'98 Xantia 1.9TD Est - Front flexible brake hoses

Malcolm · Post by **Malcolm** » 04 Dec 2008, 19:49

Hi,
MOT passed OK but recommendation - Front flexible brake hoses!

Is depressurisation required to do this job as unless you apply brakes, surely there's no pressure?

Having had the spheres changed at Westroen, I have not had to depressurise the system. Having only 6 spheres, which doesn't sink much when engine off, do I follow the Haynes manual for 'earlier' or 'later' models?

Thanks
Malcolm

Malcolm · Post by **Malcolm** » 04 Dec 2008, 20:00

Hi,
I've just read the Sticky so believe that's answered one question - in order to fully depressure an Anti-sink car you need to select LOW with the engine running, and then leave it running for a minute or so before switching off and opening the bleed screw.

The rear sphere is the Anti-sink is it not?

Still interested in why depressurising req'd.

Malc

Post by **myglaren** » 04 Dec 2008, 20:20

It is always wise to depressurise the system while working on it as there is a lot of pressure there and it can be quite dangerous.
Citroen invariably stress this and while much of it is covering their collective derrieres there is a lot of common sense in it too.

While the brakes should not be under pressure anyway with the brake valve closed, why take a chance?

Depressurising and repressurising are so simple, along with bleeding afterward that part is probably going to be the least of your worries.
Corroded unions are a far bigger headache.

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 04 Dec 2008, 20:26

Get the car on high,
put axle stands under the jacking points at the front,
slacken the wheel nuts,
set it on low,
watch the rear sink and the nose lift up off the ground,
let it run for a bit,
stop engine and then undo the 13mm bolt on the pressure regulator by the accumulator, but only enough to make it hiss until the pressure is released.
Pinch the bolt back up.
Now you should have plenty of access with the wheels off to get to the brake pipes.

Malcolm · Post by **Malcolm** » 04 Dec 2008, 20:34

Thanks for that. I appreciate the pressure involved in the system and as you say depressurising is the easy bit.
Malc

Post by **CitroJim** » 04 Dec 2008, 21:39

myglaren wrote: Corroded unions are a far bigger headache.

Not such a big worry on a Xantia

LHM is non-hygroscopic (does not absorb water) unlike brake fluid and seized unions and bleed nipples are a comparative rarity.

It helps too that that there is usually enough oil from the engine to have kept most corrosion at bay from the end of the flexi where it joins the rigid supply pipe.

As a result, the flexis are not too big a problem to replace. The biggest headache is the constant dripping of slippery LHM from rigid supply pipe to the flexi. It gets all over your spanner and hands

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 04 Dec 2008, 23:20

there is absolutly NO need to depresurise the system to replace flexi brake hoses, and the bleed valve is 12mm

regards malcolm ( citronut )

Malcolm · Post by **Malcolm** » 05 Dec 2008, 09:40

Thanks for the replies guys. That was my initial thoughts on the depressurising Malcolm. As it was an MOT recommendation it'll wait until I have some better weather.

Thanks
Malcolm