Citroen Xantia 1.9 TD, year 96, Intermittent Stop light.

Napoleon · Post by **Napoleon** » 18 Apr 2010, 13:10

I know a month has passed, and I still haven't done this job...

What I wanted to ask was how many spheres are there in total?

Is it six? Accumulator, Anti-Sink and four others one one in each corner?

Post by **CitroJim** » 18 Apr 2010, 13:22

Napoleon wrote: What I wanted to ask was how many spheres are there in total?

Can I phone a friend?

Depends on the car Nelson...

Standard means non-hydractive (i.e. Not VSX/Exclusive)

Standard Sinker: 5

Standard Antisink: 6

Sinking VSX:7

Antisink VSX/Exclusive:8

Activa: 10

Napoleon · Post by **Napoleon** » 18 Apr 2010, 19:49

The more I look at this, the more I realise that it's little to do with the spheres, but all to do with the strut/leg on the front N/S.

Oil is all over the bottom of the strut, getting onto the tyre and thrown around the wheel arch,

Where should I go with that?

Post by **CitroJim** » 18 Apr 2010, 20:43

Tim,

I'll almost wager the strut leakage return pipe has perished and is leaking. Although it's a leakage return it is not supposed to leak

Look half way up the back of the strut and you'll see a rubber "foot" clipped onto the strut. Leading from the rubber "foot" is a rubber pipe that connects to a plastic pipe in the wheelarch.

If the "foot" is wet, that's your problem. Very common and easy to replace. GSF sell the new piece of pipe you will need.

Napoleon · Post by **Napoleon** » 18 Apr 2010, 21:10

I'll check that on the morrow, Jim, thanks.

Napoleon · Post by **Napoleon** » 19 Apr 2010, 18:55

ok, having realised that I cannot get my head into the wheel arch without taking the wheel off, I poked my camera inside the arch.

Here's the results: (what do you think? I need a few pointers on the possible cause of the leak.

Napoleon · Post by **Napoleon** » 19 Apr 2010, 18:56

Forgot this one...

Xantidote · Post by **Xantidote** » 20 Apr 2010, 00:13

Looks to me as though Jim's trouble-shooting was spot on - seems from photos that the rubber return pipe has partially split away from it's "rubber foot" which is attached to the strut leg with the stainless metal band.

Is it just a trick of the camera, or is the drop-link's mounting (welded to the strut, & close to the rubber foot) pulling away from the strut?

Napoleon · Post by **Napoleon** » 20 Apr 2010, 07:50

Let's assume it is that, Martin, or anyone else, how do I identify the correct part to get from GSF?

Remove the part and take it with me to the shop?
Is the best way to get access to jack the corner of the car up and remove the wheel?

I think I can see where you mean, Martin; just above the shiny steel band, on the right and about two cm upwards there's a very dark area which might be a split?

Xantidote · Post by **Xantidote** » 21 Apr 2010, 00:54

I couldn't find the pipe listed on GSF website just now, but CitroJim says they stock the item. Not sure if it comes with a new stainless strap - some forum members seem to be able to refit this type of clip . Give GSF a ring - I find my local Liverpool branch very helpful. Haynes refers to it as "front suspension strut fluid return pipe". You shouldn't need to take the old part with you

I've had to replace one in the past, but not sure if it was on current Xantia, or my previous BX. Think I just cut through the stainless band - seem to remember bit of a struggle getting new band to clip onto itself, if you see what I mean. Think I tried using pincers. Main issue for you at present is to get new pipe fitted, to keep LHM off the brakes - you could always temporarily clamp it on with a jubilee clip.

To access it, raise car to max height and remove road wheel in normal manner. For safety & peace of mind, I always place wooden blocks/axle stand to support car, either near the jacking point, or under the front sub-frame, in case the jack fails. Yes, look closely 1" (I'll accept 2 cm) above the strap at the slightly darker bit of tube in your (excellent) photos which is where I think the tube has split

Post by **CitroJim** » 21 Apr 2010, 06:15

Xantidote wrote:I couldn't find the pipe listed on GSF website just now, but CitroJim says they stock the item.

Here it is

453PC0590 RETURN PIPE XANTIA FRT STRUT RETURN PIPE 9.80

No, sadly, it does not come with anew stainless steel strap but with care the old one is re-usable; it's a fiddly job though. If not, then a couple of very stout Ty-Raps do the job quite nicely.