2.1 TD Xantia on a budget

[Skull]

S reg Xantia 2.1 TD SX Hatchback (standard 6 sphere anti-sink)

Bought this one as a non runner - reportedly had a split power steering pipe. She'd been laid up for several months and I took pity on her.

So far I've freed off the rear height corrector which was seized (probably due to being laid up) replaced the OSF brake line (split), bled the brakes (fronts floating / rears loaded) wheels back on and lowered ran through the various height settings, LHM level checked and OK on high setting.

All looks good and I'm about to book an MOT but noticed when I reversed up the kerb (normal ride height) that the 'unloaded' rear wheel levitates - I know the rear anti roll bar is heavy duty on these but just wanted to check if there may be a problem lurking

It probably wouldn't be noticed on the MOT test and I haven't had a proper drive yet due to expired MOT

[Stewart(oily)]

That sounds pretty normal for an oleo car.

[Skull]

Thanks Stewart It's been a while and don't remember my other Xantia (estate) 'cocking a leg' so to speak

I'll get her booked in then I will have to Christen her

Total cost so far £403.62

[Mandrake]

That sounds pretty normal for an oleo car.

Doesn't sound normal to me!

Sounds like some of the spheres are shot causing the suspension to be really stiff. Citroen suspension is softer than typical so it wouldn't normally allow a wheel to lift off the ground even on very uneven surfaces like hanging over a curb.

Skull: how much does the suspension go down at each end if you sit on it with the engine running ? It should go down 2-3 inches at the front and the rear suspension should pretty much bottom out (before it makes a height correction) unless you're a featherweight

[KP]

Can you video it at all as it would be interesting to see

[Stewart(oily)]

Try reversing one up a ramp, you will observe that these cars are rather stiff in certain directions, I also recall DSs, BXs and possibly Xantias being driven with one of the rear wheels removed (LHD only) you might be correct about bad spheres though.

[Mandrake]

Reversing one wheel up a car ramp is a pretty extreme test! Try that with any car for that matter.

Once the suspension runs out of travel and hits the bump stops the wheel has no choice but to lift off the ground. But there is enough suspension travel that it won't happen backing up/off a curb. I've yet to see one wheel raised off the ground on a Xantia on uneven ground that wasn't due to the suspension being fully raised or lowered. (making the suspension rigid)

Some new spheres and I'm sure it will be fine.

You can drive some Citroen's (like the GS) with a rear wheel removed, but that's more to do with the very far forward centre of gravity than anything else. Draw a triangle between the three remaining wheels and if the centre of gravity is within the triangle the car will stay upright with the missing wheel. This is the case on a GS for sure, but not with many cars.

Even on a GS though you have to raise the suspension to the intermediate height position to prevent the wheel hub dragging on the ground!

[Skull]

Mandrake I am a bit of a lightweight

Idling in drive position I can get 2" front and the rear maybe 2" so it looks like she might need some attention there - having played a little more with the citrobics she does feel on the firm side (more so at the rear)

Will it fail an MOT on that alone though

My thought are to stick it in for an MOT and see how she fares the ride over there should give me a fair idea

then fix the worst bits about her if she passes or reassess the budget if she fails

The idea is to get her fit on a budget (she's no looker and a bit scabby on the bodywork)

[KP]

Get some paving slabs in the boot for the MOT, should make the rear brakes work that bit harder as well

[Mandrake]

Idling in drive position I can get 2" front and the rear maybe 2" so it looks like she might need some attention there - having played a little more with the citrobics she does feel on the firm side (more so at the rear)

Will it fail an MOT on that alone though

As long as you've got a couple of inches movement and it doesn't "bounce" along the road due to lack of suspension travel I can't see why it would fail the MOT - that's more suspension travel than some cars have from new!

My thought are to stick it in for an MOT and see how she fares the ride over there should give me a fair idea

then fix the worst bits about her if she passes or reassess the budget if she fails

The idea is to get her fit on a budget (she's no looker and a bit scabby on the bodywork)

I would agree, don't throw any extra money at it until you know if it passed, or know what it needs to pass.

Assuming it passes and you think its a keeper it would be worth doing the spheres though if they need doing. When you can get them for around £20 from AEP they're not too expensive either.

[Skull]

Mandrake

Great minds

Update on result to follow .....

[Mandrake]

Try reversing one up a ramp, you will observe that these cars are rather stiff in certain directions, I also recall DSs, BXs and possibly Xantias being driven with one of the rear wheels removed (LHD only) you might be correct about bad spheres though.

Here you go:



Not exactly normal terrain though. (looks like the suspension was lifted to intermediate position as well which would stiffen the suspension somewhat as well as giving the required ground clearance)

[Skull]

Mandrake similar performance but the kerb is not quite that extreme

Agree looks to be on intermediate setting (at least)

[Old-Guy]

If you watch the video clip right through, it's fairly clear that the suspension is in Intermediate: a small amount of suspension movement is visible (so not HIGH) and at the end the driver lowers the car to Normal.

[Skull]

Old-Guy You're right - I hadn't watched the full length as the wind noise was annoying

____________________________

MOT booked for tomorrow

1 day insurance (Any 24 hour period) was cheaper than adding it to my Saxo policy for a day as they don't offer multi car insurance

£30.15 from https://www.tempcover.com compared with £45.90 (including £30.00 Admin from my Insurance company)