Replaced my flat accumulator sphere, still getting a bumpy ride

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Re: Replaced my flat accumulator sphere, still getting a bumpy ride

Post by GiveMeABreak »

kenbw2 wrote: 09 Nov 2019, 01:00
GiveMeABreak wrote: 08 Nov 2019, 16:48 Perhaps the VIN would of helped earlier on - and may still do with further issues.
Yea you're right, I'll add it now. Better late than never I suppose

VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]
So for other contributors:

XANTIA 5 DOOR SALOON 2.0 i 16v 135 Manual gearbox 5
Hydractive Suspension
RPO: 07378 (20 January 1997)
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

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Re: Replaced my flat accumulator sphere, still getting a bumpy ride

Post by kenbw2 »

Thinking about the possible LDS contamination, I'm remembering the fluid that came out when I changed the sphere, and the fluid that leaked out when I ballsed up the seal, and it was definitely bright green. The only indication that LDS might have been in there was the fluid that came out of the gas refill end of the old accumulator was a horrible brown colour. Maybe the sphere was rusty inside?

I'm starting to wish I had normal springs! But I know this comes with the Xantia territory, so I love it just the same (even if I wish it were a simpler setup!)
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Re: Replaced my flat accumulator sphere, still getting a bumpy ride

Post by white exec »

If any dirt or discolouration in the system, well worth doing the H'cage job to shift it. Folk who have used it usually report loosening up and better ride/braking afterwards.

While it's on there, do a good few Citrobics each week to get it moving around the complete system.
Dirty LHM can be anything from brown to black!
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Re: Replaced my flat accumulator sphere, still getting a bumpy ride

Post by xantia_v6 »

Anything that comes out of the gas port of the sphere should have come from the gassing equipment (present or past). It should not have contaminated the LHM.
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Re: Replaced my flat accumulator sphere, still getting a bumpy ride

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

I REALLY hope you were not using LDS in the Xantia!!! It is certainly not compatible with LHM (which is what you SHOULD use!).
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Re: Replaced my flat accumulator sphere, still getting a bumpy ride

Post by admiral51 »

white exec wrote: 10 Nov 2019, 12:55
Dirty LHM can be anything from brown to black!
I can concur that old LHM can be anywhere between yellowish to brown to black
It does seem to me that LDS has not been used and the fluid described is actually old LHM and not really bad.

Where as This stuff was proper bad, taken out of my Xantia a few months ago.

Hydraflush is good stuff, keep up the citroebics but seems that maybe you have got good LHM in there, just need spheres checking
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Re: Replaced my flat accumulator sphere, still getting a bumpy ride

Post by white exec »

admiral51 wrote: 10 Nov 2019, 14:47 Where as This stuff was proper bad, taken out of my Xantia a few months ago.
Reminds me of an old brew called Syrup of Figs! :-s
Deserves a slot on POTD
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Re: Replaced my flat accumulator sphere, still getting a bumpy ride

Post by kenbw2 »

Bit of an update, I've replaced the accumulator sphere with a proper one. Still just the same

Was underneath replacing my exhaust this afternoon, and saw this

Image

The bumps tops are definitely seeing lots of activity
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Re: Replaced my flat accumulator sphere, still getting a bumpy ride

Post by white exec »

They come into contact if the car ever sinks (or is put) to Lowest setting. During normal driving they shouldn't be doing too much.
At least that one looks in one piece. With the PU foam they're made from cam go dark brown and crumbly. When new, they're a pale biscuit colour.
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Re: Replaced my flat accumulator sphere, still getting a bumpy ride

Post by kenbw2 »

Yea I was wondering if that could be the case. I'll stick some paper on them and go for a gentle drive. If they leave their imprint on the paper I know it's hitting them during the drive
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Re: Replaced my flat accumulator sphere, still getting a bumpy ride

Post by white exec »

A grotty one (XM rear, inside the cross-tube), now NFP...
DSCF2281_2.jpg
A new one, for downsizing...
DSCF2284_2.jpg
DSCF2284_3.jpg
And a bit of shaping...
DSCF2285_2.jpg
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Re: Replaced my flat accumulator sphere, still getting a bumpy ride

Post by kenbw2 »

Just had a strange thing happen - it happened the other day but I wanted to be sure. I opened the boot after a round of Citrobics, then a bumpy ride, and as the boot hit the top it jolted the car and up popped the rear suspension. The engine was off at the time. After that I bounced the rear, and it was soft again.

My observations today in time order:

1. Set off, the suspension is fine for like 1 minute
2. The rear suspension suddenly stiffens up. Remains stiff for the remainder of the day.
3. Bounce the rear with the engine running: extra stiff
4. Engage in some Citrobics
5. Bounce the rear with the engine running: extra stiff
6. Drive home for 5 minutes with a very bumpy ride
7. Get home, turn the engine off
8. Open the boot, up pops the suspension
9. Bounce the rear with the engine NOT running: it's soft!
10. Start the engine
11. Bounce the rear with the engine running: it's still soft
12. Set off, ride is immediately bumpy
13. Bounce the rear with the engine running: extra stiff

Hopefully this might give some indication?

Interestingly yesterday I did the same run to the shop and back twice. Of the 4 legs, 3 of them the ride was fine, the 4th it was really bumpy again.
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Re: Replaced my flat accumulator sphere, still getting a bumpy ride

Post by xantia_v6 »

I don't have time right now to write anything up, but it sounds like a classic case of: viewtopic.php?t=31881
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Re: Replaced my flat accumulator sphere, still getting a bumpy ride

Post by kenbw2 »

xantia_v6 wrote: 18 Nov 2019, 12:48 I don't have time right now to write anything up, but it sounds like a classic case of: viewtopic.php?t=31881
Hmm that kinda sucks, but all of it fits. That is, except for the high tick rate - since I replaced the accumulator sphere it hardly clicks at all.

I also want to make sure I'm not misunderstanding something. "Hard mode" sounds like normal operation, but what I experience can't be normal as it's way too rough. Unless this fault causes it to feel worse?
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Re: Replaced my flat accumulator sphere, still getting a bumpy ride

Post by xantia_v6 »

From your previous posts it is fairly certain that you also have flat rear corner spheres, but that is a separate (and more important) problem.
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