Xantia II front height problem

VertVega · Post by **VertVega** » 09 Aug 2009, 10:40

Hi, The front suspension is not keeping the drive height after the engine is stopped. I have noticed this new behavior during last week.
It takes about an hour at the parking area that the gap on top of the front wheel lowers to minimum.

* Hydraulic pump is ticking interval (1 min) seems to be OK.
* LHM fluid level is OK and no visible leaks (40k km last change).
* When the engine is started front raises to normal drive height.

Do you have any suggestions from where to start seeking? Now I will go for a test drive.

red_dwarfers · Post by **red_dwarfers** » 09 Aug 2009, 21:54

This has also started to happen on my S1 Xant the last few months or so. I imagine that it's the anti sink valve at the front not shutting off properly, im not expert though.

Looks rather interesting when parked next to older Citroens which have sunk at the back

Post by **xantia_v6** » 09 Aug 2009, 22:47

red_dwarfers wrote: Looks rather interesting when parked next to older Citroens which have sunk at the back

Just park it the other way around

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 10 Aug 2009, 08:08

another answer would be never park it TEA HE

regards malcolm

VertVega · Post by **VertVega** » 13 Aug 2009, 21:50

Front sunks overnight So the problem is not cured yet. Hydr.pump tick interval is 40 -50 sec.

Where exactly anti sink valve is located? Is it connected to acc sphere.
I tried to find out from tech. drawings but got a bit confused about parts

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 13 Aug 2009, 23:13

the front one is just under the edge of the LHM tank,

and its the regulator which ticks not the pump

regards malcolm

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 14 Aug 2009, 12:41

With that tick rate, I'd say your accumulator pressure is low.

Post by **Peter.N.** » 15 Aug 2009, 19:18

As long as it drives OK I wouldn't worry about it, there are so many parts to the hydraulic system you could spend a fortune - just to cure it sinking.

One of my XMs sinks both end as soon as you turn it off, another stays up for two or three days, but they both drive the same, the sinking one takes longer to come up, but it has done about 250,000 miles.

VertVega · Post by **VertVega** » 16 Aug 2009, 21:40

Here is a "short" update.
Suspension was not soft anymore and it gradually became even worse. I thought it was related to the sinking problem.
During my test drive I found out that front right side suspension was harder than the left side.
While driving over a speed bump car had an additional sideways swing. I have replaced front right sphere (good instructions from FCF) and now suspension is smooth again

Surprisingly the car is not sinking at 2-3 hours after engine stop. So this was it may be.

Peter.N, it was a relief to read that sinking is not a "big" problem. I drive Xantia daily and usually make long distances. A very reliable car.
(Off topic: What a fantastic XM fleet you have! I have always admired XM design.)
Xac's post in Handy Hints & Tips - "DIY sphere removal tool" has inspired me to make my own sphere tool. A different version but it worked fine. I will add some pictures. I think I will also replace accumulator next weekend.
Citronut, I have located the valve. Keeping on learning

. It's fun.

I got spheres from a car breaker. The parts were still on the car and I had the chance to do "breaking" job and it was a good training. I also tested my new sphere removal tool.
2 spheres and accumulator+regulator for a very good price.
Suspension and hydraulics in my Xantia worked fine so far and I didn't have to deal with it except the basic maintenance.

Thanks for all the replies. 8)

Post by **Peter.N.** » 16 Aug 2009, 22:48

Sadly, I don't have the green one any more, a couple of weeks ago, my wife had an argument with a traffic island, keep left sign, street lamp and a bus shelter, she really made a good job of it but it was her first accident in about 45 years. On the bright side, I now have a complete spare parts department in my field next door

Peter

VertVega · Post by **VertVega** » 17 Aug 2009, 06:43

I am sorry for the green one

(I guess it would have been my favourite).
Keep on thinking positive, spare parts dep and no personal injuries

Post by **Peter.N.** » 17 Aug 2009, 09:58

She had our daughter in law and the two grand children in the car at the time so it could have been devastating, but fortunatly, apart from a few bruises, no one was hurt. She keeps thinking back though, to what might have been.

The car stood up very well, the entire front o/s corner was taken back to the windscreen and the glass cracked but the body integrity remained, all the doors still open and fit properly!

Peter