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Re: Another "speared" Xantia strut top...Check YOURS!

Posted: 19 Aug 2013, 09:47
by reanimation
Thanks jim, and thanks citronut, that's the info I was looking for. It's a good idea getting some used ones, specially as this is currently my daily drive and only working legal vehicle! Eek.

It's a '94 phase 1 as you can tell so new parts have dried up I expect...

Cheers

Re: Another "speared" Xantia strut top...Check YOURS!

Posted: 20 Aug 2013, 20:12
by Triton18
Hello!

I need your help, please! [-o<

I just decided to revamp my 1995 Xantia Break 2.0i. I got a first bunch of fixes done by my citromech (spheres, fluids, filters, etc.), and added new tires. I was very happy, enjoying a supersmooth ride, when I read this strut top thread.

My mech did not speak about strut top, at all, and he is now closed till September.

I checked by myself, but I am very unsure.

My question is: would you keep going with such strut top? Do you think it safe planning about 1000 km? Obviously I'll change them in September, but at the moment I am very scared about them... :( :(

You can see them here: http://gigal.smugmug.com/Other/Xantiast ... &k=P6BLJ2D" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: Another "speared" Xantia strut top...Check YOURS!

Posted: 20 Aug 2013, 20:36
by Skull
Triton18

Nice looking estate - the colour coded spheres are very posh 8-)

Hopefully one of the experts will give you some reassurance - they look OK to me just the gaitor needs temporary repair until your mechanic can have a proper look for you

Re: Another "speared" Xantia strut top...Check YOURS!

Posted: 20 Aug 2013, 21:11
by Triton18
Thanks, Skull!

It seems that the green ones were not available, these are said coming from Citroen as well, and costing less. :wink:

Re: Another "speared" Xantia strut top...Check YOURS!

Posted: 20 Aug 2013, 21:40
by Skull
I hope they haven't just painted your old green ones and lowered the tyre pressures :twisted:

Re: Another "speared" Xantia strut top...Check YOURS!

Posted: 21 Aug 2013, 05:51
by CitroJim
No, all new Citroen spheres are now grey, just like C5/C6 ones. They can no longer afford to stock green paint!

Re: Another "speared" Xantia strut top...Check YOURS!

Posted: 21 Aug 2013, 13:13
by Triton18
Some more advice? Anybody?

I am going to leave soon for a trip, and I do not know now if I am fool or just paranoid... :oops:

Re: Another "speared" Xantia strut top...Check YOURS!

Posted: 21 Aug 2013, 13:38
by Skull
CitroJim :shock: blimey grey spheres

Triton18 you'll know the answer to that question by the time you get back 8-[

Good Luck

Re: Another "speared" Xantia strut top...Check YOURS!

Posted: 21 Aug 2013, 14:37
by Triton18
:-D :-D :-D SKULL!

I'll tell ya!

Re: Another "speared" Xantia strut top...Check YOURS!

Posted: 24 Aug 2013, 14:49
by Triton18
Hello!

Nevertheless, I did about 100 km on highway and all went fine.

I am now waiting for my mech.

I want to share something interesting I found into another forum: a speared Xantia strut top happened at a guy while he was driving in highway at 110 km/h. He was very scared, but he was able to recover without problems, and stop the car. He was thinking it was thanks to the bonnet, that in some way was able to contain the suspension, so avoiding to the wheel to abruptedly stop against the metal.

Somebody told, instead, that it is unlikely that the bonnet alone could allow that: it was instead the architecture of the hydraulic suspension to compensate immediately the failing of the strut top, in the same way it allows for running with three wheels only. Another major improvement regarding active safety of hydro Citroen! =D>

It really a pity that you cannot find anything regarding these features on Citren sites. :?

Today I visited the Citro site to find info regarding the C5: guess that? I was unable to find ANY mention regarding suspensions!!!!!

Hydraulic suspensions were only an obscure optional for pricey versions, with no description, no mention of advantages: au contraire, lot of space to stilish lights, to entertainement, to high end electronic gadgets.

Are they plainly stupid, or are they fading out supensions?

For sure people do not ask for them if they do not understand them. #-o

Do they think that Jobs was buildin the Iphone due to the high request from public? It was exctly the contrary, but in this case it is way worse because behind the Hydraulic suspension there is already a long and respected history.

Re: Another "speared" Xantia strut top...Check YOURS!

Posted: 06 Jan 2014, 19:01
by sparksie
Oh Dear.
Just spent a couple of hours ploughing through this in the forlorn hope that a proper solution would have been found.
I'm going to have to check this in the morning. Why has nobody made the metal bits out of stainless, leaving only the rubber to worry abut.
Surely there must be a way of fitting some kind of washer, with a larger outer diameter than the hole in the inner wing, to act as a secondary support, in the event of a catastrophic failure.
This makes my intended use of mine, as a loaner while I'm working on peoples cars, totally unfeasible. My clients are a good bunch, as a whole, but can't be relied on to bring the car to a safe stop if they can't see over the new bulge in the bonnet, let alone maintain control if it were to happen at speed.
I guess this one'll have to be fixed up and stuck in an auction and a properly developed car found to fulfil the role.
Damn...

sparksie

Re: Another "speared" Xantia strut top...Check YOURS!

Posted: 07 Jan 2014, 00:03
by Hell Razor5543
Sparksie, look for Kingas. They are a Lithuanian company who re-furbish strut tops, and add an anti-spearing component into the re-worked unit. I personally cannot speak for them, but other forum members have used them and are satisfied with the results.

However, if you were going to use your car as a loaner, surely you would be checking it over regularly (as much to make sure the previous driver hadn't damaged it as to check it was in good order for the next driver), and a failing strut top is pretty obvious. Just ask Taffy!

Re: Another "speared" Xantia strut top...Check YOURS!

Posted: 07 Jan 2014, 00:05
by Northern_Mike
Taffy's looked like a colander!

Re: Another "speared" Xantia strut top...Check YOURS!

Posted: 07 Jan 2014, 22:19
by taffy
http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... 9&start=30" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
lol i was lucky!

Re: Another "speared" Xantia strut top...Check YOURS!

Posted: 08 Jan 2014, 18:54
by sparksie
Yes, I always give whatever car I'm loaning a quick inspection, both before and after the loan.
But, from all that I've read in this thread, it seems the top can fail suddenly and even an MOT tester can't identify one that's about to go.
My checks are nowhere near as extensive as an MOT, nor my equipment as good, so I think I'd be virtually certifiable if I used the car as originally intended!
However, I must admit, the car is growing on me, in a way I thought I had grown immune to.
I'll give the matter some thought and, if I can find the time, possibly try and design a fail-safe strut top for it.
If I can come up with a prototype that works, I wonder could we persuade a manufacturer (eg Polybush) to produce them.
Indeed, I wonder why the normal aftermarket manufacturers haven't already done this. Replacement strut tops are commonly available for most other manufacturers cars, that don't write the car off when they fail in service!
I suppose Citroen are seen as a specialist marque and there may not be a big enough potential customer base.

sparksie