Xantia Suspension Problems. Help Please!

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Woody260
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Xantia Suspension Problems. Help Please!

Post by Woody260 »

Hi I hope someone can advise / point me in the right direction on this one. I have a Xantia 1.9TD SX Estate 98 Facelift with 126k miles. Goes fine but.... in the last few month or so I have noticed several things. First was at times, a kind of vibration through the brake pedal when coming to a halt.
Secondly I noticed a definite thump from the rear when going over a pothole or similar... indication that the suspension at the rear was not as efficient as it had been. Now I realise the front of the car is sitting higher when stationery than it had before and its getting very bouncy to drive. Decided it probably needs susp overhaul which I'm OK about but impossible to find anywhere decent to do it. Went last year up to Pleides in Cambs, now they're only mail order tho :( Can anyone advise me on what I've related and possibly suggest a good sensibly priced Cit Indy Garage I can 'bounce' to in North East London area? Thanks a mill!
Peter.N.
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Post by Peter.N. »

The vibration on your brake pedal could just be the normal action of the ABS. If not possibly distorted brake discs.

Your suspension problem problem could be that its hitting the bump stops if as you say the suspension is to high. Just how much to high is it? only it needs to be a lot to high for that to happen and theres no real reason why the height should change, assuming its going up and down in the normal manner. Its more likely to be one or more sphere that has failed. Check your suspension height by looking at the suspension arms with the engine running, they should be about parrellel to the road.
Woody260
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Post by Woody260 »

Hi Peter.N. Thanks for the tips. Well it's not distorted discs I know that sensation, it's more of a buzz that travels up the pedal when sometimes coming to a halt. I do have a ABS problem, so possibly it's related to that . N/S/R wheel sensor is erratic sometimes the light comes on sometimes it goes out....so had a code reader check and its pointed out the sensor as a prob..I have a new one to install so hopefully the 'buzz' may go after that's done. I'll have a look underneath at the suspension in the daylight. But it's about 2inches higher at the front than it was. The backs sitting approx normally I would say. It seems to rise and fall normally albeit a bit slower than it did. Yes I think its likely to be a sphere problem but Im not familiar enough with Cit's to know for sure. Had this one 4 years and its been fine, but although I've replaced a few items along with reg servicing, I've never done had the suspension overhauled. I did have it checked by Pleides the Cit people in Cambs last year and it was OK then. Desperately need a sensible priced garage locally to me in North East London or fairly near to it, to get this sorted now There are two so-called specialists ](*,) but neither would I recommend..having tried both in past
1999 Xantia 2.0HDI (110) Estate 122k
1998 Xantia 1.9TD SX Estate 126k
1983-4 Mercury Cougar 3.8 V6 (232cu) Coupe 69k
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Mandrake
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Post by Mandrake »

Flat spheres can never cause the ride height to be wrong... even if they are so flat the suspension becomes almost rigid the ride height will be correct....as the spheres loose gas the ride just gets progressively stiffer.

The ride height should never get out of adjustment on its own, most likely the clamp on the rollbar has been disturbed somehow during some maintainance...

Regards,
Simon
Simon

1997 Xantia S1 3.0 V6 Auto Exclusive in Silex Grey
2016 Nissan Leaf Tekna 30kWh in White

2011 Peugeot Ion Full Electric in Silver
1977 G Special 1129cc LHD
1978 CX 2400
1997 Xantia S1 2.0i Auto VSX
1998 Xantia S2 3.0 V6 Auto Exclusive
mezuk04
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Post by mezuk04 »

You say you have had the car 4 years, when is the last time all the spheres were replaced?
Volkswagen Golf 59' 1.6TD S :(
Woody260
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Post by Woody260 »

Hi Mandrake (Simon). Thanks for your comments. OK well there has been no maintenance on the anti rollbar. Been underneath for an inspection this morning all seems to have never been moved and is secure. If anything the ride is a lot bouncier than it was previously. I make a habit of moving the ride height lever through the range at least fortnightly. Checked the fluid level again with the engine running and at full height, the float is midway between the two marks on the inspection glass as I believe it should be ?
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Post by Peter.N. »

Try bouncing each corner of the car with the engine running. there should be about 4" - 6" up and down movement, the back will be softer. Any corner that doesn't have that movement will need a replacement sphere.
Woody260
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Post by Woody260 »

Hi Mezuk 04. Good Question. Sphere Changes. Never by myself I'm afraid. Nothing in service re changing either...which is why I decided to get the lot.all 5? and anything esle changed ASAP....hence my search for someone locally who can carry out this job and who knows what they're doing
1999 Xantia 2.0HDI (110) Estate 122k
1998 Xantia 1.9TD SX Estate 126k
1983-4 Mercury Cougar 3.8 V6 (232cu) Coupe 69k
mezuk04
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Post by mezuk04 »

It would certainly sound like time for a change of spheres, have you done any work yourself to the car?

To be honest, SAVE yourself the money regarding the sphere change and do it yourself, christ (and im not a religious man) if me and my mate (both 21) can do it for the first time then I'm pretty sure anyone can.

When you get the spheres in hand (gsfcarparts.com) about £25 after VAT each then there is lots of info on this site in order to change the spheres. If you cant find the information then someone and all will be happy to tell you step by step, it is in all fairness really quite easy.

The fronts took no more than 10 mins - 10 mins - thats good in my book!

We managed to change the wheel spheres just on the information from this site. However we couldnt budge the Accumulator so asked the garage to do it for us since it was going in for a cambelt and water pump.
Volkswagen Golf 59' 1.6TD S :(
Woody260
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Post by Woody260 »

God.... wish I were 21 again Mezuk.... :D Yes I agree about a total sphere change. I used to do a bit of maintenance on vehicles .quite a lot actually...but am clocking on now years wise and have one or two health probs which prevent much delving into and under motors now unfortunately but I still have lotsa tools and what you're suggesting may well be the option. I saw that Westroen in Manchester supply and fit the lot too for 150...just a shame Mannie is 200 miles from here!
1999 Xantia 2.0HDI (110) Estate 122k
1998 Xantia 1.9TD SX Estate 126k
1983-4 Mercury Cougar 3.8 V6 (232cu) Coupe 69k
Woody260
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Joined: 31 Oct 2003, 00:46
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Post by Woody260 »

Hi Peter N. Cheers.....I did that and the back end's decidely firmer indicating that the rear...the car's....not mine.. :oops: .is need of attention. I think it's clear that the lot need changing anyway....just the matter of whether I can find someone good locally to do it or get time etc to get out and do it myself !
1999 Xantia 2.0HDI (110) Estate 122k
1998 Xantia 1.9TD SX Estate 126k
1983-4 Mercury Cougar 3.8 V6 (232cu) Coupe 69k
mezuk04
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Post by mezuk04 »

Attempt the fronts, they are certainly easy and no real rolling around necessary, just need to undo the pressure relief bolt.

Will save a wee bit of cash anyway!
Volkswagen Golf 59' 1.6TD S :(
Peter.N.
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In the past: 3, CX td Safaris and about 7, XM td estates. Lovely cars.
x 1199

Post by Peter.N. »

I would go with mezuk, the fronts are usually quite easy to change because they are not exposed to the weather so usually come undone OK, the back ones... well, shall we say perseverance is often required :x

I'm getting on a bit, but have managed to maintain my XM so far, but I dont bend as easily as I used to, so its not quite so easy. Not that working on an XM ever was!
Woody260
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Post by Woody260 »

Thanks for your help and encouragement PeterN & Mezuk04. Sorry for delay in acknowledging...not only is my car playing up....my PC is too.... :? Usual tecchy stuff tried an hammer didnt work used a bigger one all working now.... Just the car to sort out!! Have almost decided after lotsa web searching...phone book scrutinising....etc etc and no nearer finding any recommended places in London area to overhaul suspension... My back playing up big time so sadly rolling around car or even bending much isn't an option at present...so after a chat with the chap up at Westroen Spheres...sounds a nice guy...will likely do a round trip to Manchester and have the lot done good price Guy knows what he's doing.and virtually same price as buying all components myself and doing it. No contest really. Many thanks to all those who offered advice Appreciated!
1999 Xantia 2.0HDI (110) Estate 122k
1998 Xantia 1.9TD SX Estate 126k
1983-4 Mercury Cougar 3.8 V6 (232cu) Coupe 69k
pete@co.uk
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Post by pete@co.uk »

Hi Woody


Just done search for you and ive found a citroen indy dealer in essex there at http://www.edwardsandson.co.uk/info.htm give them a try they look ok they should be able to help to sort your car out check them out and it saves the drive all the way to manchester

hope this helps you

pete.....................................
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51 Reg Citroen C5 SX 2.0 16v
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