toomany was the forged original type
notsmartcar was the crappy cracked hex

there has been many attempts to better the Citroen solution none seem capable of matching its function

Not a "crack", just a little worn groove.

Whoops! Yep- got the two of 'em mixed up. Thanks for the correction.

If it's so good at reducing friction (this is the thing which keeps getting mentioned) in a suspension system, one would expect to see it taken up by others. Don't get me wrong - it obviously works fine on the 2CV, but it looks like a potential failure/weak point unless the grease is kept up to it. Today, around 70 years since the design of the thing, articulated joints are a little less maintenance dependant. For that read "sealed for life" - zero maintenance.

Well, that's the thing, isn't it? For a '40s design, the 2cv's suspension is absolute genius - and fairly low maintenance for the era. As designs "improved" (in terms of maintenance requirements, at least), the 2cv got a bit left behind. But that doesn't make it less effective. Most of those "improvements" were primarily reductions in cost to build and run - and sod the ride quality etc.

I quite agree with you... and there've been improvements in metallurgy, electronics, etc too.
Our '09 Sizaire has a very "modern" feature like the BMW "valvetronic" system - except that it's done mechanically (ie crudely) rather than electronically.

i am very new to a 2cv - and not very technical minded - so excuse if stupid questions
my 2cv makes a squeeky noise when rocked - could it be the cannisters need to be oiled - if so how is this done?

Use vegetable oil. pull the rubber gaiter back and squirt some in, rotate the cans and rock the car. you can use a paraffin gun or something similar to make it easier.

Parafin gun? Genius. Was about to but an oil pump
Joe do I need to attach a pipe?
I shall finally oil my cans they are hurrendous

i used a paraffin gun with a pipe with a small nozzle, so i could get a bit more pressure behind it. but an oil pump would work too.

ive been meaning to put the veg oil i bought a year ago in since i bought it

i dont really want to go and buy an oil pump just for one job,
somewhere i have a parafin gun, now to find it
i used it to wax oil the car last year!