Hard/Soft mode & diode mod / Poor low speed ride

[Zelandeth]

Here's my rookie question of the day, that I've not been able.to find a definite answer to...

Does the talk of the diode mod etc only apply to Activas?

My Xantia seems to do fine at absorbing big bumps, but smaller sharp bumps seem to do far better than I would expect at getting past the suspension. Have been using the Skoda a lot the last few weeks and note one bump near our house that causes a distinct crash in the Xantia but nothing but a distant thump in the Skud...that doesn't seem right.

It does need an LHM change which won't be helping...but wondering what the cause may be.

On the motorway she floats Long lovely, just the low speed ride seems quite crashy.

Front spheres are good used items, but rears are unknown...planning to get a full comfort set as soon as finances allow. Bounce test at both ends yields the sort of result I would expect though.

Thoughts?

[Peter.N.]

Unfortunately this is a characteristic of hydropnumatic suspension, I have been running them since the days of the CX. The tyres have a lot to do with it, some give a softer ride than others. Lowering the tyre pressure by a few pounds will also improve the ride.

Peter

[xantia_v6]

With the hydropnuematic suspension you tend to hear bumps rather than feel them, but any loose suspension joints or worn bushes can make it sound worse.
The diode mod is only applicable to the Hydroactive 2 system (7 or 8 spheres) and the Activa system (10 spheres).

[Zelandeth]

Thanks for that, at least I now know where I stand!

Will get a fresh set of comfort spheres and new LHM in there soon then see where we stand. The low speed ride definitely isn't what it should be. Oddly always seems much better for the first few miles of the day, makes me wonder if it is overly aerating the LHM or something like that.

[Peter.N.]

The only time I got a really good low speed ride was when I experimented using accumulator spheres on the suspension, I only did it on one side but the ride was unbelievable - don't think it would corner very well though.

Peter