Suspension fault

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 31 May 2006, 22:30

folks, it looks like i have sold my car in the next few days, and guess what, the car wont come up from full down or vice versa, at the back.

Xantia 1.8 i 1999

plastic link is fine

I rebuilt and cleaned the rear corrector quite recently. I have been under car (on ramps) and i can disconnect manual adjuster, get the car full up and full down but it wont recenter. This is the same with the override rod connected.

I have to assume, as the linkage all seems fairly free moving, that the corrector is sticking to the point that it wont correct. I cant think what else it could be.

has anyone got a diagram of the insides of the corrector just so , if i pull the back off, I can check all is together ok?

maybe new LHM and a flush and filters is the only option... but late for that tho
john

KevMayer · Post by **KevMayer** » 31 May 2006, 23:27

http://www.tramontana.co.hu/citroen/gui ... cation/pdf

Save the pdf document in the link above. It's an excellent guide to basic hydraulic Citroen components.

There's a section which explains how the height corrector works, although not a detailed assembly drawing, it may be of use.

Basically the height corrector should blank off the supply and return pipes from the spheres when it is in the set ride height position. If yours won't stay in the set position then you must have a leak either from supply to spheres (causing it to raise to max height) or a leak from spheres to return (causing it to sink to lowest level).

Hope this helps.

Cheers, Kev

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 01 Jun 2006, 00:20

Kev thanks, but it seems to me that it just wont center, despite the corrector/roll bar link spring applying pressure one way or another (depending on wether suspension up or down) ?

even with Manual overide adding some pressure by benig in 'normal' position, the corrector is stuck,,,

Mandrake · Post by **Mandrake** » 01 Jun 2006, 07:20

Since you dissassembled it, is it possible that you've got the assembly order of the circlips, springs, and washer plates mixed up ? (Or perhaps even the shaft inserted from the wrong end ?)

By the way, if an assembly problem is suspected, when the height corrector is out of the car you can check the functioning of the ports when the shaft is moved one way or the other by just blowing compressed air into the port which normally goes to the suspension - the single high pressure union on one side.

When the height corrector is in the "rest" condition in the centre (which it should return to simply by releasing any pressure on the shaft) you shouldn't be able to blow through that port. (EG blocked) When you move the shaft one way you should be able to blow through that port and out one of the others, and when you move it the other way it will come out the other port...

Regards,
Simon

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 01 Jun 2006, 09:14

thanks Simon.,

to be honest the rebuild was back in Feb. and the car has been pretty good since then.. hmmm.. the only thing thats changed is that i have not used the car recently, which points to seized parts.. i wont know until i seperate the corrector and the roll bar link I guess to see which part is failing. All is well sprayed with penetrating oil..

John

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 01 Jun 2006, 12:30

Kevin what a PDF!!

my head hurts but I am very grateful!

thankyou
John

mezuk04 · Post by **mezuk04** » 01 Jun 2006, 12:53

A PDF is a file type which is created from using Adobe Acrobat, eg

Microsoft Word = Doc.file
Microsoft Powerpoint = PPt.file
Microsoft Excel = xls.file
Adobe Acrobat = PDF.file

Adobe can be downloaded 'free' off the internet, having this software (you may already have it somewhere) allows you to view pdf content off the internet and view pdf files that are sent to you by email for example.

You cannot open a PDF file without Adobe on your pc/laptop

Post by **RichardW** » 01 Jun 2006, 14:15

What a PDF, not what's a PDF !

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 01 Jun 2006, 14:21

Mez UK er

thanks

8)

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 01 Jun 2006, 16:58

www.citroen-ds-id.com/ hc/chapter4.html

shows an old DS corrector, looks similar to modern ones..

i hope i can fix mine tonight...

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 01 Jun 2006, 20:11

ok

i hve just been under car/

I have removed manual overide rod
plastic roll bar to corrector link
the corrector is still attached to the three pipes, but is loose
I have removed it from the corrector linkage assembly
i have taken the rear half of it apart
in this order.>
dust cover,
8mm nut
metal outer ring
Diaphragm
flat plate
spring
spring clip
metal disc

I cannot see any dirt, the whole rod assembly seems to move free (one way easier than other due to having removed all of above)
The sprung linkage which actuates the piston rod is moving well..

now i am stuck

J

Mandrake · Post by **Mandrake** » 01 Jun 2006, 20:34

jgra1 wrote:i have taken the rear half of it apart
in this order.>
dust cover,
8mm nut
metal outer ring
Diaphragm
flat plate
spring
spring clip
metal disc

That order doesn't seem right...what is the "flat plate" you refer to ? (Perhaps you could take a picture with the parts laid out in the order you think they go on ?)

Counting from reverse order (from the middle of the height corrector body outwards) you should have the spring first (with the small diameter side facing inwards to the body from memory) then the round washer, then the circlip to retain the washer.

Is this not what you have ? Looking at the height corrector from the outside after removing the rubber diaphram you should not be able to see the spring - it should be hidden underneath the small round washer/disc, if you've got the spring outside of this washer it's definately assembled wrong.

The springs under the washers (on each end) push the washers outwards until they press against the circlips, and the balance of spring tension between the two equal springs is what moves the height corrector shaft (via the circlips) to the middle (closed) position when no force is applied to the shaft.

Regards,
Simon

PS that website with the DS info on it appears to have the "old" style DS height correctors, which have significant internal differences and aren't the same as the modern ones...Doublechevron would know more about the differences between the old and new types so hopefully he will chime in..

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 01 Jun 2006, 21:12

ar*e

Simon, didnt see this in time. have put it back together and its perfect...

absolutely/./.

(I know what your going to say)

grrr!!

time for dinner

davetd · Post by **davetd** » 01 Jun 2006, 21:30

What an excellent pdf 8) Can I bin the Haynes BOL now

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 01 Jun 2006, 21:50

Dave,

Simon, if we assume the springs are both in the wrong place and have been since Feb, can you think of a theory as to the demise of the height correction over time?

i.e. yesterday, it gave up completely.. but it has worked well for some time...

John