xantia t reg 99 model 1.9 turbo D Suspension Issues

xantia 1.9td 1999 · Post by **xantia 1.9td 1999** » 17 Sep 2008, 11:26

the front suspension on my xantia tends to drop when i start the car and makes a noise whilst dropping??????????

If the cars been parked up for a couple of days it then start with no problems.

What can be the problem?????HELP

Thanks

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RUNNING 100% BIO

addo · Post by **addo** » 17 Sep 2008, 11:45

A sort of groaning noise? If so, I think it's the rubber bushes for your anti-roll bar.

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 17 Sep 2008, 12:58

hi, my 99 xantia often resets itself when I start it up.. usually one or both ends drop then rise .. Dont worry about it

the groaning, mine does this when I walk away from it.. I think its upset about the way its treated or something.. lubeing the struts may help..

Post by **CitroJim** » 17 Sep 2008, 22:16

jgra1 wrote: the groaning, mine does this when I walk away from it.. I think its upset about the way its treated or something..

Miy estate does that (at the front) sometimes John. Rather a bizarre sort of Urrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggg noise as it falls

As you say, nothing to worry about at all but worth a strut lube although that may not fully cure it.

If the back sinks on start-up, that does have a cause or three. It usually indicates your main accumulator and/or rear corner spheres are getting on a bit and could do with replacement. You'd may as well swap the antisink sphere if it's old but this is not often the root cause.

How long is your regulator tick interval? Anything less than 30s and you have a flattish accumulator.

addo · Post by **addo** » 18 Sep 2008, 00:13

I believe it's the bushes labelled "2" in the attached diagram, from Citroën Service. My background is (originally) in things that make pleasant enough noises, so the ears are dialled in to quantifying a new sound.

As these bushes are squeezed tight around the bar, and often are dry (always, in the case of rubber) they will vibrate as the height changes and the bar rotates, transferring this resonance to the body panels where their saddle clamps are mounted.

Using a little (conventional) brake assembly grease or rubber grease would almost certainly quell the sound for a while - but I rather like it.

Regards, Adam.

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 18 Sep 2008, 09:24

hmm makes sense Addo..

I like the effect it has on people who get out out of car

Jim, I think my ticking is 20-30s but wil check....

The amount of HP pressure needed to get the car to normal height first thing, is enough to stall the car or make it harder to start.. glowplus were all fine a few weeks ago.. could be the cold and veg oil..

John

Post by **RichardW** » 18 Sep 2008, 09:57

That noise is nothing to do with the rubber bushes. It's one of the pipes associated with the front anti sink valve vibrating against the body - in certain circumstances if the AS valve is closed but the suspension height is not correct then as the AS valve opens the suspension height corrects, but I think the AS valves chatters, and this gives rise to the noise. I think there was a service bulletin from Citroen to try and deal with it, but AFAIK it was never really successful. I suspect that it occurs due to leakage in the rear suspension which drops the system pressure before the front height has the chance to correct. My estate does it - and many estates seem to sink at the rear - don't know if the rear susp cylinders are more prone to leakage on these??? I need to get around to some car maintenance, and new rear spheres is one of the things, to see if that will help stop the rear sinking.

xantia 1.9td 1999 · Post by **xantia 1.9td 1999** » 18 Sep 2008, 17:05

How long is your regulator tick interval? Anything less than 30s and you have a flattish accumulator.[/quote]

the ticking from the regulator once the car has completely settled, i would say is around the 10/15 second mark. What is an 'ACCUMULATOR'...???
Any pics would really help. Thanks

xantia 1.9td 1999 · Post by **xantia 1.9td 1999** » 18 Sep 2008, 17:06

citrojim wrote:
jgra1 wrote: the groaning, mine does this when I walk away from it.. I think its upset about the way its treated or something..

Miy estate does that (at the front) sometimes John. Rather a bizarre sort of Urrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggg noise as it falls As you say, nothing to worry about at all but worth a strut lube although that may not fully cure it.

If the back sinks on start-up, that does have a cause or three. It usually indicates your main accumulator and/or rear corner spheres are getting on a bit and could do with replacement. You'd may as well swap the antisink sphere if it's old but this is not often the root cause.

How long is your regulator tick interval? Anything less than 30s and you have a flattish accumulator.

the ticking from the regulator once the car has completely settled, i would say is around the 10/15 second mark. What is an 'ACCUMULATOR'...???
Any pics would really help. Thanks

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 18 Sep 2008, 17:09

Open the bonnet, stand in front of the car, and look down between the engine and the radiator, you'll see a green sphere.
That's your accumulator. It keeps the pressure up when the pump isn't running, which is important as you need it in working order for braking if your aux drive belt snaps for instance.
About £20 to replace.