Xantia suspension, drops on starting!

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Dave Burns
Posts: 1915
Joined: 14 May 2001, 05:30
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Unread post by Dave Burns »

Hi Alexx, in that particular scenario the car body would be at a much increased height to start with, now I don't know about others but I would spot that with my own car in a new york minute.
What you describe is possible but really is only normal because the suspension then would merely be doing what it should, which is self level, if you leave heavy weight in the car for long enough and then remove it, the same thing will happen even if the acc. sphere is good.
There's some myth that a good sphere supplies loads of oil just after starting the engine, it doesn't, the oil entering the suspension when the warning light goes out is being supplied by the pump, wether there is a good acc. sphere on or not.
At this stage the pressure in the acc. sphere and front end of the circuit (approx 90 bar) is maintained by the security valve as a function of its internal spring, as it meters out pressure to the suspension circuit, this valve does not simply fly wide open, it has to be pushed open by hydraulic pressure, so regardles of the sphere's condition, oil will go through the security valve at the same rate, and thats where the problem lies for me in trying to understand how a new sphere could possibly solve the problem of sinking suspension.
On top of that I have personaly encountered several xantias with completely flat spheres, they did not sink when the engine was started, even after nine hours standing.
Now I'm not attempting to discredit or dismiss anything said here on the subject, but these are mechanical systems with set operating patterns so if whats been said can happen I want to know about it and understand how it can happen, but for now I'm stuck with what I know.
Rory says he's found seven spheres on his car so it must be hydractive at least, that may have something to do with things.
Dave
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rory_perrett
Posts: 715
Joined: 05 Nov 2001, 19:18
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Unread post by rory_perrett »

Just to clarify - We run two Xantias - The dropping rear end problem was on the '94 1.9TD (6 spheres) The 7+ spheres are on the other one which is a 2.1TD from 1998 and has hydractive. Found the 8th sphere today on the 2.1 while doing a cam belt change - what a p*g of a job, but that's another story.
Regards
Rory
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