xantia - jittery suspension when braking

[chinkostu]

So the Xantia has always had this odd quirk during low speed braking, where it feels every bump. Its only around 5mph or so when slowing to a stop, but highly irritating especially as the high speed ride is sublime.


Given that too, the ride around 30mph is adequate but i've always put that down to the roads around here (its much worse in other cars!).

All 6 Spheres are either new or less than 2 years old, I actually replaced the fronts again as I thought it could have been one failing! Theres no huge ingress of air anywhere i can see and it's got clean LHM (as it was bright green when it spilled out of the fronts when changing).

Any ideas? Or is it normal!

[white exec]

Fit a couple of electrovalve LEDs, and those will tell you exactly when and under what conditions the suspension flips to firm under suspension ECU command. They really help track down peculiar suspension behaviour.

[EDIT. Ignore above: not relevant to this non-HA vehicle]

[Hell Razor5543]

I don't think it has electro-valves, as Stu said 6 spheres. I wonder if the ride height is off? If it were too high that can make it jittery (my Xantia was riding too high at the front, and always felt nervous. Got the height sorted, she felt a lot more stable).

[CitroJim]

Chris, I, like James, think Stu's may be a non-Hydractive Xantia going by his sig... Unlike the XM, usually only the VSX, Exclusive and Activa had Hydractive as standard...

This problem in my experience has usually been down to air in the brake line dead-ends or a duff accumulator...

I'd be tempted to bleed the brakes all round and at the rear, because the brake lines are so long - they go from the rear suspension to the dosuer valve at the front back to the rear callipers - bleed out at least a pint of LHM from each to ensure all air is out... To make it easier use a long bleed tube going from the nipple all the way back to the LHM reservoir...

If not that, overhaul the rear callipers and check they are not suffering the 'wedging' brought on by the old corrosion problem and if still a problem try a different pad material in the fronts from a reputable manufacturer...

[CitroJim]

James, good point on the height setting... Riding too high can cause all sorts of oddities...

[Hell Razor5543]

Stu, have you done a Citrobics session recently? It might help to free things up a bit, and make the suspension react more smoothly.

[CitroJim]

James, another good point

[Hell Razor5543]

Good to know my brain is working properly, as the rest of me is having to deal with an invasion of influenza!

[CitroJim]

Good to know my brain is working properly, as the rest of me is having to deal with an invasion of influenza!

Yes, I can confirm your brain is in perfect order James

All the best for a very quick recover from the 'flu... Hope it's not incapacitated you too much...

[white exec]

Sorry about losing count at six. You're all dead right, of course.

[RichardW]

What exactly is happening? Sudden jerks at low speed whilst braking may well be the ABS kicking back, as it has a broken ring and is confused....!

[chinkostu]

Rich it's definately not ABS as the pedal doesnt kick back as you'd expect. The best way to describe it is if you drive on high for a couple of feet you feel every bump, so it's acting that way when nearly at a stop.


I'll try the rest of the ideas as well guys, it did have a good citroebic session after the front spheres were changed. I'm thinking it might need a good lube as sometimes it'll rest slightly higher or lower after a drive!