Bubble Troubles

[jvwykes]

Folks

Struggling to fix the stiff steering on my Xantia. I know there must be air in the system, but can't find out how its getting in there. I have replaced the clips on reservoir and now its the driest i've ever known it. Bleed the brakes and did remove alot of air from the rear calipers.

When I exercise the suspension to high, no bubble visible, but drop it to low and its full of tiny ones. Set it back to normal height and they gradually disappear. If it kneel on the front bumper and look into the reservoir I can see a bubble burp as the accumulator does its thing and raises the height.

Been all over the underside and no leaks or weeping parts to be seen.

This has got me baffled.

Could the pump or accumulator be leaking internally?

[RichardW]

Have you lubricated the UJ at the bottom of the steering column? This is the usual cause of stiff steering on Xantias

[white exec]

Check the suction hose running from reservoir to pump. Remake connections if necessary, and use proper circular hose-clips (there are posts on here about that) rather than standard 'lumpy' thick jubilees.