Xantias "jumping" front ends - solution !

[vince]

Guys, i have had a problem for a while on my Xantia which resulted in the front end jumping to top position when turning into a parking space and in drive throughs the front end would rise to top and then crash to lowest position. The car has also been riding high on the front end slightly for ages. I know other people on here have had this same thing happen to them.....well in case your unsure i know the fault and the cure....and its simple and cheap

What was causing this on mine was the small anti roll bar bracket which attaches to the dog bone on the front height corrector. The bar that comes off it that the dog bone connects to was deformed and bent so not in its true position. This was the cause!

The solution....a new bracket costing £24 all in from Citroen. Once fitted, which took my mechanic literally 5 minutes, the ride height was back correct again and the front end no longer rises or drops when turning

An amazing result for me as its such a change to the cars driveability and such a simple and cheap fix.... a welcome change on a hydraulic Citroen

[Citroenmad]

Sounds like a nice and easy fix which would make a good deal of difference

Oddly our C5 estate does it but my C5 doesn't I might well look into this

[andmcit]

Just out of interest, what do you think caused its initial deformation and
couldn't it have been 'persuaded' back into alignment for an even cheaper fix!!?

[vince]

Apparently they just bend over time ? going off what the citroen indy said who fixed it. It is a common problem.

i know mine was wrongly fitted or moved by a garage in liverpool i used to use when i worked over there.

Also, if you try to bend them back they just snap apparently so you always end up buying a new one.

Not a bank breaker though

[andmcit]

You're quite right Vince, I'd forgotten one of mine had rusted the activating arm clean off!
Being very small diameter and made out of mild steel underneath the car don't help.

[albertz78]

Hi, Guys, does anyone know the proper name or part no. for this "the small anti roll bar bracket which attaches to the dog bone on the front height corrector. The bar that comes off it that the dog bone connects to was deformed and bent so not in its true position."
My forte estate has always been slightly high at the front and has lifted at the front when turning into parking spaces for a while now.
Cheers, Michael

[CitroJim]

Michael, it's called a 'Control Lever'

Here's a page from the parts list:



Note that there are differing diameters of Anti Roll Bar which affect the part number of the lever. Those illustrated are for the 1.9TD hatch. If you let us know your exact model the correct part numbers for your car can be advised...

[albertz78]

Hi There, thanks for the reply. Mine is an 01 (on an x plate) xantia forte 110 estate, cheers, Michael

[CitroJim]

Mine is an 01 (on an x plate) Xantia forte 110 estate, cheers, Michael

OK, this evening I'll get the picture up specially for that one. It will be different I expect...

[albertz78]

Mine is an 01 (on an x plate) Xantia forte 110 estate, cheers, Michael

OK, this evening I'll get the picture up specially for that one. It will be different I expect...

thankyou

[RichardW]

Same picture, but estate looks to use a 23mm Dia roll bar on the front, so the part number is 529114 - price is the same at £28.88

[CitroJim]

Thanks Richard

[HDI]

How strange this should be mentioned ! Mine has developed the habit but only temporarily after driving over those speed bump strips used on the entrance to some shopping area car parks. After going over the strip when I am parking the nose will just jump up to full height then settle down again, sometimes 2 or 3 times !
Next day all is fine. I was just living with it but now I'll investigate that part. Cheers.

[DickieG]

How strange this should be mentioned ! Mine has developed the habit but only temporarily after driving over those speed bump strips used on the entrance to some shopping area car parks. After going over the strip when I am parking the nose will just jump up to full height then settle down again, sometimes 2 or 3 times !

If the front of the car jumps up and down when there is a fair degree of steering lock applied it's normal, "They all do that Guv".

[HDI]

It's only after going over those speed bump strips. The car will just be stationary with wheels straight, doesn't happen during parking.. It only started doing it about 6 months ago.