Too high?

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Jaf
Posts: 514
Joined: 09 Dec 2010, 19:17
Location: Oria, Spain
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x 29

Too high?

Post by Jaf »

Hi folks. I am thinking that Fred is too high at the back. I have measured from the floor to the wheel arch, which I know is not terribly scientific but gives an idea. At the front it is 65.5cm and the rear 66.5cm. Oddly going from service high to normal has very little effect on the rear height, it goes from 72 to 71. I have to put her in service low then normal to get the height right. I wonder if this would point to a problem with the rear HC? It all looks very dusty but not a speck of rust.

There's room for my whole hand between wheel and arch! I have always thought the ride very comfortable but perhaps it could be more so.

Image

Thanks!
Fred, a silver 1998 1.9TD SX Xantia.
Gwin, a white 1994 1.1 AX.
xantiagreen
Posts: 393
Joined: 13 Sep 2013, 04:45
Location: Lancashire
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Re: Too high?

Post by xantiagreen »

Jaf wrote:Hi folks. I am thinking that Fred is too high at the back. I have measured from the floor to the wheel arch, which I know is not terribly scientific but gives an idea. At the front it is 65.5cm and the rear 66.5cm. Oddly going from service high to normal has very little effect on the rear height, it goes from 72 to 71. I have to put her in service low then normal to get the height right. I wonder if this would point to a problem with the rear HC? It all looks very dusty but not a speck of rust.

There's room for my whole hand between wheel and arch! I have always thought the ride very comfortable but perhaps it could be more so.

Image

Thanks!
Hi Jaf, I had the same problem on mine it was after I had the rear H/C diaphragm's replaced and all spheres done, car would not drop from rear from service to normal height I had to drop it on lowest and catch it in time before it dropped too low. Citroen Specialist rummaged around and corrected the height problem now it works a dream just a bit of fiddling around he said. The white plastic dog bone was cleaned up and plenty of white grease all round.

Mechanic did say nothing to do with the H/C more with the H/C bracket/Control arm and Plastic dog bone clip.
Faz

90 Ax 1.0 Red
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92 Bx Gti BRG
90 Bx 16v Cream
96 Xantia 2lt 16v Sx Olive green
01 Xantia 110 Hdi
Storm Grey (SOLD 4/11/18)

Temporarily driving Polo 1.9sdi

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KP
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Re: Too high?

Post by KP »

Sticky rear linkage can cause it but IMO the rear arch should be just level at normal height with the top of the tyre. This saves it being too soft or hard and gives more than enough travel for the back over normal sleeping policemen :)

if its sticky its best to remove the dogbone, spray the area with petrol and a long hair scrubbing brush to gently get all the grub off and when its clean enough that you can wipe your fingers over it and they come back clean then spray a tonne of lithium grease all over the shop and pop the dog bone back on. this will make it all last that much longer and keep crud out :)

Job Done.
Jaf
Posts: 514
Joined: 09 Dec 2010, 19:17
Location: Oria, Spain
My Cars:
x 29

Re: Too high?

Post by Jaf »

Thanks guys. Might have a go at cleaning it all up. Been having too many thoughts lately as the electricity has been off a lot...
Fred, a silver 1998 1.9TD SX Xantia.
Gwin, a white 1994 1.1 AX.
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Old-Guy
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My Cars: 2011 Grand C4 Picasso VTR+ 1.6HDi in Kyanos Blue
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1998 Xantia 2.1 VXD Estate in Mauritius Blue - R.I.P. (terminal tin-worm)
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Re: Too high?

Post by Old-Guy »

If front and/or rear suspension don't respond smoothly (within 20-30 seconds) to changes in position of the height control lever, then by far the most likely cause is the height control mechanism(s):
  • Plastic dog bone displaced or broken (amounts to the same thing)
    Link to the ARB bracket broken
    ARB bracket loose/broken
    Mechanism stiff/frozen/dirty
The first three are usually caused by the fourth so that needs sorting at the same time.
2011 Grand C4 Picasso VTR+ 1.6HDi in Kyanos Blue
1995 Xantia Estate SX 1.9TD in Vert Vega "The Green Lady" - after 11 years now owned by XanTom
1998 Xantia 2.1 VXD Estate in Mauritius Blue - R.I.P. (terminal tin-worm)
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