2013 C5 X7 tourer rear suspension too high

[drunkendesperado]

Hi!

I've been reading around the forum for a few weeks now, after buying an estate C5 X7 at the beginning of December.
I've got an issue with the suspension, which just isn't as comfortable as it should be. But contrary to many posters here, it's the rear end that looks visually too high, not the front.
Going over long speed bumps, my wife in the back (with new baby) says it's unbelievably uncomfortable coming down from the bump, with it feeling like the wheels drop first, then the body follows. A bit of a thump (especially with something loose in the boot) can be heard.

When the car is at a standstill on my drive, the rear is visibly higher than the front - front end gap between tyre and wing seems fine, the rear looks like it's an SUV almost.
With a very unprofessonal tape-measure measurement, it seems the rear is ~2cm higher off the ground than the front, with the front being ~41-41,5cm center of wheel to wing, while the rear is at ~43,5 for the same measurement.

Motion seems fine, with the car dropping low and coming back to normal without issue (I read that some people with height sensor issues have trouble raising it back from the bottom).

What could be the places to look for the problem?

Thanks

[MattBLancs]

That definitely looks wrong!

There's a procedure for calibrating the height, and I think that yours wants doing. Unfortunately there ends my knowledge of the actual process, but it's done via Diagbox and taking height measurements to "reference points" on the underside of the car.

Just for interest, which height setting is that picture taken at? Can take a snap of mine at same setting to crudely compare if you want

[drunkendesperado]

Just for interest, which height setting is that picture taken at? Can take a snap of mine at same setting to crudely compare if you want

Thanks, that is taken at normal height setting, after inserting key, ignition on, driver's door open, door closed. I hope that was the correct procedure.
However, it's the same once the engine is running, too.

[MattBLancs]

Ok, will grab a picture at same setting tomorrow.
Will measure wheel centre to arch too just as rough comparison.

(Can't promise a snowy backdrop though )

[Sloppysod]

Hi I know mines a saloon, but this sheet may give you some idea of a ballpark figure, remembering the Estate probably rides slightly higher than the saloon.
Setting the suspension height is not that difficult but helps if you have a Diagbox handy.
Two Warnings,

• NEVER EVER Go under your car and adjust the suspension without enough room for your body when car is at its lowest level - Ramps & Axle stands minimum

• Don't try to 'Just'' adjust the height controller on the rollbars, 0.5 degree can equal about 30mm of height, and you could easily mess everything up.

[MattBLancs]

At normal height

Rear:
wheel centre to top of arch 410mm
Floor to top of arch 735mm

Front
Wheel centre to top of arch 410mm
Floor to top of arch 720mm

Didn't have the car key with me, so might be a touch lower, as pump not run.

(Only just remembered now and loosing the light, sorry!)

[MattBLancs]

Ah, that picture is terrible with the black car!

Will try again in the daylight tomorrow give you a fighting chance of seeing anything meaningful!

[drunkendesperado]

Sorry, had a brainfart with the computer and uploaded the wrong image as "rear left" (which was, in fact, the rear right).

Re-uploaded all 4 corners, hopefully correctly captioned.

[Sloppysod]

Sorry, had a brainfart with the computer and uploaded the wrong image as "rear left" (which was, in fact, the rear right).

Re-uploaded all 4 corners, hopefully correctly captioned.

Sorry, but I would yes I think you do have a problem, the gap between tyre an wheel arch is massive . That looks like to suspension is on high!
Does it move up or down when you activate the switch?
You need a diagnostic check to make sure everything is OK.

[drunkendesperado]

I haven't got to diagnostics yet, but I tried the system bleeding method mentioned here: viewtopic.php?p=738860#p738860 PS - should the high setting mentioned in the procedure be the high deiving setting, or the highest, wheel change setting?
The car moves up and down somewhat slowly, but I have no knowledge of how fast it should be.
Also, is it normal that the front moves first and the rear afterwards?
Anyway, on high setting and low setting there still seemed to be a 2cm-ish difference between front and back. I also noticed that after low position, full lock to full lock and ignition off, the LDS fluid still wasn't visible in the mesh filling area, so would that suggest there isn't enough?
No change in normal setting after bleeding twice, rear still higher than front.
Adding a couple of extra pictures from one side, high setting and low setting.

[GiveMeABreak]

The highest setting first then the lowest setting with regard to the bleeding procedure as you are trying to ensure fluid is forced throughout the whole system to push any air trapped around the circuit.

[aerodynamica]

I haven't got to diagnostics yet, but I tried the system bleeding method mentioned here: viewtopic.php?p=738860#p738860 PS - should the high setting mentioned in the procedure be the high deiving setting, or the highest, wheel change setting?
The car moves up and down somewhat slowly, but I have no knowledge of how fast it should be.
Also, is it normal that the front moves first and the rear afterwards?
Anyway, on high setting and low setting there still seemed to be a 2cm-ish difference between front and back. I also noticed that after low position, full lock to full lock and ignition off, the LDS fluid still wasn't visible in the mesh filling area, so would that suggest there isn't enough?
No change in normal setting after bleeding twice, rear still higher than front.
Adding a couple of extra pictures from one side, high setting and low setting.

As far as I am aware the fluid is only visible at the bottom of the filler of the tank when the system is fully depressurised.

[C5entusiast]

Hi I know mines a saloon, but this sheet may give you some idea of a ballpark figure, remembering the Estate probably rides slightly higher than the saloon.
Setting the suspension height is not that difficult but helps if you have a Diagbox handy.
Two Warnings,

• NEVER EVER Go under your car and adjust the suspension without enough room for your body when car is at its lowest level - Ramps & Axle stands minimum

• Don't try to 'Just'' adjust the height controller on the rollbars, 0.5 degree can equal about 30mm of height, and you could easily mess everything up.

Are these the reference values ??that were entered on the Diabox after adjustment?

[GiveMeABreak]

I've responded to your post here: viewtopic.php?p=742486#p742486

The whole point in completing the procedure is to get the values from your own vehicle! If your height setting is out, then using values from another vehicle is not going to help you as those will be based on that person's vehicle.

If it was that easy and one-for-all, Citroen wouldn't bother giving you the correct procedure to check. Once you undertake the measurements for your own vehicle, you will come up with a calculated value for the front and rear, specific to your vehicle. You then enter these unique values into Diagbox, which undertakes the height correction automatically. It's a waste of time entering values from another vehicle.