Xantia brakes

[bernardo]

rear brakes on Xantia wont work. car failed mot . bleed screw opened very little pressure. anyone any ideas. 1996 19d turbo estate

[406 V6]

Any HP Citroën rear brakes only "work" efectivelly with some weight on the rear of the car, as they are dependant of the load on the suspension. Load the boot with a sac of cement next time (any other thing thats weights is good too)
To have them bled, put the suspension on maximum height and then do the procedure.
How's the rest of the hydraulics? Is the accumulator sphere good (ticking intervals longer than the minimum of 30s)?

[citronut]

no need to put it under load as all you have to do is put suspention right up on the highest setting,this will allow full presure to the rear brakes,when its on high you can jack it up and remove the wheels to gain access to the bleed niples
regards malcolm

[Homer]

bleed screw opened very little pressure.

If you have opened the bleed screw with the suspension on anything but maximum and the car suspended then there will be very little pressure.

The rear brake pistons of BXs and Xantias are prone to siezing because they are so rarely used. You will probably get them back in operation simply by removing the pads and pushing the pistons back. There is a chance the seals will get damaged when you do but they are pretty easy to fit.

[fastandfurryous]

no need to put it under load as all you have to do is put suspention right up on the highest setting,

I doubt the MOT man is going to be very impressed if he has to put this car in maximum height to pass the test........

[406 V6]

Exactly, that's what i meant! For MOT, put some load on the boot, to bleed it put it on max for system pressure.
Ah Xantias, at least they don't eat rear pads as fast as the front like the C5...