xantia - jittery suspension when braking

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xantia - jittery suspension when braking

Post by chinkostu »

So the Xantia has always had this odd quirk during low speed braking, where it feels every bump. Its only around 5mph or so when slowing to a stop, but highly irritating especially as the high speed ride is sublime.


Given that too, the ride around 30mph is adequate but i've always put that down to the roads around here (its much worse in other cars!).

All 6 Spheres are either new or less than 2 years old, I actually replaced the fronts again as I thought it could have been one failing! Theres no huge ingress of air anywhere i can see and it's got clean LHM (as it was bright green when it spilled out of the fronts when changing).

Any ideas? Or is it normal!
Stu

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Re: xantia - jittery suspension when braking

Post by white exec »

Fit a couple of electrovalve LEDs, and those will tell you exactly when and under what conditions the suspension flips to firm under suspension ECU command. They really help track down peculiar suspension behaviour.

[EDIT. Ignore above: not relevant to this non-HA vehicle]
Last edited by white exec on 05 Dec 2016, 19:51, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: xantia - jittery suspension when braking

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

I don't think it has electro-valves, as Stu said 6 spheres. I wonder if the ride height is off? If it were too high that can make it jittery (my Xantia was riding too high at the front, and always felt nervous. Got the height sorted, she felt a lot more stable).
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Re: xantia - jittery suspension when braking

Post by CitroJim »

Chris, I, like James, think Stu's may be a non-Hydractive Xantia going by his sig... Unlike the XM, usually only the VSX, Exclusive and Activa had Hydractive as standard...

This problem in my experience has usually been down to air in the brake line dead-ends or a duff accumulator...

I'd be tempted to bleed the brakes all round and at the rear, because the brake lines are so long - they go from the rear suspension to the dosuer valve at the front back to the rear callipers - bleed out at least a pint of LHM from each to ensure all air is out... To make it easier use a long bleed tube going from the nipple all the way back to the LHM reservoir...

If not that, overhaul the rear callipers and check they are not suffering the 'wedging' brought on by the old corrosion problem and if still a problem try a different pad material in the fronts from a reputable manufacturer...
Jim

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Re: xantia - jittery suspension when braking

Post by CitroJim »

James, good point on the height setting... Riding too high can cause all sorts of oddities...
Jim

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Re: xantia - jittery suspension when braking

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

Stu, have you done a Citrobics session recently? It might help to free things up a bit, and make the suspension react more smoothly.
James
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Re: xantia - jittery suspension when braking

Post by CitroJim »

James, another good point ;)
Jim

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Re: xantia - jittery suspension when braking

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

Good to know my brain is working properly, as the rest of me is having to deal with an invasion of influenza!
James
ex BX 1.9
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ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR

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Re: xantia - jittery suspension when braking

Post by CitroJim »

Hell Razor5543 wrote:Good to know my brain is working properly, as the rest of me is having to deal with an invasion of influenza!

Yes, I can confirm your brain is in perfect order James :D

All the best for a very quick recover from the 'flu... Hope it's not incapacitated you too much...
Jim

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Re: xantia - jittery suspension when braking

Post by white exec »

Sorry about losing count at six. You're all dead right, of course. :oops:
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Re: xantia - jittery suspension when braking

Post by RichardW »

What exactly is happening? Sudden jerks at low speed whilst braking may well be the ABS kicking back, as it has a broken ring and is confused....!
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Re: xantia - jittery suspension when braking

Post by chinkostu »

Rich it's definately not ABS as the pedal doesnt kick back as you'd expect. The best way to describe it is if you drive on high for a couple of feet you feel every bump, so it's acting that way when nearly at a stop.


I'll try the rest of the ideas as well guys, it did have a good citroebic session after the front spheres were changed. I'm thinking it might need a good lube as sometimes it'll rest slightly higher or lower after a drive!
Stu

Cars
1995 Xantia 1.9TD SX in (faded) Red
2003 Fiesta 1.4 Zetec in GREEEEEEEN
2001 206 1.9 LX
2001 Saxo VTR
1999 Saxo 1.1 East coast
1999 Punto :oops:
1996 306 1.8 XN Auto :?
1996 Fiesta 1.3 #-o
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