Is This Sitting To High...Pics

[Timmy69]

Hi
This is my Xantia SX HDi,which i think is sitting pretty high compared to the last Xantia i had.



Thanks Timmy

[handyman]

Yes, Timmy, it looks like you've either got the height control set onto either intermediate or high, or the clamps on the ARBs need to be adjusted.

If you need to get the ARB clamps reset, you MUST ONLY DO THIS on a four post lift or standing in a pit. You must NEVER try and adjust them whilst laying under the car.

If you do a search on the Forum, you will find a myriad of articles on the correct ride heights and how to adjust them.

Handyman

[Timmy69]

Yes, Timmy, it looks like you've either got the height control set onto either intermediate or high, or the clamps on the ARBs need to be adjusted.

If you need to get the ARB clamps reset, you MUST ONLY DO THIS on a four post lift or standing in a pit. You must NEVER try and adjust them whilst laying under the car.

If you do a search on the Forum, you will find a myriad of articles on the correct ride heights and how to adjust them.

Handyman

Cheers For That Handy Man

[Jabo]

Also sitting far too close to the kerb

[red_dwarfers]

Before you go adjusting the anti roll bar clamps for the height correctors you need to really make sure the height correctors are doing their job properly.
As a rough guide, after making sure the car is on level ground, there should be a 3 finger gap between the top of the tyre and wheel arch on the front and a 1 finger gap measuring between the same points on the rear on normal ride height (detailed in the hand book or in thisvideo). Be careful about the fingers though!

Firstly, stick the manual control lever to low and wait for it to sink right to the bottom. Move the height control lever to normal ride height and take note of the finger distances.

Then stick the lever to high, wait for it to get right to the top then move it to normal ride height and take note of the finger distances.

If there is a difference to the normal ride height with the test - First thing to look at are the height corrector linkages. Most commonly it is dirt build up or slightly rustyness in the linkage that causes things to get a bit inaccurate. Most commonly happens at the rear as there is less of a chance of an oil leak to keep it lubricated. Stick the car up on axle stands and take a look at the height corrector linkages. They are near the middle and connected to the anti roll bars via a complicated looking setup, it's not as complex as it looks!
You need to remove the dirt and free up the linkages then grease them with spray grease, they should all be fairly easy to move once the white plastic 'dog bone' is unclipped from the anti roll bar link.
If you detect play in the plastic turrets that the springs sit on, really the height corrector linkage needs replacing or repairing. Pleiades Hydraulic Specialist do a replacement height corrector linkage but you can do it yourself like I did, have a look here there's also a good amount more of height corrector related goodness in that link. That will most likely make your car set at the same height when coming from both high and low, which is what needs to happen before you go playing around with resetting the ride height.

If they rest at the same height with the test - I would still check the height corrector linkages as above and grease them then run the test again to see if things are resolved. If not, then go down the route of readjusting the height corrector anti roll bar links. I think I've seen a topic detailing this on the forum somewhere but basically with the car up on ramps and the car set on low, you need to have a comfortable amount of space to move around and be far away from being crushed. Then stick the car on normal ride height, loosen the anti roll bar links a small amount then tap them slightly to move the height of the car. Be patient though as the car can take up to 20/30 seconds to react. A tiny movement of the anti roll bar link equals a large movement of the ride height.

Sorry if some bits of the above aren't all that clear, point them out if they aren't. I've just come back from the pub after a couple of pints you see

[Timmy69]

Thanks for that Red...interesting to say you had a few pints...i can't normally see the keyboard lol...will check the Linkages first...The Guy I got this from said it had had new Spheres fitted recently,Would that cause it to ride high ?

Timmy

[jgra1]

Timmy just going on what handyman says.. you can also (if you need to) change height using car ramps.. even on low there is still plenty of room under there with ramps.. although it's still a strange sensation to make the car lower towards you and not try and escape !
John

[citroenxm]

The linkages could well be a bit sticky. You will know when you move the lever in the car. If the back stays where it is then one of them is siezing...

Theres two levers, one attached via rods to the lever in the car, the other is attached to the anti roll be via a plastic clip.

They both need to be free to move easyilly..

[red_dwarfers]

Corner spheres don't have any effect on ride height. You could have totally flat corner spheres or perfect condition ones and the height would still be the same, you just wouldn't have any suspension movement.

[Old-Guy]

Looks stuck in High. If moving the height control lever between the front seat makes no difference, then I'd diagnose seized height correctors and 2 'dog-bones' (the plastic links between the bracket on the Anti-Roll-Bar and the height correction mechanisms) popped-off or broken which amounts to the same thing, so fit new ones. This is a common problem and there are lots of posts on the forum on the subject.

[citroenxm]

Yet again.. incorrect info slightly there guy... height correctors themselves DO NOT seize.. its the linkage arms as you do correctly state.. Not the height corrector .. it only does what its told by the levers..

[Timmy69]

The Height Lever makes the car move up and down as normal and is set in the right position..not had time to check the linkages as rain stopped play today..will post a pic of lever settings.

Timmy

[Xantianut]

Ay up!

That's on normal height but the suspension iis definitely too high. Get the car either on a lift or over a pit and spray the linkages with penetrating oil, then work it. Once the linkages are free, then a wee bit of CV joint grease, Coppaslip or similar will keep it going.

[Timmy69]

Ay up!

That's on normal height but the suspension iis definitely too high. Get the car either on a lift or over a pit and spray the linkages with penetrating oil, then work it. Once the linkages are free, then a wee bit of CV joint grease, Coppaslip or similar will keep it going.

Had chance to try a few things over the last couple of days,i left the suspension lowered over night and it would'nt rise when i put it to normal height.When i moved the the lever to high it took ages to rise up then ages again when i put it back to normal..but the ride height after that was good,I did the 3 finger length from top of wheel to arch and it was just about spot on..so i think you guys who suggested linkages were bang on

Thanks for all the help and advice guys its very much appreciated'

Timmy

[Timmy69]

Height Lever is still stiff when moving it and there seems a delay in the response time to rise and lower