XM - Front suspension

xm-2.5td · Post by **xm-2.5td** » 29 Mar 2005, 11:46

Andreas, guys, I'm in desperate need of your help again.
My '97 2.5 TD exclusive Xm has an "erection" problem - the front suspension will not sink !!! and as of this morning will not rise unless I play with in-car height settings.
I was not driving car over winter...and winter here was terrible so it was in the garage whole time. Of course, I was checking up on my car every while and it was fine until a week ago.
I noticed that if I raise the car on third level...front end will not come down to normal anymore?!!!
Just as a reminder...I have no problem with spot/normal setting - works fine as before, steering wheel and brakes as well; even raising works fine when I set it on third or max level. Both end of the car would rise up simultaneously.
Also, you know that good feeling when you go out of the car - it raises and then after couple of seconds comes down to normal again? - well, it doesn't do that anymore. Only the rear side comes down and the front is looking in the sky.
But this morning something has changed - rear goes up normally.... but front would not.
I had to play with height control in car to set it up and take it out of my garage.
Am I wrong if I suspect this is all due to corroded front HC? Tell me it is!!
Many thanks in advance

NiSk · Post by **NiSk** » 29 Mar 2005, 13:00

First get the car up on ramps or over a pit and check that the long rod that goes from the height control lever beside the gear lever to the height corrector valves front and back is moving properly. Then try lubricating the activating levers for the height correctors and cycling the car up>down>up>down to make sure that the levers aren't sticking.
NOTE! Make sure you have sufficient height under the car before you do this!! Otherwise you risk getting 1800kg of XM suddenly lying om you!
I would also have a look at the LHM oil and the filters in the LHM tank.
//NiSk

xm-2.5td · Post by **xm-2.5td** » 29 Mar 2005, 13:40

Forgot to mention - LHM is changed some 3000 km ago. Before that I flushed system with hydroflush.
Spheres are also new, original from Citroen dealer.
Nisk, if it's what you are saying it is, how come system works in opposite direction?
Will what you're saying today...thanks

NiSk · Post by **NiSk** » 29 Mar 2005, 14:30

I always start with the easy parts . . . If it's not the mechanical linkages then I'm afraid it might well be the anti-sink valve(s) that I image your '97 is fitted with. They can create all sorts of funny responses if they stick or if there are poor electrical connections to them.
Citroëns fitted with anti-sink must fist pump up sufficient pressure to overcome the pressure in the suspension behind the anti-sink valve, before the hydraulics start to behave normally. If you have weak output from your HP pump, an air leak in the inlet side, dirty LHM or LHM filters, sticking anti-sink valve(s), poor electical connections (what? on a Citroën!!LOL) the you are going to get some funny responses to the hydraulics.
//NiSk

FrenchLeave · Post by **FrenchLeave** » 29 Mar 2005, 16:34

Sorry Nisk, the anti sink valves are purely hydraulic - no electrical connections.

NiSk · Post by **NiSk** » 29 Mar 2005, 17:34

OK, what other options are there then - maybe flat accummulator sphere or hyractive spheres? Sticking antisink valve?
//NiSk

Post by **Peter.N.** » 03 Apr 2005, 20:37

May sound obvious, but check that your hydraulic pump belt is not slipping

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » 03 Apr 2005, 21:08

If the pump belt were slipping - it would screem like h..l .
I'd say you should give the front HC and linkage a service overhaul. Chances are something has got dry and now tends to stick.

xm-2.5td · Post by **xm-2.5td** » 04 Apr 2005, 11:41

Nisk, Andreas DK, you guys where right; It was a front HC.
Don't know how, and not sure if you gonna believe me but car even feels better on the road now.
I took out front HC, cleaned it and now it's fine...except for one other thing he he he...looks like I'll have to do rear HC as well he he he.
When I put a car to normal driving position...it's fine. If i lift it up to third level...rear of the car goes to highest position.
Then when I put car to go up to the max...only front side goes up, since the rear is already up.
What do you think, should I clean rear HC or just to try to adjust height ?
Thanks for help