"New" Xantia still hard and more...

ofirn · Post by **ofirn** » 08 Oct 2003, 22:36

Hi all,
This is my first mail on this forum. I had previous experience with CX 2.4 GTI [8D] (now garaged) and BX TRS. My wife drives the family Xantia - 1995 2.0 auto sx.(Sold here as 1996) As its a nicely preserved car (110,000km dark metallic green )I'm trying to reach perfection.[8)]
The car is still a bit "hard" after replacing the 4 "corner" spheres. Am I trying to reach BX comfort by mistake?[B)] Should I suspect another sphere ( front-center ?!) and why ?
Also, the speedo needle drops to zero on most trips.
The smelly odur from the heater is almost gone after replacing filter, using heat for an hour and spraying an anti bacteria stuff.
I did all the maintenance work on the BX myself and see no reason but to continue on the Xantia.
Did 1995 Xantia had a doors open/close gauge/indicator like the BX had? Mine doesn't and it bothers my wife as a safety measure. If so, I would appreciate the part number for this.
Still, best car I ever had including Japanese and American. <<

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » 08 Oct 2003, 23:46

Having had a BXTZD from new and a Xantia SX from new, I would say that the Xantia's ride is harsher than the BX. Certainly the BX was more comfortable - the seats more supportive.
If you did the maintenance work on the BX, there's no reason why you shouldn't do it on the Xantia.
The door indicator on the BX shows which door is open. The Xantia just tells you that a door or the bonnet is open.

Homer · Post by **Homer** » 09 Oct 2003, 01:09

I f you have replaced the 4 corner spheres then the only ones remaining are the accumulator and the antisink ones. The antisink shouldn't affect the ride nor should the accumulator.
Air in the system can affect it though but I suspect it is just the Xantia rides harder than you are used to.

ofirn · Post by **ofirn** » 09 Oct 2003, 15:30

Thanks guys. [:D]
Still, it seems the ride is harsher/sportier than a "normal" car on road. Strange for any Citroen. Could it be my 15" tires ?[:(!]
As for the open-door indicator, where is it? It seems that I don't have it or it's burned.[B)] Or do you mean the cabin light when you open a door?
Thanks again,[;)]

Homer · Post by **Homer** » 10 Oct 2003, 00:59

Open door indicator in in the main dash panel.
If you were not given the owners manual with the car then check behind the fuse panel (under the dash to the right of the steering wheel), it should be there.

KevMayer · Post by **KevMayer** » 10 Oct 2003, 03:30

I had my Xantia serviced by my local Citroen specialist, they gave me an M reg Xantia 2.0i SX for the day. It seemed a lot softer than my Xantia (a nice car to drive too). I told my local Citroen specialist that I thought the ride of my Xantia was firmer than their 2.0i. He said it could be that my ride height was too high. I went home, checked the height to the figures in my Haynes manual and sure enough it seemed 15 mm high at front and back. I lowered it and it now feels better. I can't work out how it would change because the hydraulic pressure would not change and the amount of pressurization of my spheres would be the same, It may be just psycological, but the ride did seem softer.
So, check your ride height. It may need lowering.
p.s. This Citroen specialist had previously changed all 6 spheres for me. I asked him to check the pressures at a service. He said they were all flat. I had them all changed. The car was 5 years old at the time. Haynes said have them checked at 5 years. I think my "specialist" saw me coming. Ripped off or what. What do you think ?

BonceChops · Post by **BonceChops** » 10 Oct 2003, 12:01

If they had been "all flat" you would have known about it without him telling you. They could have been iffy but I would be surprised if they were all totally flat. Maybe he did see you comming. Shortly before I got my Xantia the 4 suspension ones were changed and I have just changed the other 2 which I suspect were all but flat. With the suspension ones the ride is solid, I think, with no gas at all in the spheres.