Oh no,...not another bouncy bouncy Xantia!

bigpete · Post by **bigpete** » 06 Jul 2004, 02:45

Evenin’ all. Just a quickie. I've got a Xantia with some spine destroying rear bounce! The car goes up and down without any hassle and the symptoms are regular clicking coming from the front of the engine and a ridiculous amount of bounce at the back. I've done a bit of a search on the forum and think that the accumulator sphere needs at least changing. What with spheres being a snap at £20ish from GSF, would it be a prudent move to replace all 3 spheres while I’m at it…assuming they come off easily enough?!! Your thoughts would be much appreciated.
Cheers
Pete

big_lorry · Post by **big_lorry** » 06 Jul 2004, 04:28

Done this job just recently, had the same symtoms.
I replaced the two rear sphear's and no more bouncing. Although sometimes the rear takes it's time rising.
Look in the common fixes section for instructions.
I used a u shaped screwed rod round the sphere and through a bar for removal, worked a treat.
Good luck.

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » 06 Jul 2004, 04:38

Your problem is the rear spheres have ruptured. I think you will find that you can't compress the rear suspension by pressing on the rear bumper when the engine's running and the car is at normal height.
jeremy

bigpete · Post by **bigpete** » 06 Jul 2004, 05:27

I'll have a jump around in the boot tomorrow with the engine running and see what happens. My friends say it’s bad for your health to be big and heavy but I still say it has its advantages. Testing Xantia suspension can be added to the list of benefits! If I have a wee gander at the rear spheres, are there any tell tale signs that they are definitely dead that I should be looking out for?
Pete
P.S Cheers for the sphere removal advice big_lorry, I'll add it to the possible ways to attack em. Building up quite a list...some more sensible than others!

uhn113x · Post by **uhn113x** » 06 Jul 2004, 13:29

Hi Pete
Spheres show no visible signs of failure - if the back end cannot be bounced, then one or both is faulty. Replace as a pair.
The clicking is probably the accumulator sphere. Might be an idea to check the fronts as well - should be more springy than the back.
Fronts and accumulator need replacing every 3 years or so, rears every 5 or so. Even if car has not moved!
PS How clean is your LHM - if spheres have been neglected, this may have been as well [:(]