Modification to Xantia height corrector cradles

[citroenxm]

Hmmm interesting mod graeme... but im reserved about the bearings... we all know things are not sealed for life.. id be concerened about constant salt water exposure.. did you weld the bearings in or weld a bearing "House" in place?

Ive never liked the xantia style of height control. The bx and xm used a metal lever rod which was far simpler in design and never led to cars height sticking either down or up. I think thjs corrector unit is strongly responsible for a loss of a lot of xantias where an owner had a sticky height and the lesser mechanic simply put it down to the system as a whole and therefore a car scrapped for the simple reason of sticky levers..... certainly the rear thats very exposed to wet etc...
otherwise amazing effort. I look forward to long term reports

[wurlycorner]

I think thjs corrector unit is strongly responsible for a loss of a lot of xantias where an owner had a sticky height and the lesser mechanic simply put it down to the system as a whole and therefore a car scrapped for the simple reason of sticky levers..... certainly the rear thats very exposed to wet etc...

I would definitely agree with you there...
I remember a guy asking me to look at his Xantia years ago (before I'd ever driven/worked on one) after several other garages had failed to fix the problem and he was on the verge of giving up.
He didn't know me from Adam, but had driven past seeing me doing lots of work on my CXs he felt more trust in me than garages. I had no knowledge of the system myself, but I diagnosed a seized rear height corrector without too much hassle and replaced it (also hydraflushed the car because it had done something like 150k and I wasn't sure whether the corrector was sticking internally as well as the linkage) and as far as I know... All was good!

I still see the odd Xantia driving round with the back end sat on the deck, now. Such a shame considering what a simple job to fix...

[aerodynamica]

Hi Paul, the bearing housings or outer races are pressed into the modified levers and given 4 tacks around theor edge to secure them. You're right on the 'sealed' nature of the bearings though so it does remain to be seen how well the bearings will last. I do reckon they'll out live the car thougH.

I think you're right about the seized xantia units being a potential 'final nail' in the coffin of an oldy though.

The only main problem I found with the CX/ BX type of design was the torsional rod pivoting in a bronze bush in the subframe. It gets metal on metal wear and lots of free play as a result. The same problem at the end of the lever where it acts on the hight corrector ball joint and it all adds up. I fitted XM type screw-on bronze pivots to my last CX and that made a difference but the front end always ended up sitting a little too high (sometimes rocking the car slightly was enough to just jar the HC mech to wake up and lower it down that inch or so) The end of the lever part on the CX tended to get friction between it and the HC valve ball that took a little nudge to free off, I had it packed with grease and there was the correct tiny clearance but still it persisted. I think the plastic dog leg link is used to get around that by making the slightly out-of-line forces from the mech to the HC less of an issue. XM had a kind of cross between the two - a linkage resembling the BX type but a plastic dog leg link at the end direct on to the HC (thought funnily enough it was this plastic link on my blue XM that actually seized on to the lever ball due to ...... rust!

Anyway I'll see how well it works long term.

[KennyW]

Very interesting mod Graeme, I'm curious to see how it goes. A lot of potential there!!

Kenny

PS How did you get on with the ignition barrel problem alittle while back.

[aerodynamica]

Hi Kenny, that was on my previous Xantia - The usual problem of the contacts burning out for the fan and heated rear window relay. I think I had problems fitting the replacement barrel due to it being such an early Mk1 I also needed the switch part off the end and the early and later type aren't inter changeable so it didn't work out. The barrel itself is still with the spares that went to the new owner. I think the car is still going strong all the same! I'm trying to protect my current Xantia by switching off the heater fan when parked overnight so the surge doesn't go through the ignition switch when it is started again.... I don't always remember though...

[KennyW]

Graeme,
No problems, strange I still have more ignition barrels but these are for mk 2's which has the mod factory fitted. I don't know if they will fit your mk 1.
Kenny

[Stickyfinger]

How early is the car you need a lock from ?

[CitroJim]

Excellent job and write up, definitely a candidate for the FCF Wiki!

Very much agreed on both counts

Excellent work Graeme

[aerodynamica]

Ha, thanks Jim, it's still working very well.

Re. the lock barrels - mine is a '93 Xantia ORGA 6086 so 8th July 1993. My friend's Xantia (my old one) is 6143 so 3rd September 1993. What date/ orga number did the improved switch come in to production?

The later lock barrel will fit the early car but you have to replce the barrel AND the switch on the end of it together. The three main multi connectors to the wiring are (appear to be) exactly the same. But you can't remove the switch and replace only that part with the later type as the lock barrel does not fit it. That was the original problem.

Here is a pic of the two switches - think the white one is the early, early one. This was a few years ago now so cn't quite recall.

[Stickyfinger]

Let me know if a 97/8 car has the type you need if you cannot sort it.

[aerodynamica]

Thanks Alisdair, but I'm not sure about what fits what from the later models. Mine fuctions fine just now I simply switch the fan off before cranking over to protect it. I don't knoe if my mate Steve ever fixed his though.

The main things I need are a replacement Infra red receiver and a square plug for the rear wheel arch. In an ideal world I'd really want a new 'chrome' for the front bumper as mine had been cracked in the past and crudely repared with a bit of silver paint to hide the crack (looks bad )

If anyone can help with those items!

Longer term I will need to replace the 2 front wings with replacement Mk1 in quartz but there's no desperation for that.

[Stickyfinger]

If the plug is the sill end seal, you can get then from Citroen still, just ordered 2 myself. The IR should be easy from a local scrapper, if not I have one from a car with a deactivated alarm so its not needed. Get some "Chrome tape" for the front trim, ebay.....you cannot get "new" except for the sides.

[aerodynamica]

Unfortunately it's the plug at the back. Gives access to the rear bumper mounting bolt but when missing lets water get in to undesirable areas!

Hoping to find a S/H replacement for the front chrome - I cant repair it as it's actually broken in two.

[Stickyfinger]

You can insert a length of wire behind for strength and and cement it in place with Polyvinyl , then cover ?