Why is my Xantia driving like a pimp mobile ??

[Steviebax]

Hi folks

I've never had a citroen before but l was under the impression that the suspension was supposed to be as smooth as a velvet carpet ??

So why does the front of my R reg xantia bounce up and down when l go over small bumps in the road. My other car is a Vectra and it hardly moves on the same tarmac - nice and level. The Xantia front end goes up and down like a ship on the sea. I replaced the accumulator cos it was shot so it's not that.

My car does not have hydroactive suspension or an active anti-roll bar, it's simply the basic model.

So l'm assuming a sphere on each corner, one anti sink, and one accumulator.

Can anyone help - could it be the rear suspension spheres which are shot ??

Oh, and the LHM fluid is nice a fresh (green) - but l've noticed that the LHM level indicator is right at the top.. Could it be overfull ??

How do you check ???

Cheers.

[jgra1]

hi Steve, fluid level shoud read overfilled when suspension in normal mode..

when suspension fully up, then you should get a reading between the two marks.

Sounds like front spheres....


John

[RichardW]

New front spheres required (assuming the ride height is OK).

Check LHM with suspension on high - indicator should drop and be between the lines. Will not affect the ride though - just makes a mess of overfull!

[Xaccers]

New spheres are about £20 from GSF, replace both front ones, also check how long between the ticks from the accumulator sphere when the engine is running, if it's less than a minute, replace that sphere.
If there's no service history of sphere changes, it might be worth replacing all 6 spheres anyway.

Here's how to make your own sphere removal tool:
http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... hp?t=21850

The BoL (haynes manual) covers it pretty well, but for the rears, if they're grubby, set the suspension on high, get friends to sit in the boot, and then slacken the spheres just a little bit like that (making sure the car is supported if you work under it!), then with axle stands on the back jacking points, set the suspension on low, and follow the BoL instructions for depressurising the system (ie undo the bolt by the accumulator sphere until it hisses, and let it finish hissing).
Doing this will make the car tilt on the stands, and so lift the back up so you can easily get under.
Having people in the boot and suspension on high secures the rear struts in place so that they don't spin when you try to undo the spheres.

[Old-Guy]

For more detailed instructions (than the BOL), have a look at this sticky

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... hp?t=24595

I've just done all 6 spheres on my N-reg Xantia using CitroJim's instructions and added my experiences to that thread.

My rear spheres were incredibly tight but an 18" breaker bar on an oil-filter chain wrench (£4.69 from Machine Mart - product: 040210243) shifted them after a good squirt of Plus-Gas had been left to soak in for an hour or so.

Please DO NOT apply great force to the rear spheres while the car is on axle stands - you could quite easily topple the car off the stands and you probably wouldn't survive the splat.

[addo]

I'd suggest also that the "smoothness" of a standard Xantia might have been overstated to the OP. Mine's in good hydraulic and general suspension health (touch plastic) and it responds differently to normally sprung cars - but does not magically smooth out a ragged surface.

Note to original poster - ensure that any replacement spheres fitted, have the correct specs.

Regards, Adam.

[lolingram]

I'd suggest also that the "smoothness" of a standard Xantia might have been overstated to the OP. Mine's in good hydraulic and general suspension health (touch plastic) and it responds differently to normally sprung cars - but does not magically smooth out a ragged surface.

As addo says, the ride is not quite magic carpet, albeit extremely good. To exprience this you need to try a CX or DS. These both have longer travel supension thanks to wishbones.