Anyway, when I picked up the car following the clutch job, the mechanic (who has owned various DSs and CXs in the past) mentioned that the front spheres were on their way out. I didn't pay too much attention - I know the Activa won't ride as well as he might expect. But the ride did feel a little choppy when I took the car home.
A couple of days later, I felt the front sink suddenly when driving. I assumed that this (and the poor ride) was probably due to the dog-bone being displaced during the clutch replacement, and took it back to the garage. They checked the dog-bone, and also that the height correction was working. I'd been unable to check the front, since it felt very firm and I didn't want to ruin the bonnet (there was a clue in that). The mechanic spoke to the local Citroen dealer, who said it was probably because the struts were worn... After a check of various posts on here, I'm sure that's not causing the issue.
So, the ride is often hard. I'm sure it's sticking in firm mode (the ride isn't ALWAYS hard). I'm sure the front dropping is when the front electrovalve actually opens after a long period of being stuck in firm mode - the drop happened near home yesterday, and after a slow drive back the front of the car felt as it should.
Sometimes the front will drop when I open a door, sometimes it will happen when the system is pressurising, sometimes it seems OK. Interestingly, I put the Lexia on last night, and the front dropped as soon as I selected the suspension ECU. Clearly something was cycled which triggered the front to drop (opening the doors hadn't done anything). I went for a drive with the Lexia attached, and the ECU is responding as expected. No funny sensor readings, no sign of the electrovalve being disconnected. The car had an e-crofting diode kit fitted about 5 years ago, so it's unlikely that faulty diodes are the cause (I can hear the buzz and click from the front valve). The Activa system works OK.
So, the ride can be fine, but the front is often staying firm when it should have switched back. What course of action should I take next? I tempted to Hydroflush- I've never used it in the 6 years I've had the car (but the LHM has always been kept fresh by various leaks!
). If it's not crud in the system somewhere, I guess the electrovalve and pressure regulator are the next suspects?Thanks,
James
