Front Struts Creaking

hayden2004 · Unread post by **hayden2004** » 10 Feb 2004, 01:02

front struts are making loads of noise and the ride is very hard and the struts creak when you get out , do you think the struts are knackered and if so are there easy to replace and can you buy recon

Unread post by **philhoward** » 10 Feb 2004, 01:04

Could just be the front spheres...?

hayden2004 · Unread post by **hayden2004** » 10 Feb 2004, 01:06

have replaced all the front spheres

Unread post by **philhoward** » 10 Feb 2004, 01:12

I've heard that if the system isn't depressurised properly before changing the spheres, the hydractive can go mad and the valve block gets stuck. I saw this somewhere, but although referring to the Hydractive I on the XM, I guess it could also happen to the Hydractive II on the Xantia VSX

hayden2004 · Unread post by **hayden2004** » 10 Feb 2004, 01:20

this could be it any ideas how to sort it all i did was to drop car to low setting and replaced them i also remember that this was not a problem before i replaced them exept the front was hard, where is the valve block

Unread post by **philhoward** » 10 Feb 2004, 01:26

Sounds like you depressurised the system correctly, i.e. drop to low before releasing the bleed screw.
Sounds like something sinister, but out of my technical capabilities...over to the Hydractive experts...

hayden2004 · Unread post by **hayden2004** » 10 Feb 2004, 02:09

i didnot release the bleed screw i have since but i may have a big airlock treid putting the car up and down etc but as i say this only started after i replaced the spheres

alexx · Unread post by **alexx** » 10 Feb 2004, 03:42

Well, I don't think that some trapped air would cause creaking, maybe some hissing or so. There is a big chance that struts are creaking. Check also roll-bar bearing and H/C linkage.
Unfortunately, I think that there are no repair kits for Xantia/XM front struts, like for BX ones (totally different construction).
You probably didn't hear this sound before because spheres were flat and front of the car didn't rise upon leaving the car.

Unread post by **RichardW** » 10 Feb 2004, 12:39

I had some sucess on a BX with pulling back the strut gaiters and greasing the struts - took a few hundred miles to work its way in, repeated a couple of times. However, badly creaking struts is a sign they are knackered and should be replaced. I think they are around £100 from GSF, fitting shouldn't be too badm but I think you need a big spanner to get the nut off the top.

hayden2004 · Unread post by **hayden2004** » 10 Feb 2004, 15:51

ok lets replace the structs is there a way of checking the struts as i may buy secondhand if i can find any good ones

mipster · Unread post by **mipster** » 10 Feb 2004, 16:01

hayden,
I've just made the decision to break a L reg Xantia VSX I've got.
The struts work fine, no creaking at all and move smoothly.
would you be interested in them?
mipzter

hayden2004 · Unread post by **hayden2004** » 10 Feb 2004, 16:13

yes tell me more

mipster · Unread post by **mipster** » 10 Feb 2004, 16:52

I'll mail you, save clogging up this board, never mind I've just seen you request on the for sale/wanted board.
mipzter

hayden2004 · Unread post by **hayden2004** » 11 Feb 2004, 00:44

has anyone changed these before what sort of job is it ??