suspension transformed

[lexi]

Have now did the three spheres on the front of Xantia.......wow! I no longer have a French trampoline. Although tight my spheres came off with the cold chisel method. A sharp cold chisel was my method with a heavy mash hammer. I angled chisel at 30deg on the welded seam of sphere........don`t bite straight into it. One was very tight and I took a nice metal pencil like shaving from it before I moved to another part of the sphere and started again. Because you are not digging the chisel in straight there is little chance of a puncture as you are only about 1mm into the weld as it gets a grip. I actually welded up a removal tool but found this method easy.

Also had a knock at front nearside. It was the vertical drop arm. I bought a Lemforder one. I used molegrips to hold at the rubber joint and then put a 240 volt impact gun on it........bingo ! out first time top and bottom. Mmm no wonder it was noisy. Apart from being worn it was 10mm stud instead of 12!

Did the hydraflush before spheres. I used the original French stuff which is a Dark honey colour. I love bleeding these brakes...so easy. Long filter was dirtier than D shaped one. All very fine dust like. I will price up new ones when cleaning fluid comes out.

It drives nice now. I like this car

[/u]

[MikeT]

I used the original French stuff which is a Dark honey colour.

Good to hear you're enjoying the rewards of your efforts. Why people don't care for basic maintenance is beyond me.

What French stuff? Are you talking about LHM or flushing oil? Brand and supplier names please

[lexi]

It was Hydraurincage Alan. Passed Mot today..no probs 8)

[MikeT]

Passed Mot today..no probs 8)

Congrats! Mine passed a couple of weeks ago and I've since learnt my old Xantia has a new MOT too.

[Peter.N.]

The centre spheres are the ones mainly responsible for the soft ride, its amazing how many people just change the corner ones and wonder why the ride hasn't improved much. Its nice when you feel that suppleness isn't it.

[lexi]

Yes Peter it`s a great system. I towed a small 16 ft boat the other night with it. It`s not that heavy but on normal cars you can feel it pitching and pulling at you..........not on the Xantia. The Citroen felt as rock solid as my Patrol 4.2 d..........and that was a 2 1/2 ton beast .

Xantia is also using half the fuel of Patrol 8)

[Peter.N.]

It is, and even better in the XM. I can carry half a ton in my estate without it noticably affecting the handling - slows it down a bit mind

[rowanmoor]

It is, and even better in the XM. I can carry half a ton in my estate without it noticably affecting the handling - slows it down a bit mind

You know you want a 2.5 really, Peter Just ignore the MPG and engine access. Though I would love to know what MPG you could get out of one.

[Peter.N.]

Its my sanity I'm concerned about!