help! rear suspension stuck on highest setting

deezilbob · Post by **deezilbob** » 18 Sep 2009, 17:21

hi all, today my rear suspension went itself to the highest setting and wont come back down again,
what have i done?
i tried oiling the centre rod.
i dont know much about these suspension systems
thanks..
its a xantia tdi 1998

Post by **Peter.N.** » 18 Sep 2009, 17:50

Ther is a plastic link from the anti roll bar rod to the height control valve, its probably either come off or broken.

Xantidote · Post by **Xantidote** » 18 Sep 2009, 17:51

Hi Deezilbob,

I've not enough knowledge of the hydraulics to answer you in detail, but if you've done any searches on the forum, you will keep getting the message NOT TO GO UNDER THE CAR UNTIL IT'S ADEQUATELY SUPPORTED, WHICH MEANS AXLE STANDS.

The front and rear suspension systems are each controlled by what's called a height corrector, which is linked to the respective anti-roll bars by means of a small plastic link, about 3 cms long, with a cup at each end which fits over a small ball. This plastic link wears over time, but can also come off when the height corrector mechanism itself reaches a state of seizure such that it no longer works and throws off/breaks the plastic link. The first you'd know of this is when the back end drops to lowest position and you loose all suspension bounce.

Those on the forum with more knowledge than me will surely have an explanation for your situation - most of us have droopy problems, whereas you've got the opposite! To investigate, you will need to get under the car, so bear in mind my first paragraph

Martin

Xantidote · Post by **Xantidote** » 18 Sep 2009, 17:53

Just beat me to it Pete. Could a broken plastic link cause the suspension to stick in high position?

Post by **Peter.N.** » 18 Sep 2009, 17:58

Mmm, if the valve is a bit sticky and it broke when the suspension was right down it would tell the valve it needed to go up but wouldn't stop when it got there.

Peter

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 18 Sep 2009, 21:18

Peter.N. wrote:Ther is a plastic link from the anti roll bar rod to the height control valve, its probably either come off or broken.

Peter, more likely to sink then rise up when plastic clip comes off, Id be inclined to think the linkage could have siezed on a high setting..

Paul

deezilbob · Post by **deezilbob** » 18 Sep 2009, 21:41

thanks all,
ive looked and there is a little white plastic cup shaped clip which is off , its sitting around 10mm away from the metal ballbearing thingy which i think its supposed to clip back onto,
sorry about my terminology,lol
ive soaked it all with wd40 for the night,
should i clip it back on in the morning?
is it easy enough to lever back over?
thanks..

Post by **Peter.N.** » 18 Sep 2009, 22:02

Give it several good soakings with engine oil over the next few days and it should free off.

deezilbob · Post by **deezilbob** » 18 Sep 2009, 22:07

thanks peter! ill try that.

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 19 Sep 2009, 00:46

The PROPER best way to free it is to remove the unit from the car, leaving the Height controller in place, and REALLY get the TWO link arms REALLY free!!

Eventually, if they are not free or free engough, the CLAMP can break, and Ive seen a few of them broken too...

Paul

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 19 Sep 2009, 00:49

citroenxm wrote:Eventually, if they are not free or free engough,
the CLAMP can break, and Ive seen a few of them broken too...

Yep, me too Paul. Surprisingly weak; not so much the clamp itself,
but the small arm it holds off the anti roll bar!

Andrew

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 19 Sep 2009, 09:20

Peter wrote
"Give it several good soakings with engine oil over the next few days and it should free off."

dont know about that,

as i replaced one on a customers car with one from Martin,

i left the removed one in soak in a tray for about three months, when fished it out it was still stuck solid, i clamped it in a vice and worked and lubbed worked and lubbed worked and lubbed worked and lubbed worked and lubbed it for about an hour ish, eventualy it freed off, may be this was an extream case

regards malcolm

deezilbob · Post by **deezilbob** » 19 Sep 2009, 09:44

all fixed now,
pulled the arm over after a good soaking and clipped the plastic cup back on ,started the car and its back to normal now..
thanks all for your advice..

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 19 Sep 2009, 12:33

Ahhhh BUT!!

Was the arm VERY FREE to move!!???? If it was stiff it WILL pop off again!

You will need to get them REALLY free and possibly put a new clip on, £1.00 from dealer!!

Paul

Post by **CitroJim** » 19 Sep 2009, 12:38

citroenxm wrote:and possibly put a new clip on, £1.00 from dealer!!

Yes, always a good idea to replace the link if it has popped off forceably. It often results in hairline cracks in the ballcups and then they'll never stay put.