S1 Xantia Front Suspension - Not rising

gadgetgricey · Unread post by **gadgetgricey** » 01 Jul 2011, 18:02

Posted a while ago about the suspension being more firm after I swapped the alloys and tyres over, but just noticed today that that may not be the reason

Pulled up on my folks driveway, and whilst waiting for them to answer the door realised that the front was only just above the wheels. The rear a little higher. I assume where it should be.

Did a bit more investigation when I returned to the car, and the rear rose a little on start up, but the front did not move.

Car will go up and down if you utilise the height controller, but does not seem to be as high as it should be on standard driving.

Are there any tests that can be done to confirm my thoughts, and likewise what do you think could be at fault.

Thanks again

- Dave -

Xaccers · Unread post by **Xaccers** » 01 Jul 2011, 19:11

Put car on high, get axle stands under the front jacking points (normally their lowest position is fine), put the car on low, turn engine off and put lever to normal, crawl under the car and check that the white dogbone is still in place, chances are it's popped off.
If it's loose or cracked they're peanuts from the dealer

gadgetgricey · Unread post by **gadgetgricey** » 01 Jul 2011, 19:52

Xac wrote:check that the white dogbone is still in place, chances are it's popped off.
If it's loose or cracked they're peanuts from the dealer

Will the dog bone be fairly obvious, as I've got no idea what that is......

I'll have a look Sunday though.

Thanks again

- Dave -

Xaccers · Unread post by **Xaccers** » 01 Jul 2011, 20:13

Yup, follow the manual control rod forward to the height corrector linkages, and from the one the rod isn't connected to, there should be a white dogbone like length of plastic (about 3 inches long) with a cup on each end.
One end goes on the linkage the other goes on the clamp on the anti-roll bar.

If the linkages seize up the dog bone can pop off, or if it cracks/wears through age.

Another possibility is that the anti roll bar clamp has slipped (not likely) or the arm with the ball on it has snapped.

gadgetgricey · Unread post by **gadgetgricey** » 04 Jul 2011, 20:32

Time for a stupid question. I presume the dogbone, is almost in the middle of the car, underneath the height adjustment lever.

Also rather than jacking the car up, would it be ok to drive the front wheels up some ramps, and the up and down on the suspension.

Never got chance to have a look on Sunday, as ended up fixing the cooker.

Thanks again

- Dave -

Unread post by **citroenxm** » 04 Jul 2011, 20:58

No Dave..

Theres Two Dog BOnes, one at the FRONT one at the REAR.. The front unit is just after the front subframe (When you slide under from the front of the car) roughly under the drivers foot well...

Yes put the car up ramps, As long as the height of the car is high enough to clear YOU when it comes down to the lowest setting...

Once under the car you can clearly see the Metal rods that are connected to the lever in the car, follow them to the ends and you will see the Height Corrector Assembly ... The front dog bone is slightly hidden by the bracket, were as the rear is a bit more exposed but similar ...

Paul

gadgetgricey · Unread post by **gadgetgricey** » 23 Jul 2011, 20:55

Well finally found the "dog bone" and looks to be connected up correctly.

Took a video of the car going up and down, does it seem to be working correctly?

Could it just be the front spheres if this is OK?

Thanks again.

- Dave -

Unread post by **citroenxm** » 25 Jul 2011, 10:06

Even if the dog bone is off, OR the connecting linkage is siezed, useing the lever in the car STILL makes the suspension go up and down as normal..

All you dont get is the Correct Height Level Automatically....

Check the linkage attached to the Dog bone on the Bracket NOT the anti roll bar clamp...

Paul

gadgetgricey · Unread post by **gadgetgricey** » 25 Jul 2011, 11:43

Cheers Paul.

Video was more to show that the dog bone does seem to be moving, (Can be seen through the hole) when the suspension goes up and down. (Just not sure if its moving enough)

Think I may be booking the car in to my local specialist regarding this, as not too keen on messing around under the car without the use of a ramp.

Not the smallest of blokes, so dont fancy getting squished.

Can the height corrector be cleaned at all in situ, just wonder if its sticking somehow

Thanks again

- Dave -

Unread post by **citroenxm** » 25 Jul 2011, 12:41

Dave,

Do not get confused... Height Correctors dont stick! They get mucky and slow yes but do not stick...

It WILL be one of the two levers, the topic has been covered many times on here..

Its better to remove the WHOLE bracket from the car to free up the two levers... One is linked to the Height Control Rod that goes to the lever in the car, the other to the Plastic clip... they must both be very free to move..

Paul