Xantia Suspension Trouble...

[tommy309]

Hi guys, im new to the forum but its very helpful, Ive worked for Citroen in the past and I have the diagnostic software so i can hopefulyl be of some use in the future.

Anyway my problem is, a local mechanic has a xantia in to get fixed, the suspension had collapsed, and the owner had tied to put engine oil in the LHM tank, so the mechanic changed the fluid and replaced the HP pump, and he has also replaced the accumulator sphere, however it still will not rise up, the steering however does seem to be power assisted. The guy doesnt know much about citroens and has been messing about with it, he has been at the 12mm bleed screw that your only meant to loosen one turn and i think has had it out completely and lost the ball bearing, so my question is basically,

1, whats meant to be behind that 12mm screw is it a spring and a ball bearing?
2, if its missing will it stop the suspension from pressurising

the car isnt making the click that the suspension usually makes from the accumulator would i be right to think thats because the ball uis gone and so theres nothing to click.

I have already tried pouring lhm down the intake pipe for the HP pump and thats all ok.
Thanks for any help guys.
Thomas

[Xaccers]

Does indeed sound like the bearing is missing from behind the 12mm screw.
Without it, as you've already guessed, the pressure will not build up and the car will not rise.

[citroenxm]

On Xantias from late 1994, the PAS was driven DIRECTLY from the pump, the give away is the 3 pipes on it.. This is why the PAS still works, but suspension doesn't..

Spring and ball, thats all....

Paul

[tommy309]

Guys, thanks for your help, Ive it working now, Im only reading what you have said afterwards lol, but anyway it turns out he had taken it right out as I expected and lost the ball bearing, found it and put it back in and now all seems well. however i didnt see a spring in there, the end of the 12mm bolt has a detent in it which would have led me to believe the bearing just sat against it without a spring?

Anyway its working so not to worry. I wouldnt normally have got involvoed with this job that someone else had made a mess off but its a guy who rings me all the time beause he thinks im a citroen expert lol i know a bit about them but not so hot on the oklder hydraulic xantias and xms lol

Thanks Boys

[Xaccers]

I'd make sure the brakes are bled just in case the garage missed that

[tommy309]

Yeah i did quickly check them and they seem firm, or as firm as xantia brakes ever are at least thanks alot lads

[addo]

AFAIK the regulator ball doesn't usually have a spring against it - just the cupped bolt end mentioned.

I can't imagine motor oil would have really done much damage to the system - it is recommended as an emergency top-up and is easier to "blend" out in successive flushes than DOT4!

[Xaccers]

Yeah i did quickly check them and they seem firm, or as firm as Xantia brakes ever are at least thanks alot lads

Firmness has nothing to do with it, the brake lines are dead ends so the only way to clear then with fresh LHM is to bleed several hundred ml from them.