Xantia dog bone?

XantiaDaveEire · Post by **XantiaDaveEire** » 20 Feb 2011, 14:06

I think my car may have suffered this problem as per the usual symptoms

The rear wont rise unless i put it in to maximum height and only then will it stay up

So can someone confirm if it is the "dog bone" i cant think of the correct name

Is it easy to fix?

Dave

Post by **CitroJim** » 20 Feb 2011, 14:19

That sounds about what the problem is Dave.

"Dogbone" is the accepted name. It don't believe this is it's official name but it's well enough understood, even by Citroen dealers!

Please take care in going underneath to investigate; hydraulic Citroens must be very adequately supported, especially when in the vicinity of height correctors.

If the dogbone is off, there may be an underlying reason such as seized turret pivots on the height corrector mechanism.

XantiaDaveEire · Post by **XantiaDaveEire** » 20 Feb 2011, 14:40

The only thing i can think of is wear and tear?

I did a good session of citrobics the other night and the following day was when the car wouldnt rise

Its not part of the height corrector is it?
Or does it just connect the two linkages together as per the front dog bone

Xantidote · Post by **Xantidote** » 20 Feb 2011, 17:08

The dogbone is a plastic link connecting the height corrector to the clamp on the anti-roll bar. Can't be sure if front and rear are identical, but they do same job. The rear link is of creamy/white plastic/nylon, about 3" length, with a small cup at each end. These each clip over a corresponding small ball on the other bits of the mechanism.

Some post I've seen in the past by CitroJim said the plastic cups can split. However, in the case of my TD, the problem was severe rusting of the ball on the anti-roll bar clamp, the diameter of the ball reducing. Used mole grips to squeeze the new cups onto the balls.

Make sure the car's well supported, as you'll be under the vehicle!!

Post by **CitroJim** » 20 Feb 2011, 17:15

Spot-on in all respects Martin

Front and rear are essentially the same...

Bit worried about your definition of an inch though.. They're around an inch and a bit according to my eyes.

There is a three inch one but this one links the front anti-roll bar to the Hydractive pitch sensor. Never known one of those go (yet).

XantiaDaveEire · Post by **XantiaDaveEire** » 20 Feb 2011, 17:44

Should the system be de-pressurised and lowered to replace the link?

I have a good idea of how to go about fixing it hopefully

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 20 Feb 2011, 19:45

DONT just change the Link, theres a reason for it... BUT also be prepared for a Broken Clamp too which is also Common!!

The reason for the clamp to break, Siezed levers that operate the height corrector.... They sieze first, then have the broken effect on the clamp or the dog bone....

Paul

Xantidote · Post by **Xantidote** » 21 Feb 2011, 17:21

oooops OK, an inch and a bit it is - thanks Jim. Memory playing tricks on me. Spose I could say I mistook inches for cm, but no, just my memory

XantiaDaveEire · Post by **XantiaDaveEire** » 22 Feb 2011, 10:26

Would it cause any damage driving around with the rear up so high ?

XantiaDaveEire · Post by **XantiaDaveEire** » 22 Feb 2011, 10:40

And this is what i need assuming that this is the least of my problems

http://www.eurocarcare.net/hydraulics/529103.html

Its the only one i could come across

Dave

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 22 Feb 2011, 11:33

That's the one.
After 10 years or so the cups wear and enlarge making them loose, combined with sticky old linkage arms they can easily pop off. I was suprised at how easy it was to remove Cassy's old one at the rear compared with fitting the very tight new one!

XantiaDaveEire · Post by **XantiaDaveEire** » 22 Feb 2011, 15:41

Cheers Xac

I had a look under her and as you say one of the cups appears to have broken off the other end is still attached while one end is loose

Everything else looks ok,so hopefully thats all it is

Dave