The wanderer returns - very hard rear suspension!

Post by **Rhothgar** » 22 May 2017, 10:58

Morning all,

I've not been at all active in the Citroen world in the last few years. Just had a lot to deal with and still have.

I've been meaning to post for weeks but not got around to it. Tend to put things on the back burner a lot until I really have to deal with them. Procrastination is my middle name!

Whenever I hit a raised road bump or hump, the suspension seems to bounce at the rear two or three times and it is VERY hard. In fact, it feels as if the suspension is in low or high even though it's not. It's that kind of hard.

Will it be a simple case of changing the rear suspension spheres?

If so, what's the latest advice on whose spheres are best? GSF? Sutton? Euro?

Post by **Paul-R** » 22 May 2017, 11:45

What car?

Post by **GiveMeABreak** » 22 May 2017, 12:01

Have a look at this video - you can clearly see the back lifting off as the rear goes over a speed hump. There are some various suggestions in the comments, but is this the problem you are having?

Post by **Rhothgar** » 22 May 2017, 12:12

Paul-R wrote:What car?

Sorry. S1. Xantia

Post by **Rhothgar** » 22 May 2017, 12:16

GiveMeABreak wrote:Have a look at this video - you can clearly see the back lifting off as the rear goes over a speed hump. There are some various suggestions in the comments, but is this the problem you are having?

I'd doubt the tyre is leaving the ground.

The reason I know it bounces three times is because my seat squeaks three times!

There probably isn't any articulation. Haven't got time to check by driving over speed bumps and taking videos but that's a great idea. Wanted to get it sorted this afternoon.

I suppose the gas must have depleted in the spheres. There is very, very little damping effect, if any.

Post by **elma** » 22 May 2017, 12:18

If your ride height is correct then it very much sounds like you need to change the rear spheres.
Ifhs from their own online store would be my first choice.
If you must fix it today then gsf are probably the best bet.

Post by **GiveMeABreak** » 22 May 2017, 12:21

How long is it since the spheres were replaced - do you know? The spheres are a good place to start but also check the height corrector for seizure beforehand.

Post by **elma** » 22 May 2017, 13:58

If the ride height is good and it goes up and down correctly on the lever I'd be fairly confident that it's the spheres.

Post by **Rhothgar** » 22 May 2017, 15:12

Yes it rises and falls as it should. Or does it now I've said that? I'll check but I think it might be struggling to return to normal ride height from high setting but high to low, low to high is fine.

I had spheres regassed by Pleiades back in June 2013 from memory.

Post by **white exec** » 22 May 2017, 15:17

Hydractive Xantia
No softness at the rear means the centre (Hydractive) sphere has probably lost its gas.
(Maybe wheel spheres as well, if ancient - but even if these are flat, the centre sphere, if working, will provide softness.)

Non-Hydractive Xantia
No softness at rear means rear wheel spheres need replacing.

Post by **Rhothgar** » 22 May 2017, 15:19

OK. Normal to high takes 10 seconds. Front starts to rise first then rear consecutively.

High to normal takes 7 seconds to react then front lowers first followed by rear. Normal level attained after 24 seconds.

Normal to low is immediate.

Low to normal takes about 12 seconds to react. Rear first then front. Process is complete by 38 seconds.

So it would appear height correctors are fine.

Post by **GiveMeABreak** » 22 May 2017, 15:24

Sounds like the spheres then - I doubt they'll last as long with a regas, but if you've had 4 years out of them since that's not bad going.

Post by **white exec** » 22 May 2017, 15:27

But easily checked for pressure, if regas valves are fitted.
If remaining pressure is less than 10bar, they're best ditched.
Best to remove sphere from car when pressure checking or regassing, to avoid any remaining system pressure affecting the reading.

Post by **Rhothgar** » 22 May 2017, 15:29

white exec wrote:Hydractive Xantia
No softness at the rear means the centre (Hydractive) sphere has probably lost its gas.
(Maybe wheel spheres as well, if ancient - but even if these are flat, the centre sphere, if working, will provide softness.)

Non-Hydractive Xantia
No softness at rear means rear wheel spheres need replacing.

Yes. It's Non-Hydractive so that's my answer. Problem is try have silver grey ones on which I think are the more robust spheres. Chances are if I get replacements from GSF they'll be the green ones.

What to do?

Post by **Rhothgar** » 22 May 2017, 15:35

white exec wrote:But easily checked for pressure, if regas valves are fitted.
If remaining pressure is less than 10bar, they're best ditched.
Best to remove sphere from car when pressure checking or regassing, to avoid any remaining system pressure affecting the reading.

Ideal if I could get to someone like Jim's but I don't to be driving it long distances unnecessarily.

Can I buy regas valves from anywhere? If nothing else, it would be worth nothing if they are salvageable as Pleaides is about 90 mins away.

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