c5 stiff rear suspension please help!!!

[gazzas c5]

rear suspension of my 52 plate c5 2.0 hdi is very stiff and hard on the road front seems ok but when you go over a bump the rear sort of bounces hard please help me or advise me what is wrong and what can i do thanks

[myglaren]

Bit more info would help. Is yours a Hydractive 3+ (with the "Sport" button)? Could be sticking in sport mode. If you dredge around in the threads a bit, especially the Activa ones, there are similar problems arising and proposed solutions.

The standard trick is to perform Citroebics - fully raise then lower the suspension half a dozen times, sometimes softens the suspension and if it doesn't do any god it will do no harm, keeps all the various linkages free.

Last week I transported a stupid amount of huge sheets of MDF for a friend, along roads with speed bumps every fifty feet. After this little exercise my suspension felt markedly softer and still does. Either I have buggered it and it will collapse dramatically sometime soon, or done it some good.

[Xaccers]

When were the rear sphere's changed?

[Old-Guy]

I agree with Xac: 6 years old - classic symptoms of rear spheres blown.

Dead easy job on a Xantia, how difficult can it be on a C5?

Please make SURE the car is properly supported so it CAN'T squash you.

[myglaren]

I agree with Xac: 6 years old - classic symptoms of rear spheres blown.

Dead easy job on a Xantia, how difficult can it be on a C5?

Please make SURE the car is properly supported so it CAN'T squash you.

While I have to say that the diagnosis makes sense with regard to Xantia's, C5 spheres have much longer lives and it seems that no-one really knows exactly how long.

I expect the only way to be sure is to have them tested. I also have an idea that you need a diagnostic computer to release the system pressure before dismantling.

There is a Citroen specialist near you that I have heard only good things about although I have no direct personal knowledge of them - Centreville Garage, who may be able to advise or inspect/test them for you.

[gazzas c5]

my 52 plate c5 2.0hdi sx rear suspension is very stiff even going along the road it bounces at the rear if you go over a bump,it hasnt got the sport mode on the suspension up and down button what should i do?its really annoying as miss the smooth comfortable drive in it thanks

[wheeler]

The diagnostic tool isnt a necesity for changing the spheres, dropping the car into low is enough to change them. loosen the spheres in high first just like the xantia.

[bencowell]

How much does a disintegrating rear arm bearing affect ride quality?

[aerodynamica]

How much does a disintegrating rear arm bearing affect ride quality?

A fair bit if it's well gone! - it can make the ride feel notchy and over damped.

It will not cause it to bounce over bumps like flat spheres can though.