Xantia S2 Front Suspension Dropping

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Edhertz
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Xantia S2 Front Suspension Dropping

Post by Edhertz »

The front suspension started making a groaning noise a while ago as the car settled itself down after a run and when it was raised and lowered. I lifted the gaiters, lightly oiled the shafts and the noise went away. The car has always been a sinker, despite new anti sink spheres and I've got used to waiting till it rises. What’s happening now is that when I get in the car the front will drop dramatically, as if it’s been stuck in the normal running position while the back end has sunk down. Start up, suspension rises normally, off we go, come to a stop and it drops suddenly and rises again. This sometimes happens when moving off and when I turn off. Any ideas? Do I need to overhaul/replace front struts or is it a link problem? Car has just hit 200K and thanks in advance.
Alan
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Re: Xantia S2 Front Suspension Dropping

Post by ekjdm14 »

I would hazard a guess that there's gas bubbles in the system either nitrogen from a sphere or air drawn in somewhere. It could be linked to the antisink not working too. Try dropping it right down and back up to normal height a few times then take it for a run & see how she behaves.

If it's anything else, it'll be pointed out by those more in the know than I. (another pure guess would be sticky height correctors but citerobics is first port of call in any suspension behaviour issues IMO_)
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Re: Xantia S2 Front Suspension Dropping

Post by RichardW »

It's a hydractive - first suspect for rapid changes in the height has to be the hydractive valve - these develop internal leak over time which gives the symptoms you have. Fixing them as they are NFP...... :roll: CitroJim and Mandrake are your men for this!
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Re: Xantia S2 Front Suspension Dropping

Post by Mandrake »

Sounds like the classic diode failure on the front electrovalve! Front ones seem to fail more often than rear, probably due to heat. It's not usually the diode itself that fails - the soldered joint to the diode inside the brown moulded sleeve goes high resistance and intermittent (dry joint) but you can't get inside the sleeve to repair it. So the solution is to fit an outboard diode back at the ECU box end where it is most convenient.

Lots of posts on the forum about how to fix this. Search for Hydractive 2 diode mod. :)
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Re: Xantia S2 Front Suspension Dropping

Post by Edhertz »

Thanks for replies. Carried out citerobics a few times and once it stuck in the high position and dropped to the low position. This happened only the once otherwise movement has been smooth. Regarding the diode mod; I did this a couple of years ago and hear what you say and will check it out.
Alan
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Re: Xantia S2 Front Suspension Dropping

Post by Edhertz »

Any one any idea what the going rate is for a used front hydractive valve?
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Re: Xantia S2 Front Suspension Dropping

Post by xantia_v6 »

Yours probably has the later type hydractive regulator assembly, which are a bit harder to find, and wanted by people for upgrading earlier cars.
You probably only need the electrovalve and not the whole assembly, and the early and late ones are interchangeable.

Are you saying that the suspension drops all th way to the stops if left for a few hours or days?

You can do some diagnosis by disconnecting some return hoses and checking where the leak back is occurring, it is possible that it is one of the front struts leaking.
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Re: Xantia S2 Front Suspension Dropping

Post by white exec »

Check for air bubbles (even microscopic) in the LHM - dip a sample (after a drive) from the reservoir (small clear container) to check.
Bleed all four brake calipers (correct order for XM is RR, RL, FR, FL - but check for Xantia). Expect to draw off a good litre from the first one, and much less at the others. Keep reservoir topped.
If LHM has been in there for years, fill the system with Hydraurincage (5 litres is sufficient) and run on that for 3000 miles. It works well, and loosens up rams, valves etc. and tackles stickyness.
Check height regulator rods and links are free to move.
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Re: Xantia S2 Front Suspension Dropping

Post by falling-out-with-my-car »

Check the front strut return lines for damage/perishing.

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Re: Xantia S2 Front Suspension Dropping

Post by falling-out-with-my-car »

If engine is idling and steering on full lock the front suspension will rise aa

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Re: Xantia S2 Front Suspension Dropping

Post by falling-out-with-my-car »

And fall this even happens on my mk2 c5 sometimes

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Re: Xantia S2 Front Suspension Dropping

Post by Edhertz »

Thanks for replies so far. I'm back on the case after period of absence and can confirm that diode mod is ok and there is no bubbles in the LHM. Flushed the system with Hydraurincage only 3 years ago, perhaps I should do it again.
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Re: Xantia S2 Front Suspension Dropping

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

Citroen state that you only need to flush the hydro-pneumatics every third LHM change. As they also recommend you change the LHM every 50,000KM (36,000 miles) you would need to have travelled around 110,000 miles to hit that point.
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Re: Xantia S2 Front Suspension Dropping

Post by xantia_v6 »

Can you confirm whther your car has the early or late electrovalves? see: https://frenchcarforum.co.uk/wiki/Modif ... Regulation

With the early electrovalve, a leaking electrovalve tended to leak from the high pressure supply circuit. With the later type, I suppose that they would leak from the strut circuit (but I have not seen this described as a problem).
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Re: Xantia S2 Front Suspension Dropping

Post by Edhertz »

I've had a look and it is the later type. I would also like to add that it stays put in the raised position and sinks in the normal position.
Alan
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