working on an X7 exclusive - jacking issues

[jgra1]

hi all.. I am beginning to feel a bit silly..

Every time I work on the X7 I can never work out how to stop the suspension dropping after lifting the front. On older citroens I am sure in low position, the wheel to be removed would stay raised? On the X7, the hub/wheel/disc etc all just drop. Basically, I need to remove a driveshaft, have driven onto ramps with hydraulic lifting plates on, set suspension to low.. lifted the 'ramp plates' (and therefore the wheels) , put axle stands under the subframe.. but when I lower the ramp plates the front wheels just drop back down, the ramp cant be removed and neither can the wheel..

is there some way to lock the suspension so it stays up? or do I need to de-pressurise things with diagbox so it's easier to lift it back up? the unsprung weight is quite large..or am I fighting a strut that has refilled with fluid..

what am I missing.. or shall I throw thes fancy ramps away and go old school, a jack, axle stands until i have the car high enough
thanks, John

[GiveMeABreak]

Check out the procedure in the Resources section John:

viewtopic.php?t=69232

[jgra1]

may thanks Marc! very useful

Do you have the PN's for 1 - 5 by any chance?*

I had more luck yesterday with Jacking, and re-ran the engine again which did pull the wheels up at last! all good now.

* don't worry, I have emailed nearest dealer for some prices..

[Sloppysod]

This is my method and it works for me, you can try it if you like.
I have always, ever since, my GSA days, put the suspension in high, jacked up alittle to get stands under the subframes, then if working on the Suspension, dropped and depressurised the suspension, the wheels would lift a little. Then when I am finished put the suspension in the Highest setting again before taking it off the stands. - The only thing I do different now is slacken the Filler tank cap.

I may be wrong but I think this stems from the wheel changing proceedure as detailed in the GSA owners manual, they did not have a jack as such but an adjustable stand!

[jgra1]

thanks Stu I think I tend to do the same normally.. just like to use these ramps to get a head-start.. the irony is when doing the OS driveshaft you don't need much access underneath anyway! the hockey bolts on the intermediate bearing have long gone thankfully, now there are two spline 40 bolts that are threaded into the housing, accessible from the wheel arch.

all ok so far, a new driveshaft, £230 ouch !

I think my issue was that either I hadn't selected low, or the car hadn't had time to lower properly and was fighting me.. engine back on and all was good. I know next time to depressurise as well, although everything has worked without doing that !


should be refitting tomorrow eve..

these are the sort of ramps I use https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/312369461193 ... BMvujgtppg

[Sloppysod]

They are posh (heavy) ramps. Mine are basic and probably 30+ years old and rewelded a few times.
I find that the 10-12" my ramps give me is enough to get my jack and blocks under the subframe. The rears are bit different, but I have made something similar to this to place under the subframe.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124799211049 ... emis&media