Xantia front brake hose

[citroDane]

Hi everyone,

I have the had to take the front calipers off to have them reconditioned. Meanwhile I noticed one of the flexible front hoses is in need of replacement (rubber dried out and has started cracking). Now, I have a 99, 2.0 HDI, 90hp with a regular / passive suspension. Albeit, I have the possibility to buy a QUINTON HAZELL front brake hose for CITROEN XANTIA ACTIVA 1998 to 10/2001 -that is on sale. This hose is the 402 mm long whereas my local parts dealer says my car needs a 385 mm long one for passive suspension. But the length is the only difference he is mentioning. I haven't yet managed to get mine off due to rust (now soaked in lubricant to help deblock) but sitting all twisty on the car it measures pretty close to 400mm.

My questions are a) it should not a be problem to go for an Activa brake hose for a Xantia with passive suspension. My thinking is, if anything the Activa hose ought to be more "robust" and b) can anyone confirm that a ca 15mm excess in length isn't a big problem (I suppose it would be if it were 15mm shorter than spec)? Incidentally I see the previous owner has replaced the other one with one that is definitely not a Xantia hose and looks some 50-60mm longer and I've been driving the car without brake problems for several years.

Thanks a lot in advance,
Gabriel

[CitroJim]

I'm under the impression that all Xantias use exactly the same hose. I've never been aware of a difference...

Knowing how the hose routes and how far it moves in service (not far due to its routing) then a 15mm difference should be inconsequential...

The main thing to ensure is that whatever is offered is in fact a proper Xantia hose and is suitable for use with LHM. The hose should state this is the case.

[RichardW]

Looks like there are 2 lengths - longer ones for the cars with the biggest front brakes (eg V6, 2.0T, 2.1TD, 2.0HDi 110) - 370 vs 355mm. Can't see the longer ones being a problem on the smaller cars - as long as the end fittings are the same!

[CitroJim]

That's a bit more learning for me Richard Excellent!

[Old-Guy]

I had exactly the same conundrum a few weeks ago. GSF offered me two different lengths (15mm difference) that their parts system shows for the Green Lady. No explanation as to why two lengths. Opted for the longer ones on the grounds that 15 or 17mm extra length wasn't going to hurt but a faction too short might just give problems. No problems fitting (4th time I've done the job) - a run-through before posting the wiki page.

[lexi]

Normally the only problem with longer hoses is that the bend of the hose may rub on something hard or moving.
Putting a gentle twirl in the hose as you fix it, can usually direct it to safety.

[CitroJim]

Gosh, I'm wondering now how often I've put the 'short' hose on cars that strictly need the 'long' hose..

[Old-Guy]

... - as long as the end fittings are the same!

They are. The hoses are absolutely identical, apart from that small difference in length.

[citroDane]

I'm under the impression that all Xantias use exactly the same hose. I've never been aware of a difference...

Knowing how the hose routes and how far it moves in service (not far due to its routing) then a 15mm difference should be inconsequential...

The main thing to ensure is that whatever is offered is in fact a proper Xantia hose and is suitable for use with LHM. The hose should state this is the case.

Thanks Jim. On the box there's nothing specific about LHM. But it's my strong hope that anyone who produces hydraulics hoses for a Xantia -in this case QUINTON HAZELL- is aware that it's the only hydraulic fluid on a Xantia. Though admittedly I'm not too happy that it doesn't explicitly state that it's made for use with LHM.

[Stickyfinger]

I thought they had to have colour banding on them ?

[citroDane]

Normally the only problem with longer hoses is that the bend of the hose may rub on something hard or moving.
Putting a gentle twirl in the hose as you fix it, can usually direct it to safety.

Thanks Lexi. As mentioned I in my post, on the passenger side the previous owner has fitted one that is some 50+mm longer and somehow it has not rubbed against anything, it seems. It does have a bend/twirl at the top of the segment that goes from the fixing bracket on the strut to the rigid pipe's flare nut.

[MikeT]

I have two unused new hoses I recently bought for my xantia, from different sellers. One has a green band (which I'm told indicates it's LHM compatible) while the other has a white band yet both were sold as Xantia suitable.

[citroDane]

I thought they had to have colour banding on them ?

Interesting; the hose itself does have a green plastic ring on the caliper end. That for LHM then?

[citroDane]

I have two unused new hoses I recently bought for my xantia, from different sellers. One has a green band (which I'm told indicates it's LHM compatible) while the other has a white band yet both were sold as Xantia suitable.

Hi Mike, yes it is confusing. The shorter one that my local parts dealer says fits mine (385mm) doesn't have any ring, but the QH part on sale for the Activa does have green one!

[citroDane]

... - as long as the end fittings are the same!

They are. The hoses are absolutely identical, apart from that small difference in length.

Thanks. Mine seems to have an 11mm flare nut connecting the flex hose to the rigid pipe. So do I understand you right, that all Xatinas -passive or active suspension alike- have hoses with identical end fittings?