dog bone holding pins ( xantia )

[Raul]

Hello


The plastic link of the front height corrector keeps popping of. I have changed the cradle for better one , renewed the dog bone and it was good for about 3 months but yesterday it popped off again. Very annoying problem. I do not have the original holding pins of the dog bone. Is it possible that the lack of those holding pins could cause this problem or is it time to get a new cradle.


Raul

[CitroJim]

No, generally that's not the problem.

Often it's corrosion on the balls them selves that cause it. Corrosion reduces the ball size a little and makes the dog-bone a slightly looser fit.

Also, if you're not really careful fitting the new dog bone it's possible to start a little stress fracture in it that grows over time and makes gradually weaker and looser until it pops off...

[chinkostu]

No, generally that's not the problem.

Often it's corrosion on the balls them selves that cause it. Corrosion reduces the ball size a little and makes the dog-bone a slightly looser fit.

Also, if you're not really careful fitting the new dog bone it's possible to start a little stress fracture in it that grows over time and makes gradually weaker and looser until it pops off...

Any way of preventing this? I've got to replace the rear one on mine as it would appear the previous owner decided to cable tie it! I have a new one already but any tips will help as I don't fancy waiting 2 weeks for another in the post!

[CitroJim]

A tiny smear of grease will do the trick but when I say tiny I really mean tiny...

[Xantidote]

A tiny smear of grease will do the trick but when I say tiny I really mean tiny...

Oooops?? I wonder why

I had the rusty ball problem several years ago on the rear unit, and applied a lot of grease to the new ball & the new dog bone socket, to ensure it never had any chance of rusting ever again. I've also smeared a bit more grease and oil on it on subsequent visits under the car. Despite the generous greasing, no problems up to now

[CitroJim]

Too much grease on the ball itself can cause a hydraulic lock in the ball cup and cause it to split Martin!

Like you I always keep plenty of grease on the external surfaces and that certainly does help keep the wet out...

Once I was a bit too zealous and got an MOT fail for it; the tester thought all the grease was a hydraulic leak!

A quick clean-up and an an explanation resulted in a pass....

[Xantidote]

Too much grease on the ball itself can cause a hydraulic lock in the ball cup and cause it to split

Ah right, understood. Thanks Jim

[CitroenCrazy]

Just a quick one - if the underlying problem is the ball has rusted and hence shrunk in diameter, it is possible to just replace the ball itself.
Citparts sell one - https://www.citparts.at/en/products.php?id_group=144
I've fixed one of my cars this way.

[CitroJim]

Just a quick one - if the underlying problem is the ball has rusted and hence shrunk in diameter, it is possible to just replace the ball itself.
Citparts sell one - https://www.citparts.at/en/products.php?id_group=144
I've fixed one of my cars this way.

Good find!!!

That'll do the height corrector end a treat and also fix a common problem where the old ball, which is riveted in, works loose and then comes off..

It won't help with the ball on the anti roll bar end directly but it can be used with a bit of skilled welding...

[Raul]

Just a quick one - if the underlying problem is the ball has rusted and hence shrunk in diameter, it is possible to just replace the ball itself.
Citparts sell one - https://www.citparts.at/en/products.php?id_group=144
I've fixed one of my cars this way.

I ordered a complete new front height corrector ( 350 eur). The dog bone of the back is currently cable tied so I am going to buy this fix. Thanks for the information.