2.1 TD Xantia on a budget

[RichardW]

Try eurocarcare.net - others have had success in getting them to make up pipes - including adaptor pieces for the std Xantia to C5 type cylinders fitted to some Xantias.

[Skull]

RichardW many thanks and another good website for custom pipework at a fair price.

Couldn't find any 4.5mm pipe on there yet though .... hope my local engineer can come to my rescue.

Certainly worth keeping an eye out for the special flaring tools/guides for the various Citroen specific sizes/flare styles...

[Skull]

http://www.automec.co.uk/ 01280 822 818

Jon from Automec (£19.85) sorted me out with a 4.5mm thick-walled copper tube made up to the dimensions I supplied from Citroen Service. Sent to me in a small coil which just needed routing and carefully bending by hand.

In this case it was a simple matter of refitting the bolt (lightly greased threads) and new seal into the safety valve end, not a lot of room to swing a 10mm spanner, rerouting the pipework as best from memory with the original mounts (loosely fitted initially until pipe ends fitted and secured) / clips and chaffing protection and then fitting the other end with a new seal into the accumulator.

Rerouted handbrake cable and refitted to brake caliper / road wheel back on and restarted engine. A quick check for leaks and all was well

Lowered and raised the suspension whilst the front was still on the ramps just to make sure there was clearance for my new pipework and then rolled her off ...

[Forgot to mention that whilst trying to get spanner access to the safety valve I had loosened off the LHM resevoir and in my haste forgot to reconnect the electrical leads,only noticed today on the Sunday Citrobics session and had to put a Litre of LHM back in the resevoir - just as well the pipe burst on my driveway]

Easy enough with some forum guidance and once I found someone that could supply me a custom made pipe -Thanks to all involved

[Skull]

Problems remaining:

Front brakes binding slightly.
Excessive misting of windows (likely heater matrix)

£399.13 Purchase (£330 delivered) and repair (osf brake pipe £47.34 (4886 70) (5 Ltr LHM £21.79)
£30.15 24Hrs Insurance (for MOT and retest)
£35 MOT fee
£3.54 bulb (ventilation panel / illumination) (611260)
£17.50 sphere tool (ebay)
£52.67 2 x rear suspension spheres (527234) (plus ltr of LHM always handy)
£31.91 1 x accumulator sphere (95 666 763)
£46.80 2 x front suspension spheres (95 666 857)
£24.11 1 x rear anti-sink sphere (529303)
£2.85 (.95p) 3 x 4.5mm seal for above (from GSFcarparts.com)
£19.85 (5270 Z4) (Custom made) NSF suspension pipe
£663.41 It's not easy to do these on the cheap
£1014.90 (Including + £126.49 for 9 months Insurance transfer + £225 for 12 Months Road Tax)

[Hell Razor5543]

Front brake binding might be down to the handbrake cables. If the slide sleeving is not properly lined up in the guide loops the cables flex too tightly (and possibly rub), so that the outer sleeve eventually fails, letting in moisture which means the core rusts and sticks. This means that even with the handbrake off the cable can still hold the lever at the calliper end on.

[Skull]

Yes Hell Razor5543 that was suggested before but even when I disconnected both cables which seemed to move freely, they were still hard to spin by hand - handbrake seems to release fine - drives OK but discs too hot to touch

Got 50 MPG on a legal motorway run so can't be dragging too much ...

[Skull]

UPDATE 92,606 miles (5,141)

This years MOT passed on retest after a couple of minor points (number plate bulb changed but the other one popped afterwards ) and 'evidence of fluid leak' near rear height corrector (cleaned and dried).

Only covered 5,141 miles between MOT tests and with the exception of the blown suspension pipe has been reliable despite the ride being improved with the spheres after last years MOT the ride still isn't 'magic'

£399.13 Purchase (£330 delivered) and repair (osf brake pipe £47.34 (4886 70) (5 Ltr LHM £21.79)
£30.15 24Hrs Insurance (for MOT and retest)
£35 MOT fee / £35 MOT (92,606 miles)
£3.54 bulb (ventilation panel / illumination) (611260)
£17.50 sphere tool (ebay)
£52.67 2 x rear suspension spheres (527234) (plus ltr of LHM always handy)
£31.91 1 x accumulator sphere (95 666 763)
£46.80 2 x front suspension spheres (95 666 857)
£24.11 1 x rear anti-sink sphere (529303)
£2.85 (.95p) 3 x 4.5mm seal for above (from GSFcarparts.com)
£19.85 (5270 Z4) (Custom made) NSF suspension pipe
£698.41 It's not easy to do these on the cheap
*£1,232.90 (Including + £126.49 for 9 months Insurance transfer + £180 renewal + £225 for 12 Months Road Tax)
*Not including fuel costs

[Skull]

I think it's about time I had a go at sorting the rear suspension ride height out, I've always thought it was a little higher than my estate so I went and done all the measurements today and even if it's not the most accurate measurement possible I am +31mm too high at the back just to bring it into the tolerance range, so I will try to lower it approx 40mm ....seen a thread somewhere on this .... just got to search the forum again .....

[foeism]

Excellent thread and updates.
Looking forward to collecting mine....exact same year, model, and engine as yours......I will know where to search and who to ask if anything goes wrong.

[Skull]

Foeism welcome to the forum....

Not sure I'm your ideal searching point but will help where possible,

if not there is certainly a lot of helpful advice on the thread from many wise Citroen enthusiasts

[Skull]

This looks a suitable thread for the ride height (although there are a few more involving stripping down/refurbishment)

I'm hoping mine just needs adjusting and will then provide a smoother ride and also reduce my overrated 70's hot rod look

Xantia ride height

I will try to add some before and after photos ... but please don't take the p**s out of her appearance ....she's sensitive you know

This is the before image idling with suspension set in the middle position to drive approximately 40mm too high



I'm sure you'll agree that she's in 'hot rod mode'

[Skull]

Followed the advice from CitroJim on the above link - still surprised how sensitive the clamp was to rotation. Pushed the bolt head up to reduce the ride height.

Cheers CitroJim



Much better - probably try a tinier tweek next time she's got her arse in the air

Initial drive I get the impression that the ride is slightly better .... still not magic though

[CitroJim]

Pleased to have been of assistance!

I'd say the rear ride height is still just a tad high.

How's the front ride height? That's even more critical to good ride comfort.

[Skull]

CitroJim I agree that she's still slightly high at the rear, according to my measurements the front was within tolerance prior to any adjustment.

I will get her back on the ramps and 'tweek' the rear slightly and then re-measure and post a full side on photo when I'm happy .......

[Skull]

92,864

Engine Oil & Filter change DIY - parts costs to be added.