Another suspension question??

[Jazzbo]

I’m hoping that someone may be able to help with a quick diagnosis or some handy hints on possible remedies for hard rear Suspension wife’s xantia.
The problem began after she took a speed bump at speed!!! Enough to have the spare tyre cradle jump off its hook and send a shower of sparks out the back of the car. One of her students likened the experience to a space shuttle reentering the earth’s atmosphere. So glad I wasn’t in the car.
Since the incident the cars suspension is rock hard in the rear, feels like both sides, and needs fixing ASAP.
I’m about to get someone to look at it but as is often the case Citroen’s can make some mechanics nervous so I’m looking for some places to start. Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Cheers...a kiwi Citroen owner

[white exec]

Hi, and welcome.

Hydractive or non-Hydractive Xantia? Do post the car's VIN number if in doubt.

Suspension in good condition should survive that without any problem, but could either have dislodged something, or, if the rear spheres were low on gas pressure, it could have ruptured one or more sphere diaphragms.

To test, with engine running, car stationary, try pressing down on the rear end, and see whether there is any softness there. If none, suspect the spheres.

If car riding at the normal height (height lever on Normal) ?

[Jazzbo]

Thanks for that Chris. I’ll run that test tomorrow.
I have a few spheres here off another Xantia. Are they specific to location ie rear spheres different to front spheres?
Height lever is on normal and the car feels to me that it’s riding at “normal” height.
I appreciate your input...

[thorter]

Could be as simple as the dog bone come off, which can leave the height corrector in the central OFF position. If the pressure in the rear suspension falls below the sphere fill pressure, the suspension feels solid, even if height appears nearly normal.
F

[white exec]

The front and rear spheres are different.
If you can post your VIN, we can list the correct sphere spec for the car.

Yes, could be dog-bone become detached. It's the small plastic connector between the height corrector and the anti-roll-bar link. One at the front, one at the rear.

[xantia_v6]

If the height goes up and down normally with the lever, and seems to be correct in the normal position, then it is fairly certain that the spheres have died.

Although the spheres are specific to front and rear, any good sphere could be fitted for a static test to see if the suspension behaves somewhat normally, but correct specification spheres should be fitted for driving.

If you are removing rear sphere, they must be initially loosened with the suspension set to high to lock the cylinders from twisting, then once they have unscrewed 1/4 turn, set the suspension to low to release the pressure before removing the sphere.

[Jazzbo]

Thanks for the advice everyone.
I’ll follow up on it and let you know how I get on.

[Jazzbo]

Vin number VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]
So car stationary and running, no softness in the rear at all. Front does have a soft feel.
Height adjuster does everything it should by raising and lowering the car.
Torrential rain at present and no garage meant a wet inspection for plastic dog bone - no sign of it although my dive mask was fogging up. Will get the car into a garage and on a hoist for a closer look. Cheers Jim

[white exec]

Thanks for the VIN number.
Car is XANTIA 5 DOOR SALOON 2.0 i 16v 135 Manual gearbox 5
RP 7235 = build date of 30.8.1996

Your bounce test suggests that the rear spheres have had it, either because of gas loss, or (due to the impact) the diaphragms rupturing (which they are prone to if gas pressure is low).

Correct spheres are as follows:
volume cc / pressure bar / damper orifice mm
FF corners: 450/50/1.5, or 400/55/1.5
Main accumulator: 400/62/-- (-- = no damping)
RR corners: 400/30/1.2

[Jazzbo]

Thanks for that Chris.
I appreciate the help from you and the forum.
We love this car and have had lots of fun keeping it on the road.
I’ll post an update on the progress. All the best
Jim.

[aneesh84]

I recently changed to the 70 bar front and 40 bar rear sphere on my xantia which were from the earlier petrol and 1.9 D xantias, and I find the ride much more comfortable. Slight body roll when going fast on a roundabout, but I would never go back to the standard spheres.