Xantia ride height

davewithington · Unread post by **davewithington** » 31 Mar 2010, 15:06

My VSX looks a bit low at the back (I'll check it properly when the snow stops), how do I alter the ride height if it's low?

Haynes manual recommends taking it to a dealers, don't want to do that.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 31 Mar 2010, 15:26

Nah, that would be silly Dave..

Now, the job can only be done properly up on a ramp or over a pit. DON'T try to do it without adequate support against crushing. It is just possible to do it with normal car ramps but it's a bit hit and miss.

With the car up on a ramp or over a pit and engine running, allow the suspension to settle.

Venture under with an 11mm socket on a long extension.

Identify the white dog-bone link to the height corrector and follow it back to the Anti Roll Bar. There you'll see a clamp around it with an extension connecting to the dog-bone.

Slacken the 11mm bolt in the clamp. Caution. It will be tight/corroded so douse well with Plus-gas first and go easy on it. You don't want to shear it. Rotate the clamp slightly to alter the ride height. I think if you rotate the clamp toward the rear of the car it'll increase the height.

It only takes a small adjustment to make a big change in height ad wait between adjustments as the suspension re-settles. Remember a height change can take upwards of 20s to happen; it's not instant.

Before attempting any adjustment, do ensure the height corrector mechanism is in good nick, operates freely and is well lubricated. Stiffness in the mechanism can cause incorrect ride heights.

Here's a picture to help visualise...

Showing both height correctors front and rear. You can see the clamp you need to adjust, item 4.

davewithington · Unread post by **davewithington** » 01 Apr 2010, 10:57

I doused both front and rear height correctors last week when the car was up on the lift while I changed the front centre sphere - no problem at all with my big chisel and a lump hammer - so I think before making any changes, I'll have the correctors off, front and rear, and make sure they are working corrctly. The front is a bit notchy, but both rise much better with new spheres on, in fact the whole car feels suitably boaty now.

See how we go

vince · Unread post by **vince** » 02 Apr 2010, 05:44

Jim is it advisable to adjust (lower) the front ride height? Mine does seem a tad higher than what the showroom brochure shows. Just thinking of it bottoming out with the weight of the engine etc.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 02 Apr 2010, 09:03

Set it correctly Vince and ride may improve if it's too high.

The correct height is three fingers between wheel and wheelarch

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 02 Apr 2010, 09:20

That sounds a bit approximate! I agonised over mine, to the sixteenth.

Isn't Citroën ride height (empirically) worked backwards from when the driveshafts are dead horizontal, then rears tweaked so the sill underside flange is also level?

citronut · Unread post by **citronut** » 02 Apr 2010, 11:41

Jim wrote
"The correct height is three fingers between wheel and wheelarch"

are we talking fat or skinny fingers here Jim
or maybe DS fingers (Malcolm's)

there are actual mesurements from points on the underside of the sub frame's to level ground,

but as Jim says FIRSTLY MAKE ABSOLUTLY SURE YOUR H/C mechanisum's/turrets are completly free to move as intended

regards malcolm

Unread post by **Dommo** » 08 Aug 2010, 19:13

CitroJim wrote:Nah, that would be silly Dave..

Now, the job can only be done properly up on a ramp or over a pit. DON'T try to do it without adequate support against crushing. It is just possible to do it with normal car ramps but it's a bit hit and miss.

With the car up on a ramp or over a pit and engine running, allow the suspension to settle.

Venture under with an 11mm socket on a long extension.

Identify the white dog-bone link to the height corrector and follow it back to the Anti Roll Bar. There you'll see a clamp around it with an extension connecting to the dog-bone.

Slacken the 11mm bolt in the clamp. Caution. It will be tight/corroded so douse well with Plus-gas first and go easy on it. You don't want to shear it. Rotate the clamp slightly to alter the ride height. I think if you rotate the clamp toward the rear of the car it'll increase the height.

It only takes a small adjustment to make a big change in height ad wait between adjustments as the suspension re-settles. Remember a height change can take upwards of 20s to happen; it's not instant.

Before attempting any adjustment, do ensure the height corrector mechanism is in good nick, operates freely and is well lubricated. Stiffness in the mechanism can cause incorrect ride heights.

Here's a picture to help visualise...

Showing both height correctors front and rear. You can see the clamp you need to adjust, item 4.

Sorry to drag up an old topic!

Jim - Is this the same procedure with an Activa or is the anti roll bar in a different place??

Thanks.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 08 Aug 2010, 19:27

Dommo wrote: Jim - Is this the same procedure with an Activa or is the anti roll bar in a different place??

Yes, absolutely identical Dommo, except of course the Activa ARB proper is in a different place. The HC is operated by a second slender "ARB" that's there just for the purpose of operating the HC.

Unread post by **Dommo** » 09 Aug 2010, 00:00

Wonderful.. I'll give this a bash next weekend I think, hoping that a slight increase in rear ride height will improve the comfort, and reduce the problem of the potentially saggy nearside rear.

I don't have access to ramps or a set of lifts though which could be an issue. Is it possible to remove the spare wheel cage and work under the rear of the car that way, with some axle stands in place in case it decides to flop, or does that sound like a bad idea?

Cheers Jim.

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 09 Aug 2010, 00:19

I can't honestly see that working. Not enough room when the car has to be at normal height with the motor running!

Unread post by **Dommo** » 09 Aug 2010, 00:25

I see your point, I'll have a look tomorrow after a drive (so it's at proper height) and see how much room there is..

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 09 Aug 2010, 03:52

Dom, no axle stands won't do for this. You MUST use ramps or a pit to get enough height to ensure you stand no risk of injury should it come crashing down.

Please be bloody careful here Dom. The risks when playing with height correctors is very significant.

Unread post by **Dommo** » 09 Aug 2010, 23:29

Thanks for the advice Jim. I borrowed some ramps from my mate based on what you said, they're a bit ropey though!

You'll be glad to know I had a bash at this earlier with those ramps. Now the level of the sill is pretty similar in service high and in normal ride height, both being nearly in the middle using a spirit level.

So tomorrows run in it to work will let me decide whether it's any more comfy.

Thanks, Dom.

XantiaDaveEire · Unread post by **XantiaDaveEire** » 09 Aug 2010, 23:37

Its easy enough to do when you get the hang of it

And not keep roatating it the wrong way like me ,lowering it and wondering why she wouldnt rise