Hard ride

[cornishflyer]

Hi guys,

Have a Citroen Xantia SX i 16v with the usual troubles associated with this car. The year of the car is 2000 many issues which I hope to discuss, main issue is suspension. I have now successfully had the suspension done, it turned out that the accumlator had seized solid making for a hard ride. It was done on a shoestring budget, with out the rip off prices some garages are charging these days. As we know Citroen Xantia's are getting rare on our roads to day, how many do you see not many I think. Most have gone to that scrap yard in the sky, for the very reason I've just mentioned. I intend to keep for the forseeable future, but looking at estate version but not hoping much. I have annoying problem with water getting into the back seat, may be a poor seal around the rear wiper, what do you think?

[andmcit]

Well welcome, get stuck in and don't be afraid to ask questions
- have a good look around and try some research through the top
right "search" button too! Is your Xant a 1.8 or 2.0 16v?

[cornishflyer]

Hi
Thanks for responded, its a later model 2.0lr 16v. Have an issue with the rear spheres back left is fine back right is fine had them checked. The issue I'm told is the middle back sphere, (has more spheres than enough) which is a devil to get at, so I'm told. How do I get this resolved. Another issue is the power steering pump which is leaking, is this pump out job or simply replace the seals.

Thanks for your help

[andmcit]

Sounds like you've found the cause of the hard ride as the middle sphere is a key part of what gives the car a soft ride.
The middle sphere isn't horrific to DIY renew though you need to have the car safety supported on ramps and a decent
removal tool and depressurise the system before undoing it. If that all sounds like hassle getting a specialist to change
it could be money well spent as it shouldn't take a Cit independent garage long to do. There are write ups covering this in
the forum 'stickies' section written by Citrojim if you do a search. http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... 22&t=24595" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Access isn't difficult but improved significantly when the spare wheel and cradle are removed. Gives you a chance to
check your spare and anti rust / paint protect your spare wheel holder too.

The rack is a more challenging fix to DIY. Have you cleaned it and checked exactly where it's leaking as it could be the
feed pipes, their connections or the pinion itself that can be separated off the rack. DIY rack swap is ok if a bit time
consuming but well worth getting done on your car as a 2.0 16v VSX / Exclusive is a Hell of a car!

[cornishflyer]

Hi

Thanks for getting back to me, I will take your comments on board and put them into action. One thing thou have checked the steering rack thats fine the leak is coming from what is believed knackered seals on the pump itself, as you look into the engine bay, looking straight at you, may be pump out and reconditioned one put in, any suggestions on that? Not sure whether my car is VSX, but is a 2lr, not sure what the difference is between SX and VSX, I believe VSX has more spheres which means more headaches, and lot more to go wrong with it.

[Mandrake]

The main differences between SX and VSX are:

SX - Hydropnuematic suspension, (6 spheres in total) manual seats, aircon optional
VSX - Hydractive 2 suspension, (8 spheres in total, sport/normal switch in front of the suspension height lever) electric seats, aircon as standard

There are other differences too but they vary from market to market...

To tell which you have check the diameter of the hydraulic pipes connecting to the front suspension strut tops - if its SX they will be 3.5mm diameter steel pipes with small unions, if VSX they will be 10mm diameter steel pipes joined to a length of larger diameter flexible hose bolted to the front inner wings...

[Xaccers]

VSX has 8 spheres and large pipes going to the front struts. The corner spheres are hard, a sphere at the front and back provides the soft ride and gets excluded from the suspension when throwing the car around which stiffens the suspension. The switching between soft and hard mode is done by electrovalves, normally the diodes which let them work fail over the years, there's a box on ebay from ecrofting which can be fitted easily to by pass the faulty diodes and get it all working.

SX (and LX) have 6 spheres, the corner ones are soft though not as soft as the VSX in soft mode, and small pipes to the front suspension struts.

Both have front and rear accumulators (unless it's an early sinker which lacks the rear accumulator), the rear accumulator is also known as the anti-sink sphere as it is needed on cars fitted with anti-sink valves. It is screwed into the cross member up behind the spare wheel cradle.
Set the car on high, put axle stands under the rear jacking points, then set the car on low and de-pressurise. You should now have plenty of room to safely work under the back of the car.
The LHM pipe for the sphere screws directly into the back of it so the best trick I've found is to hang a 9mm flare spanner on the pipe nut, and screw the sphere out of it's socket so it also screws off the nut without twisting the pipe and breaking it.
The pipe has a 3.5mm seal on the end which you can often carefully rescue from the old sphere, otherwise replacement ones could be got from GSF.
To re-fit, put the seal on the end of the pipe but not over the flare, screw the nut into the pipe one or two turns, and then the sphere into it's socket one or two turns (enough to just hold it in place), then hang the flare spanner on again and screw the sphere home. Use pliers or a 9mm open spanner to nip the pipe nut home. Job done.

[andmcit]

Can't believe I missed the SX reference on thr first post as I got thrown by the
extra sphere reference at the back. That must be the anti sink / accumulator
which won't really alter the soft rude!

One other thing, it seems the steering rack is ok and your concern is the pump
on the front of the engine leaking - that's the global hydraulic system pump and any
issues will cause additional problems. Is it leaking from a particular part on the pump
as cheap seals can be replaced and if it's what I think is leaking, could save your
alternator being goosed!

[cornishflyer]

Hi Guys

Thanks for your comments the one regarding the VSX and SX was very interesting I now know that mine is not a VSX, thanks for confirming that. The comments regarding the power steering were very interesting, and yes it cooked my alternator. Replacing the alternator is another story for another time. The continued leak is a source of concern, as a make shift to stop the leak getting to the alternator I have put some re-enforced padding to stop this. I now this is only short term but its my way of trying to keep the old girl on the road. It does confirm that anti/sink accumulator is packing up, and thanks for the tips guys, regarding how to replace it, again I'm told it could be easy or very hard. Getting tired of my teeth rattling every time I go over a bump. But as you guys now fixing a Citroen Xantia they say is required reading best left to experts.

Once again guys thanks for your help.

[Timmo]

where abouts are you fella??
going by user name, are you in our fine county???
i know of a guy whos Very good on hydr cits who's centralish

[cornishflyer]

Hi Timmo
Yes I'm Cornish, but left Cornwall many years ago to see the world and a bit more. But I do come down occassionaly to visit relatives, who live in South East Cornwall. When I do come down I will give you more details. But before that happens the sphere giving all the trouble at the moment would have given up the ghost. Its on its last legs and may last a while longer, not sure how long. I am based in the West Midlands at the moment, so not able to pop down when I like. Mot due in Feburay so have a little time to sort it out, but other issues are rearing there ugly heads at the moment. Regards

[cornishflyer]

Hi Guys
Have a problem with the middle rear sphere on my Xantia sx, causing all sorts of problems. What I need to know is how I can rectify this very annoying problem, 2 months left on the clock and running out of ideas. Any body out there that can help me without breaking the bank, would be very welcome

Thanks guys

[Xaccers]

Hi Guys
Have a problem with the middle rear sphere on my Xantia sx, causing all sorts of problems. What I need to know is how I can rectify this very annoying problem, 2 months left on the clock and running out of ideas. Any body out there that can help me without breaking the bank, would be very welcome

Thanks guys

What's the problem you're having with the rear accumulator (AKA anti sink sphere)?
Ignore what Andmcit's comments regard it affecting the ride quality, he was thinking it was the hydractive sphere on a VSX.

Have you tracked down where your pump is leaking from and replaced the seals?

[cornishflyer]

Hi thanks for your response.

The rear accumulator has decided to give up the ghost I have had some one look at it and confirms my suspicions. But not able to cure the problem it seems the diameter of the sphere is different to the rest of the spheres why? Have ask around and nobody has the right size sphere, and its not a sphere readly available from citroen unless you want to rob a bank of course, but what other choice do I have. Any suggestions. The pump seals are special to this make of car, so still haven't fixed this problem either. May have to bite the bullet and get citroen to fix.

[Mandrake]

The anti-sink sphere has a small hole with a pipe union, the main outer thread is the same as normal spheres but is only used for screwing into the bracket, it doesn't provide any sealing of high pressure, so no o-ring is fitted.

Don't bother with Citroen for spheres, the anti-sink sphere is readily available from GSF and aepdirect for around the £20 mark...

http://www.gsfcarparts.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.aepdirect.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The same anti-sink sphere is used in all Xantia's from 1994 onwards.