94 Xantia - Lack of rear brakes and suspension

dan_the_v8man · Post by **dan_the_v8man** » 28 Oct 2006, 16:54

Hi

i've just bought a 94 xantia 1.9td

the front spheres (including the centre) have recently been changed but the rear suspension is either very minimal or non exsistant. the rear brakes are also ineffective, the rear wheels can still be turned relatively easily with the pedal hard to the floor

i've checked the linkage to the rear corrector unit, gave it a clean down and a lubricating. this all appears to be intact.

i've got no idea where to and what to look at next

im assuming there is a lack of pressure to the rear of the car due to neither suspension or brakes operating

if any one can be off help, would be much appreciated

Cheers,

Dan

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » 28 Oct 2006, 17:52

The rear brakes are fed from the rear suspension circuit - so no rear suspension pressure - no brakes.

The anti-sink valve is between the safety valve and the height corrector - and could have stuck shut. Unusual but its the only thing I can think of.

For a detailed explanation download the Citroen Technical Guide listed on the Citroen DIY site. Anti-sink is on page 32 (at least it is in my copy)

http://www.tramontana.co.hu/citroen/

Richard Gallagher · Post by **Richard Gallagher** » 28 Oct 2006, 18:41

A 94 Xantia is very unlikely to have anti-sink.

dan_the_v8man · Post by **dan_the_v8man** » 28 Oct 2006, 19:01

Richard Gallagher wrote:A 94 Xantia is very unlikely to have anti-sink.

yes if the car is left standing it will sink of its own accord

dan_the_v8man · Post by **dan_the_v8man** » 28 Oct 2006, 19:22

the front brakes now try and throw me through the windscreen with the slightest touch, is this due to the system being overfilled or could moving the linkage about to the rear when i cleaned it caused this?

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » 28 Oct 2006, 19:26

Anti sink was introduced in 1994 - the earlier ones are basically the BX system.

As you referred to 3 spheres at the fromt I thought the 3rd one was the anti-sink one.

Definitive features of anti-sink cars are no Flow Divider Valve, 2 outlet pump (one outlet - 6 pistons - for the steering, one - 2 pistons - for the suspension and brakes.) extra spheres and the anti-sink valves.

Anti-sink cars will sink - they just take longer to do it - days rather than minutes.

Richard Gallagher · Post by **Richard Gallagher** » 28 Oct 2006, 19:26

dan_the_v8man wrote:the rear suspension is either very minimal or non exsistant.

What do you mean by this? Is the ride very stiff, does it lift up to a normal, i.e. level ride height? Have you tried bleeding the brakes?

dan_the_v8man · Post by **dan_the_v8man** » 28 Oct 2006, 19:31

by that i mean the car has no give in the rear end, the suspension is doing nothing, the rear of the car has sunk right to the bottom and will refuse to lift

and no i havent tried bleeding the brakes yet

Richard Gallagher · Post by **Richard Gallagher** » 28 Oct 2006, 19:35

Ahh right then, it may be that the plastic link on the height corrector has become detached. Does the rear of the car lift if you move the lever down by the handbrake?

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » 28 Oct 2006, 19:40

I think the link is there and in place:

"i've checked the linkage to the rear corrector unit, gave it a clean down and a lubricating. this all appears to be intact."

dan_the_v8man · Post by **dan_the_v8man** » 28 Oct 2006, 19:40

no the car refuses to move at the rear

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » 28 Oct 2006, 19:48

The usual problem is that the plastic link drops off - generally as a result of the linkage siezing. The linkage can also bend and it is possble I suppose that the connection to the anti-roll bar has rotated - but I'd have thought there would have been some form of mark on the bar as it rotated.

Usual health warning - these cars can KILL if not supported properly.

dan_the_v8man · Post by **dan_the_v8man** » 28 Oct 2006, 19:52

well to be fair, im not familiar with the linkage, so with out a diagram or another car to compare it to, i cant say for certain,

as for the car sinking, it cant sink any futher

though im working over a pit anyway

dan_the_v8man · Post by **dan_the_v8man** » 28 Oct 2006, 20:54

just as a thourght,

could the lack of braking power on the rear be due to the lack of load on the suspension being as its low as possible

and what would be the first thing to do to try and solve this?

slim123 · Post by **slim123** » 29 Oct 2006, 17:33

Hi Dan.

The problem will almost certainly be the rear height is shot and needs replacing, not a difficult job to do but tricky to set up the height again without it being on a ramp.

Piccie

https://citroen-hydraulics.com/store/ag ... Correctors

Regards
Slim.

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94 Xantia - Lack of rear brakes and suspension

94 Xantia - Lack of rear brakes and suspension

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