97 TD Xantia suspension

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short_frank
Posts: 12
Joined: 13 Feb 2004, 09:20

97 TD Xantia suspension

Unread post by short_frank »

Hi this may be a stupid question but this is my first Xantia so bear with me. When I drive the car the knob for adjusting the height is at the higher of the two centre marks. If I drop it to the lower one (obviously not the lowest point) it is extremly bouncy and unstable to drive, is this normal.
Also I have just failed my NCT (Irish version of the MOT) on emissions and both front anti roll bar bushings. The emissions are cheap enough to rectify (drive the bejasus out of it and a bottle of treatment + a gallon of petrol) but I would be interested to read your prices in Britain for these parts as I have been quoted Euro154.00 ( around £102 Sterling). How does this compare to Britain?
Dave Burns
Posts: 1915
Joined: 14 May 2001, 05:30
x 2

Unread post by Dave Burns »

Hi Frank, normal driving position is the lower of the two centre marks (the thickest of the two white lines) so if its bouncy at this position something is wrong.
If the ride is improved by raising the lever to the intermediate setting then its probably the ride height that needs adjusting, ordinarily, moving the lever to this position would make the ride too hard for driving at anything above 10 mph or so.
If you don't know the history of the car and suspect the sphere's may be the original ones, they will almsot certainly need replacing at this age anyway, so if this is the case it may be wise to get this done before messing with other parts of the suspension.
You don't say what model it is.
I have looked at the GSF online shop and anti roll br bushes are not listed, hopefully Jon will look in and tell us what the crack is with them, if he doesn't we'll have to give him a shout.
Dave
tony42
Donor 2024
Posts: 66
Joined: 19 May 2004, 16:58
x 4

Unread post by tony42 »

Frank
Use GSF(Parkwest Ind Est Clondalkin) for the Spheres 4 + accumulator cost approx €150. Got mine replaced last week. The ride is great again except for the struts that need lubing. Hoping for a definitive method of lubing from this forum.
Citroen dealers are charging €80 each for spheres.
Phil H
Posts: 2
Joined: 30 May 2004, 13:51

Unread post by Phil H »

Hi,
I've just bought an estate, done 140K miles, and seems bouncy. I presume too that the spheres need changing. My Haynes only talks about changing spheres and struts.... can I simply change the spheres? Is it just a case of unscrewing the old ones and screwing in new ones? Would I need all four, or start with the front ones (which look very accessible)?
By the way, should i replace all the fluid too? How do I do that?
Thanks
Phil
jeremy
Posts: 3959
Joined: 20 Oct 2002, 16:00
x 2

Unread post by jeremy »

Before adjusting the height adjuster linkages its worth having a good look at them and making sure they are clean and well lubricated as they can get corroded and stiff and will not allow the car to reach the correct ride height.
BE CAREFUL when fiddling with these linkages and make sure the car is well supported. If you accidentally release the linkage the car can fall on you. Never get under an unsupported hydraulic Citroen - they can kill.
jeremy
tony42
Donor 2024
Posts: 66
Joined: 19 May 2004, 16:58
x 4

Unread post by tony42 »

Hi PHil H
Trawl through this site before attempting spheres. A procedure is required to depressurize system before attempting to remove spheres.If you dont do this you will probably remove your head with a sphere as it shoots into orbit. The rere spheres are very hard to get off. Read numerous other threads on this that give advice and tips. I think you will need to replace them all to get an improvement as the chances are they are all shot. Struts just seem to need lubing and again there are methods suggested on this forum.
rgds
Tony
tony42
Donor 2024
Posts: 66
Joined: 19 May 2004, 16:58
x 4

Unread post by tony42 »

Checked price from service history on my xantia. Previous owner paid £77 Ir +vat and then labout on top from replacement drop link .I am assuming its the same part
Tony
Phil H
Posts: 2
Joined: 30 May 2004, 13:51

Unread post by Phil H »

Thanks Tony,
Looking at the rear spheres, they are rather rusty on the outside.... Maybe I'll chicken out and get a garage to do it.
CU
Phil