GGGRRRR Front Height Xantia

PicassoPigeon · Unread post by **PicassoPigeon** » 26 Jul 2008, 18:51

Have just done my NS strut top and also the NS inner driveshaft boot. So after completion thought I would do some citaerobics and after I had done these put the car at normal height.
The rear is fine but the front will go up and down.Come up to normal and then drops a bit then back up a bit and then back down.

Thank you so much for any help, pointing me the right way.

gav425

vince · Unread post by **vince** » 26 Jul 2008, 20:59

If it is surging up and down then i reckon you are building then losing pressure in the suspension system. Did you accidentally knock off or break any connections? Are they are noises? Also is the pump going nuts?

If its nowt to do with that then i dont know but good luck

PicassoPigeon · Unread post by **PicassoPigeon** » 26 Jul 2008, 21:07

Its as if the front goes up to intermediate then back to normal ride then back to intermediate. Not right away it stops at each for a few seconds then moves to the other height.
Pump seems fine, back end is fine and no other odd noises.

Cheers for your help.
gav425

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 26 Jul 2008, 22:58

Is the steering pointing straight? The reason I ask is that Xantia's will ocilliate if they are stationary with a fair degree of steering lock due to the alignment of the struts/anti-roll bar causing the height corrector to continually over-correct, hence the oscillations.

Failing that I'd bet on air being trapped in the front suspension following fitting of the replacement strut top, bleeding the brakes will get all of the air out.

AndersDK · Unread post by **AndersDK** » 27 Jul 2008, 01:00

Dickie - How would you remove air from the front suspension by bleeding the brakes

The brakes circuit has nothing to do with the front suspension circuit.
Otherwise air in the hydraulics does not affect the height - only ride comfort.
Standard Citaerobics will remove air from the suspension.
Bleeding the brakes will cope with weird brakes function - only - such as delayed brakes function.

There are only 2 reasons for oscillating height :
1) mecahanical problem with the HC or its linkage, making it snatching from one position to the other - not finding a stable regulating point.
2) severe internal leak in one or both suspension cylinders

By far option 1 is the most likely problem and in fact very cmmon on Xantia.
Remove the bracket complete with HC and linkage, then clean and lube everything up to make it work smoothly again. Howver you may find the only ption isto renew the unit.

Option 2 is rare on Xantia front struts. It can be checked by checking for ANY flow at all in the return rubber hose from the strut. A slow drip or 2 is of no concern.

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 27 Jul 2008, 08:44

AndersDK wrote:Dickie - How would you remove air from the front suspension by bleeding the brakes
The brakes circuit has nothing to do with the front suspension circuit.

Good point well made

it had been a long day, well that's my excuse anyway, I was thinking of how bleeding the rear brakes gets air out Doh! My other point on the steering having a degree of lock on will cause oscillating so I haven't lost the plot completely,,,, yet .

PicassoPigeon · Unread post by **PicassoPigeon** » 27 Jul 2008, 13:32

Gave the height corrector a good soak in WD40 last night and a good work out. All is ok this morning so gave it a nice treat with grease to keep it good.

I'll have to do the rear now just to make sure its all fine.

Thank you all for your help.
gav425

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 28 Jul 2008, 10:23

Shame I've only just seen this thread Gav

I had this on my old Activa and the real reason did not show up until the front HC failed completely. The problem was the ball for the plastic link on the HC itself was loose and eventually it fell out

The ball is only riveted to the linkage and if they work loose, the first symptom is a bit of height instability. Whilst you were down there giving it TLC, it would have been the perfect opportuninty to check the ball is still tightly and securely riveted to the linkage arm.

vince · Unread post by **vince** » 28 Jul 2008, 17:38

I need to meet you guys to learn some of this stuff......