crackin’ photo’s. The club trips sounds good, especially with a backup vehicle + mechanic on hand?
Do they still do the technical week/trip to France for the D’s?

[Julian Klepacki]

Superb. Great looking car and good to hear you had no problems.

i’m not religious, superstitious or anything, but based on sods-law; by taking spares you are less likely to use/need them.

I really look forward to taking my DS into europe, possibly 2026? When i do i’ll have a bootfull of parts + tools with me.

[Julian Klepacki]

I had to google icon of the seas, thought it was a tv series or something?
Yes, nothing like that. We work almost entirely in the polar regions, it has it’s moments.
I’ve been doing is a long time, so often blasé about it all unfortunately.

[Julian Klepacki]

i followed Paul’s blog, linked above.
All you need to know in there i think?

[Julian Klepacki]

I’m a seafarer, so work on a ship mostly in the southern ocean. But this rotation i joined the vessel in Madeira. Then transiting to Denmark to a shipyard for a refit period through to mid September. I work as an ETO (electrican) on board. Part of a small team of three looking after all the electrickery on the vessel. Vessel is environmental/oceanographic research.

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