Xantia Magic Carpet Suspension

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shugster
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Xantia Magic Carpet Suspension

Post by shugster »

Recently I have replaced the 4 main suspension spheres on my N Reg Xantia 1.9TD VSX.
However, the suspension is still not the 'floating experience' I was expecting. Actually I've never found the ride to be as nice as my previous Xantia, which was not a VSX model. The dealer I bought this particular car from has argued that the VSX model was never designed to be of the same ride comfort as it was more sporty. So why the switch to jump between ride settings?
Do I need to change ALL spheres in order to achieve this? Can I achieve this with this particular model?
Also, quite often when sitting stationary, say at traffic lights, the nose of the car often raises then lowers several times.
Any ideas?
alexx
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Post by alexx »

On hydractive suspension, middle spheres are responsible for 'floating', while corner spheres take only short and sharp bumps.
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AndersDK
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Post by AndersDK »

Agree with Alexx -
The unstable front height is likely to be a problem with the HC linkage - or the HC itself - nothing to do with the HA computerised suspension.
You have tried Citaerobics ?
Your Xantia HA2 type suspension should in fact give you a Magic Carpet Suspension.
The sportive suspension is the Activa type suspension - a totally different system aimed against corner leaning.
alexx
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Post by alexx »

Well, it's not totally different, it's the same HA2 suspension, with active roll-bars fitted.
IAN.D
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Post by IAN.D »

There is a few possible things it could be,
It may be that the middle spheres are flat (they give the soft ride)
Valve that adjusts the settings may be sticking on firm setting (outer spheres)
You can check if valve sticking by doing bounce test with engine running, the car should bounce up and down easy.
Next switch engine off,after approx 30 secs you should hear a click (this is the valve switching over to the firm setting which it does at rest)
If you then bounce car you should find it hard to push up and down.
Try this on both ends, if valve is sticking it will feel the same engine running and not running.
You will proberbly find one end will work if other does not (not common for both to stick at same time)
If you would like to have normal suspension like on non HA2 you can disconect electrical conection on middle sphere (or remove HA fuse)and replace outer spheres with standard ones.
Hope this is of some help.
shugster
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Post by shugster »

Thanks to all for your Help & Advice, greatly appreciated. [:)]
ActivaV6uk
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My Cars: C5 X7 2.7 hdi

Past cars
Activa, silver MK1 (221bhp stock) stripped out with twin sparcos Evo seats. 95
Activa, light met red MK1 98
Activa, dark met red MK1 98
Activa, dark met blue MK1 (202bhp stock) 96
Xantia exclusive V6 auto 3l 98
Xantia 2l 8v auto
BX 4x4 GTi dark met silver
BX 4x4 GTi white
BX GTi 16v white fibre bumpers
BX GTi 16v black fibre bumpers
BX GTi 16v hurricane (doa)
BX DTR estate

Post by ActivaV6uk »

Alex i'm impressed some one who actualy knows something about the activa and VSX suspension systems, your right the Activa is the HA2 with extra sruts mounted to push and pull the car level when cornering.
You should have an email sent to you...
Shugster hopefully this is fixed for you now, but if you replace the 2 center shperes it will give you the same ride effect as the original BX type suspension.
Andy
philhoward

Post by philhoward »

My HA2 didn't switch over when I got the car, but it does since i've had the new spheres! Little unnerving as it happens when I switch the ignition on as well!
As for the rising...do you sit there with your foot on the brake? My old Xantia (non-HA2) did that a couple of times,,don't know if that's right or not...
alexx
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Post by alexx »

Andy,
didn't get your mail. Tested the icon 'Email Poster', sending mail to myself and - nothing. But my address in the profile is correct. Don't know ...
bojan
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Post by bojan »

alexx,
must confirm that mail to your address was returned to me as undelivered.
I was intriqued by the idea that such an expert is just round the corner(me also being from Slovenia).
Bojan
alexx
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Post by alexx »

Cheers Bojan,
So, I presume that server, where my 'public' mailbox resides, rejects mails from 'blacklisted' servers, to protect against spam. These blacklists are maintained on several sites around the world. I'll open another account somewhere else.
shugster
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Post by shugster »

The rising and dropping of the front suspension happens 'without' me having my foot on the brake. I've tried the old 'up / down lever 5 times while stationary fix' but to no avail. It's actually quite funny when it does happen as you notice other drivers looking at you with a perplexed look on their faces. [:D]
ActivaV6uk
Posts: 650
Joined: 20 Nov 2003, 16:51
Location: United Kingdom
My Cars: C5 X7 2.7 hdi

Past cars
Activa, silver MK1 (221bhp stock) stripped out with twin sparcos Evo seats. 95
Activa, light met red MK1 98
Activa, dark met red MK1 98
Activa, dark met blue MK1 (202bhp stock) 96
Xantia exclusive V6 auto 3l 98
Xantia 2l 8v auto
BX 4x4 GTi dark met silver
BX 4x4 GTi white
BX GTi 16v white fibre bumpers
BX GTi 16v black fibre bumpers
BX GTi 16v hurricane (doa)
BX DTR estate

Post by ActivaV6uk »

Alexx my email address is andyc@bx16v.com or andyc@activanet.co.uk it would be usefull to talk to you at some point.
Andy
guzzidom
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Post by guzzidom »

I too have just bought a vsx xantia, it has four new outer spheres and a full citroen history (69k miles) and rides like a 1983 Ford Escort, unless you press the the button then it rides like 1912 Ford model T, tried citaerobics (only a couple of ups and downs,I got a bit bored) no change really. the nose on mine doesn't do anything erratic, but upon starting rises significantly quicker than the rear (which sometimes seems to wait till I get the wheels rolling before it will rise at all, though that may be coincidental), does yours have an occasional "crunchy" (for want of a better word) feeling as you come off the brake pedal?.
If you acheive better ride quality before I do, drop me a mail, I'll do likewise (but it takes me ages to get round to anything)
philhoward

Post by philhoward »

I was told (how true it is, I don't know) that hydractive equipped cars must have the spheres replaced in blocks of 4, but front/back. The VSX models aren't as soft a ride as the normal ones, but still better than a 1983 Escort!
I've also been told that all Citroens are very picky about their tyres (preferably Michelins)- whether or not this is true, I don't know.
As for the "crunchy" feeling, there's a problem associated with a buzzing on the pedal when pressed, which is normally a duff brake valve; never heard of a funny feeling when coming off the pedal. Could it possibly be the spring between the pedal and the valve?
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