Re: hard suspension when brakes on Xantia v6 mk1

rolyh · Post by **rolyh** » 18 Mar 2016, 20:21

Hi,
My Xantia v6 mk 1 has failed its MOT due to solid suspension when the breaks are pressed. I took the car to pliedes who fitted a new sphere to each corner.
All 4 were faulty. Car now rides great, no jumping, breaking fine. But when I got to the MOT station they still failed it, and pointed out to be that all was fine, but when the break pedal was depressed the car suspension went solid, which was the case.
I did read on the forum that there is a break sensor switch on the Mk 1 that sits under the reservoir, that gets dirty and is then intermittently faulty.
I shall check this in the morning.
But if anyone has any other ideas I would be very great full.

Rolyh

Post by **xantia_v6** » 18 Mar 2016, 20:36

If the corner spheres have been tested or replaced, then it is very unlikely that there is anything wrong with the car. The suspension is designed to be very stiff when in hard mode. I think that the problem is that the mot inspector does not understand this.

I had the same situation once, but was able to explain the operation to the tester.

chinkostu · Post by **chinkostu** » 19 Mar 2016, 01:06

Wonder what they do with activas then

Surely its normal operation on a hydractive. Maybe remove the fuse so its stuck in hard for the MOT? Shouldnt fail for travel

rolyh · Post by **rolyh** » 19 Mar 2016, 09:34

thanks to you both, I have got it booked into Pleiades for Tuesday, to be investigated further. But I shall go back around Monday and speak to the MOT tester. I must admit I was blowing my top with him yesterday.
It's a bit of problem at the wrong time as I go part time(retire) at work in May, and after 10 years of my wife owning the ca; wer intend to sell it, as we will not be able to afford two cars. Its only done 44,000, and garage the time that we have owned.

Post by **CitroJim** » 19 Mar 2016, 09:49

Any Xantia will go hard with the brakes hard on as the suspension trailing arms can no longer move. This is the reason for the handbrake being on the front wheels...

Why would the MOT tester test with brakes on anyway.. Makes no sense...

Good on going part-time. I've been working part-time for a while now and best thing I ever did...

superloopy · Post by **superloopy** » 19 Mar 2016, 10:38

So far Jim ... wait until you've got all of your time to yourself. Magic!

Sent from my LG-D855 using Tapatalk

Post by **CitroJim** » 19 Mar 2016, 10:54

xantiamanic wrote:So far Jim ... wait until you've got all of your time to yourself. Magic!

I know, can't wait

I have loads to keep me occupied

shauny0305 · Post by **shauny0305** » 19 Mar 2016, 14:55

My Xantia Forte est. Hdi90 does dive a little bit under braking, whereas my previous Xantia vsx
with the hydractive button etc. I never noticed any dive under braking whatsoever, I never tried bouncing the car with the brakes on (why would I/anyone? ). I have a 1966 Lancia Flavia Coupe, I defy any MOT tester to bounce test the front suspension. It hardly moves at all, and of course, brakes on/off makes no difference at all. Yet it rides beautifully. Someone in the Flavia Consortium compares them with a BX for rode quality. The dampers are gas filled, designed by De Carbon in the late 50's.
Some things are just beyond the scope /comprehension of some testers, they don't have the experience, so all we can do is help them by educating them about our particular vehicles. Invite the tester to go for a drive,if he does I bet he'll just say "wow!" There's nothing wrong with that, just amazing
Shaun

Post by **myglaren** » 19 Mar 2016, 15:05

For a lot of testers it is a "Painting By Numbers" process.
Anyone lucky enough to get a proper motor mechanic would get a pass as they would question why the car wasn't behaving as expected rather than just failing it.

rolyh · Post by **rolyh** » 19 Mar 2016, 15:31

Thanks everybody, you have confirmed my thinking
I shall have to go back to the MOT centre Monday, to try to explain what is happening to the suspension during breaking, though no expert likes to be told that they are wrong, especially by a layman, so I shall try and print off some literature on the Hydractive suspension, and its working; to take along.

Post by **white exec** » 19 Mar 2016, 15:56

It takes two to bounce an Xantia/XM front and apply the brakes hard enough to make the suspension go firm. Next time, put the tester in the driving seat, and create a diversion for his mate!

chinkostu · Post by **chinkostu** » 19 Mar 2016, 22:23

myglaren wrote:For a lot of testers it is a "Painting By Numbers" process.
Anyone lucky enough to get a proper motor mechanic would get a pass as they would question why the car wasn't behaving as expected rather than just failing it.

I take mine to a local garage who advertises as a french specialist. The MOT tester loved it, said he had one himself in the past

rolyh · Post by **rolyh** » 20 Mar 2016, 13:47

Hi, can anybody point to an article on the forum, or online that gives a description of the hydractive workings, so that I have a bit of document information to show to the MOT tester.

Post by **CitroJim** » 20 Mar 2016, 14:21

This is by far the best one Roly...

Download as a PDF from here:

http://citroen.tramontana.co.hu/technical-guide

It's the best description of all Citroen hydraulics by far... Worth its weight in gold...

Bick · Post by **Bick** » 20 Mar 2016, 15:04

Also complete a VT17 form
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... t-vt17.pdf

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