Xantia rear suspension

mcgregor · Post by **mcgregor** » 12 Oct 2005, 08:21

Oh god another problem. Last night on the way home my car became very jiggly. It turns out that the rear suspension is sitting on the bumpstops while the front is fine. It will go to the highest position but sticks there and will only go back to the lowest after much faffing about but will not in any way go to the normal position. As I say the front is behaving normally. Any ideas?
Dave

Post by **RichardW** » 12 Oct 2005, 10:09

Make your self a (big) cup of tea, do a furm search on "Xantia Rear Height" and "plastic link" and read on.....for about 4 hours. Discussed ad naseum

You might get away with just refitting the link, but it might need a new height corrector

splat2 · Post by **splat2** » 12 Oct 2005, 13:22

If you just refit the link it'll probably just drop off again soon. The height corrector needs to be lubricated thoroughly then the link can be refitted and held on with a carefully placed tyrap (tyewrap? tywrap? tirap? tiwrap? - who knows). A main dealer will definitely tell you the height corrector is broken when it almost certainly isn't.

As usual, if considering doing it yourself do not go underneath the car unless it is supported on axle stands.

mcgregor · Post by **mcgregor** » 12 Oct 2005, 13:43

Thanks guys. I managed to drag it round to the local Citroen specialist (not agent) and he assures me that its the height corrector which is knackered and has quoted me £85 for parts+2 hours labour + vat to repair (£175 toatal) which sound not too bad. If I had the time I would do it myself but as I need the car daily it just aint an option so I have bitten the bullet and told him to sort it. There goes my new MP3 player!!
Cheers
Dave

mcgregor · Post by **mcgregor** » 13 Oct 2005, 07:55

Got the b****r back but was relieved of £175 in total. Gulp! The suspension seems to be so much better than before though so perhaps this thing has been playing up for a while and I simply did not notice. Anyway I don't know if its a problem or not but the headlights now seem to be just a tad higher on dip beam than before as if the rear is still just that wee bit too low. Is the suspension height adjustable and has the garage set it wrong? If so I shall take it back and get them to readjust it. Any help appreciated.
Cheers
Dave

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » 13 Oct 2005, 11:30

The ride height is adjustable. With the lever set in the central position and the engine running, the underside of the chassis member to the ground should be 420mm +/- 7mm. As a rough guide, the edge of the wheel arch should just be a fraction below the top of the wheel.

mcgregor · Post by **mcgregor** » 13 Oct 2005, 12:52

Thanks for the help. Now sorted. It was 15-20mm too low which explains the headlights being a tad high hopefully.
Dave