Xantia - jerky front suspension

[Old-Guy]

When doing Citarobics, the front suspension goes up and down in a series jerks, so I'm going to remove the front height corrector and free up the mechanical mechanism; strangely the rear HC seems fine - perhaps because it's much easier to periodically wash off and liberally dose with white grease?
Generally I'm a believer in "If it ain't broke don't fix it, but as removing the front HC is a bit of a pig (?) and means replacing the pipe seals (standard 3.5mm ones?) should I strip and clean the HC valve at the same time?

The car has still only done 108k and the LHM is nice and clean as are the reservoir filters, though as it's starting to get a slight yellow tinge, I'll do a complete change at the same time.

[CitroJim]

Guy, rather than disturb the height corrector itself, just give it a good lube and whilst you're at it, pull the gaiters down on the front struts and lubricate those. Them being dry is the most likely cause of the jerkiness.

The front struts are the only part of the hydraulics that don't have a bit of deliberate leakage to keep them lubricated. Either use LHM or a smear of very light oil or grease.

[mirafioriman]

Great tip for the front struts, I have noticed that mine don't leak

[Old-Guy]

Thanks for the suggestion Jim. When I change the oil every six months or so, I've been in the habit of giving the height correctors a generous dose of white grease (when the rear one has looked more grit than grease I've washed it off with brake cleaner) and I've given the front struts a squirt too (just above the seals). Maybe my problem is that (Wynn's) white grease is far too viscous? It seemed like a good idea at the time on the basis of it's claimed protective properties and that it contains PTFE.

I'll clean the struts with LHM and see if that fixes the problem. I'm slightly sceptical, but I'll be only too pleased if I haven't got to strip the HC.

[CitroSwede]

pull the gaiters down on the front struts and lubricate those. Them being dry is the most likely cause of the jerkiness.

I have tried to grease the height correctors as good as i can, but my car is also jerky when it's raising the front end.
So i guess i must lube some more..
A stupid question maybe... but could someone please describe "gaiters" with another word?
Is that the "rubber things" that protects from dirt and water?
I wish my English were better...
I did a google image search for that, but the only result were... shoes?!

[CitroJim]

Is that the "rubber things" that protects from dirt and water?

Yes, they're the ones!!!

They might also be called the same as the rubber boots on drive-shaft joints so Google suggesting shoes was close!!!

Gaiter is a word that describes a kind of sock. Another word that describes them is 'concertina' after the folds in the bellows of the musical instrument...

Your English is very good Much better than my Swedish!!!!

[addo]

Joints-soufflets sounds much nicer. Almost edible, too.

[myglaren]

"bälgen" robin

[CitroSwede]

Thanks for the translations guys! And sorry for highjacking the thread.

- "Myglaren"
"Bälgen"! Yes, that's the name for it!

[Old-Guy]

It looks as though Jim was right: when I raised the suspension to HIgh the other evening (so I could see why the trailer socket wouldn't flip down), the front rose and sank with no jerkiness at all - presumably the unseasonal warmth had made the grease a lot less viscous.

I'll clean the grease off the front struts and lubricate with LHM. Then I'll try the suspension one chilly morning and see what happens.

[steelcityuk]

I just use bog standard spray grease on my XMs HCs and linkages.

Steve.