xantia front suspension top mounts

WORDAVE · Post by **WORDAVE** » 31 Mar 2005, 07:35

my n/s front suspension mount has disintergrated is this normal it doent look very strong,is it awkward to do,or can i just take the top nut off and drop the part down,[?]

xantiaBFY · Post by **xantiaBFY** » 31 Mar 2005, 09:40

better do it before this happens.[}:)]

zzf00l · Post by **zzf00l** » 31 Mar 2005, 12:29

sbraud · Post by **sbraud** » 31 Mar 2005, 13:33

Ouch.... That’s not pretty !! [xx(][xx(]
Did my O/S last month for the same reason. It has corroded 180 degrees. Seeing this makes me glad I did too. Think I’ll do N/S soon as it's original and can’t be far behind. [?]
Saw a thread from NiSk, I think, last month. It said there was some problem with the manufacture of top plate which made it prone to corrode.
Dave,
It’s easy to do and quick too. I did it in a few hours and you should see the slow speed I work at! [;)] You might want to sort out strut soonest.
I’m assuming it’s a Xantia we’re talking about. If you do a search on strut replacement you’ll find lots of help. I can post details if you need more.
Cheers
Steve
Cheers

ITMA · Post by **ITMA** » 29 May 2005, 03:04

I have just looked at mine and the O/S looks decidedly dodgy (pushed a key through in one place).[xx(]
Are new struts a Citroen only part, and therefore very expensive, or can aftermarket ones be bought? I couldn't see anything in the GSF catalogue so is the only alternative a visit to the scrap yard for a long search?[:(]
Thanks [:D]

sbraud · Post by **sbraud** » 31 May 2005, 00:16

Hi ITMA,
GSF part no N43462/4
Cheers
Steve

ITMA · Post by **ITMA** » 31 May 2005, 03:23

Hi Steve,
Thanks for part number. Eventually found it after trying several combinations - you need to drop the "/4" on the GSF search.[:)]
At £140 (presumably plus VAT) per side I will have to decide if the old bus is worth it[:(]
It's nice to know that this site has such a great following of enthuiasts who are prepared to put something in. Haven't found many sites as good. Keep up the good work guys[:D]
Chris

Kowalski · Post by **Kowalski** » 31 May 2005, 03:30

At £140 a piece I'd very carefully look into repairing the existing ones or getting new top mounts made up.
What sbraud meant about the part numbers was N43462 and N43464, i.e. two part numbers one for left one for right.

ErikDK · Post by **ErikDK** » 31 May 2005, 03:52

I recently bought two 96 Xantias and almost all cars (more than 15) I looked at had problems with the front suspension top mount. Several of the cars had actually had an accident like the one shown here - for some reason (money I guess) the owners had only replaced the one broken - I will highly recommend changing the other as well! I have new ones in our cars now.
I visited a workshop here in Denmark and they had more than 50 of these broken top mounts - they hope to find a way of renovating them but have not yet succeded in this. A few years ago thay have not seen this damage so it appears that when the Xantia gets around 8 years old we have to carefully check the condition of the top mount (at least with the climate we have here in DK).
It very simple to check - just look at the bottom of the top mount - typically the rubber gets loose at the edge where it is supposed to be fixed on the steel plate - most often you can see it directly and feel it with your fingers - if the rubber is loose I recommend changing the topmount.
So now it's time to go checking the cars!

DoubleChevron · Post by **DoubleChevron** » 31 May 2005, 06:21

Hi Guys,
it's not just corrosion. In Australia there's not such thing as corrosion, yet these top mounts have been known to fail (possibly heat/humidity also affects them ??).
seeya,
Shane L.

FrenchLeave · Post by **FrenchLeave** » 01 Jun 2005, 03:08

I don't know why you Xant owners are getting in a tizzy, that photo is of an XM (gulp!).

DoubleChevron · Post by **DoubleChevron** » 01 Jun 2005, 10:23

There has been a couple of Xantias in australia that have popped there strut through the bonnet (it's **ugly**).
seeya,
Shane L.

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 01 Jun 2005, 13:31

its probably rubber perishes so i very much dought you could repair old ones unless you have acsses to rubber moulding plant,also i have not cecked price of new mounts,but you dont have to replace hole strut just top mount regards malcolm

adzbaby · Post by **adzbaby** » 01 Jun 2005, 13:54

They are pretty straightforward to change considering other hydraulic components can be an absolute nightmare to replace e.g. the front height corrector!
Personally there is no way I would pay £280 for a pair, that is just crazy, I'd rather buy another xantia for that!
I would just source a couple in good condition from a scrap yard, will cost around £60 the pair!!

Chrispy · Post by **Chrispy** » 01 Jun 2005, 16:27

Re citronut, so you can just change the top mount? That's the round steel bit with the rubber attached I take it? Mine are starting to look a little brown/ rusty, but I prodded them and they appear to be solid. When they do need replacing it would be nice to know that the whole strut doesn't need renewing. At £140 a pop that would sting a little...