C3 Aircross Towbar "How Too"

Faults and Technical chat for the Citroen Aircross
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Sleuthey
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Sep 06, 2020 1:29 pm

Post by Sleuthey »

Mechanical elements only. Nearly finished the electrics, will try and write up when done. Towbar Model referred to is an Umbra Rimorchi 28066/F purchased on an internet auction site for £109 including electrics.

Photo 1: Lay out all small parts, check nothing is missing and label with the part number in the instructions.

Lay down a sheet to place the groups of removed screws etc in a patten that corresponds to their fitment.

Photo 2: I started with the off side. Using a T15 bit unscrew the 4 Torx screws securing the wheel arch liner to the bumper.

Photo 3: Undo the 2 torx screws securing the underside of the bumper to the spare wheel well.

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Photo 4: Spray a small amount of Wd40 on all lugs from the outside. Using a flat blunt object prize the wheel arch trim upwards from the bumper underneath it to release the lugs joining the two.

Photo 5: Pull the wheel arch trim outwards where it meets the bumper and 2 trim lugs should pop out of the arch. Do not remove it any further.

Photos 6: Remove the plastic rivet securing the bumper to wheel arch by simultaneously levering with the a screw driver and pushing it from the inside of the wheel arch.

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Photo 7: Working towards the centre of the tailgate, reach up behind the bumper and push/jiggle the bumper backwards in the vicinity of the next 2 lugs to pop them free.

Photo 8: The next lug has a metal clip preventing its removal. Reach up behind the bumper via the wheel arch wheel arch with a pair of pliers and pull it off whilst twisting. Then proceed as usual.

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Photos 9: The final lug requires the bumper pushing down from the tail gate. Push in a cushioned screwdriver and rotate it to move bumper downwards whilst pulling bumper backwards.

Photo 10: The off side of the bumper is now fully detached so support it on blocks.

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Repeat the process on the near side.

Detach the connectors on the reverse and fog lamps.

Photo 11: Remove the bumper (I did not find it heavy) and place on a sheet.

Photo 12: Remove the 2 stickers on the outer sides of each Chassis rails.

Photo 13: Remove the one stick on the underside of each rail.

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Photo 14: Place the 2 nuts into the holes under the stickers on each rail.

All nuts and bolts should be finger tight from now in the fitment direction / no. of washers shown in the instructions supplied.

Photo 15: Bolt in the large Towbar-Chassis joining brackets into the Chassis rails.

Photo 16: Remove the lower bolt securing the impact beam to the chassis on both sides.

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Photo 17: Using the large angle brackets bolt the Towbar-Chassis joining brackets to the impact beam on both sides.

Photo 18: Using the small angle brackets bolt the Towbar-Chassis joining brackets to the chassis rail on both sides.

Photo 19: Raise the towbar into position and bolt it into its brackets.

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Photo 20: Bolt the Towbar-Towball vertical joining plates into position.

Photo 21: Bolt the towball into the plates.

Using a torque wrench, socket set and spanner’s, tighten the bolts to the torque specified in the instructions. DO THE VERTICAL BOLT ON THE 2 SMALL ANGLE BRACKETS FIRST. You will need to temporarily loosen (but not remove) this brackets horizontal bolt to do this. The petrol pipe Fowles access with a torque wrench to the most forward chassis rail bolt on the near side. Use a spanner instead.

Photo 22: Mark out the bumper cut as specified in the instructions and cut with a jigsaw. Do not try and cut a smaller size hole.

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Photo 23: While the bumper is off, remove the near side boot liner panel and Get your length of 7 core wire and poke it downwards and to the rear through the hole in the tailgate arrowed.

Photo 24: Then pull it out of the lighting loom grommet. Tack the wire to the towbar with cable ties leaving about 4” to the rear of the towball mounting plate.

Reattach the connectors for reverse and fog lamps BEFORE refitting the bumper.

Photo 25: Refit the bumper. In Haynes speak this is the reverse of removal. My tip is to apply a thin smear of Vaseline to male lugs and start from the centre of the bumper working outwards popping the lugs in.

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Photo 26: The region of the bumper either side of the cut should be underneath the bolts securing the towball.

Don’t forget to align the wheel arch liner properly before popping the plastic rivets in when joining the pumper to the wheel arch.

When all is checked the last bodywork job is to push the trim into the lug holes above the wheel arch.

Photo 27: Raid your nuts and bolts tub and secure the electrical connector flange to the lowest bolt hole on the near side of the vertical towball plate. Place felt tape on its upper side to prevent it scratching the bumper.

Photo 28: Stand back and admire.

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Westman
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2020 3:19 pm

Post by Westman »

Thank you .. will be very useful
Irelach1984
Posts: 5
Joined: Sun Sep 03, 2023 9:50 am

Post by Irelach1984 »

This is great thanks about to do this myself did you have a follow up with the electric
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