The standard outer window catch is held in with a tapered central pin, which pushes four lugs outwards to hold the catch tight in the door. When the time comes to replace the catch, the removal method is not obvious and so the catch is often removed with force, damaging the door, (which can reduce the likelihood of the replacement catch fitting securely). Below, you can see the method I use to remove the central pin without damage but first, you need to decide which replacement catch you need:
You have several choices: the cheapest versions will probably fall out, break in use or even break as you push the central pin in while fitting! Next you have those that fit reasonably well and work ok until the locking spring rusts and breaks. At RetroSpec Parts we have sourced the very best quality available anywhere (matching Citroën original specs but with a stainless spring-clip) and then we’ve improved it with a special stainless central screw that expands the 4 lugs. This has two advantages over the original design: Firstly it pushes slightly more against the 4 securing lugs that the original plastic peg and secondly, it is simple to remove. (There is another choice, that uses a central fixing method, with a nut held inside a flexible carrier inside the door. We have no experience of this type ourselves but have heard of this internal part breaking and turning with the central screw while trying to remove it).
You can buy our window catches in our shop here.
How I remove the old catch and fit the improved version:
You need to remove the central pin. I have heard people suggest that you just push it in and it’ll just fall to the bottom of the door. However, it is tapered so, if you did manage to push it in, it would have to push the 4 lugs much further outwards, against the metal of the door, so either this will be very difficult to do or will damage the door. This is how I remove the central pin:
Close the door to prevent movement. Use a small* drill bit to drill approx 8-10mm into the centre of the plastic pin.
*The size of the drill bit should match the size of the tool (or screw) used next:
Use a carpenter’s “twist gimlet” tool or a suitably sized screw, (with an inner diameter to match the drill size used above), to wind 5-6 turns into the plastic pin.
Protect the paintwork and use a block of wood against a strong part of adjacent bodywork and, with a lever acting against the handle of the gimlet, gently pull the pin out. If using a screw instead of a gimlet, a large washer or bracket can be fitted under the head of the screw for the lever to act against, (but beware of twisting/slipping).
Using long-nose pliers to hold the remaining part of the spring-clip, simply pull the (now loose) window catch out of the door. If there is no spring clip to get hold of, place a wide flat tool into the slot on the side and (being careful of adjacent paintwork) pull the catch out.
Clean the now exposed area. Carefully straighten any distortion to the metal around the hole, to enable the new catch to fit neatly and securely. Treat any corrosion and touch in any damaged paintwork.
Loosen the central screw in your new catch enough to ensure that the 4 lugs are not being pushed outwards. Fit the catch fully into its hole and start to tighten the central screw. Only continue to tighten until it is level with the surface at the back of the large hole.
Lift the lower window frame and check its alignment with the catch. If the locating pin on the frame hits the central screw in the catch, it can be tightened an extra turn. If the locating pin on the frame is not central in the catch, either the frame has distorted or it’s pivots are worn or have moved. The frame can be adjusted slightly:
With the frame being located in the catch as possible, loosen the screws (2 at the front, 2 at the rear) that go through the frame, into the pivot parts. Move the frame to the best position and re-tighten the screws. Check clearance at the bottom before closing the window. If there is insufficient clearance, or the frame still does not align with the catch, the frame is distorted or the pivot parts are worn or bent.