93 Xantia steering

This is the Forum for all your Citroen Technical Questions, Problems or Advice.

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
Allanxantia
Posts: 138
Joined: 21 Jun 2005, 03:17
Location: Scotland
My Cars:
x 2

93 Xantia steering

Post by Allanxantia »

Having just ressurected my Xantia, it sat for nearly a year. Everything seems OK suspension wise, steering is a little odd. If you steer quickly it seems to take a little while for the assistance to catch up and doesn't always self-centre that easily. Also brake pedal vibrates at gentle pressures, I am presuming a hydraflush and filter clean? I am hoping the pump is ok. Haynes does not give details on how to flush. Could it be accumulator sphere?
User avatar
Clogzz
Posts: 2115
Joined: 15 May 2005, 18:04
Location: Australia
My Cars:
x 36
Contact:

Post by Clogzz »

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Allanxantia</i>

If you steer quickly it seems to take a little while for the assistance to catch up and doesn't always self-centre that easily. Could it be accumulator sphere?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
Yes, I've had that, it's the accumulator getting low, causing the assistance to arrive late.
As for the rest, I haven't had those problems yet, so will have to leave it to those who know to post their findings and remedies.
jeremy
Posts: 3959
Joined: 20 Oct 2002, 16:00
Location: Hampshire, UK
My Cars:
x 2

Post by jeremy »

I think your 93 xantia will have the old type single outlet pump with a flow divider splitting off the supply for the steering. The circuit is reservoir, pump, flow divider, regulator, accumulator, safety valve . . .
If you look at the face under the accumulator (ie the regulator side of the thing and the side from which it is fed) there are 2 ports - one is the inlet which is fitted with a non-return valve and the other is the outlet port which leads to the safety valve and hence to the brakes and suspension. The accumulator forms no part of the steering circuit although a flat sphere may consume more high pressure LHM than it should.
The steering requires a high volume of LHM and it may be that a tired pump is unable to supply it. The pinion valve is in 2 sections (for left and right) and should it fail it is unusual for both to go together so generally the steering will go heavy on one side only.
If the car was OK before it was laid up I sugets that it is worth flushing first as the flow divider may have got sticky. This may free up with use but flushing can't do any harm and may rejuvenate the system.
Its also worth checking the condition of the pump supply hose from the reservoir as it can perish (or may have bad ends by now) and if it leaks it lets air in rather than LHM out. You may be able to see green milky LHM in the reservoir with the engine running which is a sure sign that air is getting in and this can cause all manner of strange problems as the valves can filter the air from the oil. You could for test purposes substitute a clean section of garden hose.
If the accumulator is flat the warning light may go out very quickly, the regulator will tick frequently and slow if the car is raised to full height (suspension spheres are subjected to full pressure and act as accumulators). If the accumulator is sound you should be able to get the car to normal height, let it run for a couple of minutes then turn the engine off. If you now sit in the boot the car should sink and after 30 seconds rise to its original height. If it does this the accumulator is sound.
Another point to check is that the pump drive belt is sound and very tight.
Jeremy
Peter.N.
Moderating Team
Posts: 11563
Joined: 02 Apr 2005, 16:11
Location: Charmouth,Dorset
My Cars: Currently:

C5 X7 VTR + Satnav Hdi estate Silver
C5 X7 VTR + Hdi Estate 2008 Red

In the past: 3, CX td Safaris and about 7, XM td estates. Lovely cars.
x 1199

Post by Peter.N. »

Or it could be that the belt's slipping.
Peter.N.
Moderating Team
Posts: 11563
Joined: 02 Apr 2005, 16:11
Location: Charmouth,Dorset
My Cars: Currently:

C5 X7 VTR + Satnav Hdi estate Silver
C5 X7 VTR + Hdi Estate 2008 Red

In the past: 3, CX td Safaris and about 7, XM td estates. Lovely cars.
x 1199

Post by Peter.N. »

Sorry Jeremy, I missed that bit.
jeremy
Posts: 3959
Joined: 20 Oct 2002, 16:00
Location: Hampshire, UK
My Cars:
x 2

Post by jeremy »

OK Peter - I nearly missed it as well!
Jeremy
john alexander
Posts: 360
Joined: 12 Apr 2004, 00:43
Location: livingston west lothian
My Cars:

Post by john alexander »

Hi on a 96 xantia 1.9td can the assistance on the steering be increased ,I have poor grip in my hands .Regards john.
jeremy
Posts: 3959
Joined: 20 Oct 2002, 16:00
Location: Hampshire, UK
My Cars:
x 2

Post by jeremy »

John
The level of assistance is dependant on the pump output pressure and the size of the ram on the rack. Bigger ram - more assistance. Higher the pressure the greater assistance. The pinion valve will control the commencement of assistance. As far as I know there is no regulator in the circuit so its non anjustable - any modification would have to be by substitution of parts.
Other things affecting the weight could be tyres - new are lighter than worn, tyre pressure and tyre size and condition of all bearings like ball joints.
Of course a bigger steering wheel would lighten the steering but I don't suppose thats easy either.
jeremy
xantiav6
Posts: 121
Joined: 06 Jun 2004, 22:31
Location:
My Cars:
x 3

Post by xantiav6 »

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Hi on a 96 xantia 1.9td can the assistance on the steering be increased ,I have poor grip in my hands <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
Call EAC (Essex Automotive Components) in Barking, they specialise in steering racks and should be able to help you. I think they will suggest changing the torsion spring in the control valve.
regards,
Mike
Allanxantia
Posts: 138
Joined: 21 Jun 2005, 03:17
Location: Scotland
My Cars:
x 2

Post by Allanxantia »

changed the LHM for hydraflush and cleaned filters which were really dirty and all appears good now. steering great and rises up and down fast, front and back at the same speed. Delighted.
Post Reply