C5 X7 front ride height sensor

[c16rkc]

I have searched this forum, and the wider web, but I can't seem to see any help on how to get to the front ride height sensor on a 4 cylinder C5 X7 with the hydrothingy suspension... Does anyone know how you get to them?

The drawings show is here:



I can't access it from this angle, because someone has inconsiderately put an engine in the way, but I also cannot see how to get to it from below.

Has anyone else managed to change this part?

[c16rkc]

Not to worry... I have found it!

viewtopic.php?t=69237

This is the correct removal / refitting procedure that may help you cross reference.

Fine adjustments are carried out using the standard height checking and measurement procedure - but only fine adjustments.



Unclip:

• The connector (at "c")
• The connector (at "d") (according to equipment)
• The connector (at "e")

Uncouple the rod (8) from the lever (9).



Remove the bolt (10).
Remove the front height sensor (11) through the wheel arch.

Refitting



Peg: The height sensor (at "g") using a TORX socket wrench 25.

Refit the front to fight sensor (11) to the support (12).

N.B. : Position the lug "f" on the support (12).

Hold the height sensor (11) in position.
Refit bolt (10). Tighten to 0,4 ± 0,1 daN.m.

Remove the setting rod from the height sensor.

Couple the rod (1) on the lever (2).

Clip:

• The connector (at "e")
  The connector (at "d") (according to equipment)
  The connector (at "c")
  
  Connect:
  • The connector (at "b") (according to equipment)
  • The connector (at "a")
  Refit:
  • The yokes (6)
  • The bolts (7) Tighten to 10 ± 1 daN.m
  • The bolts (5) Tighten to 14 ± 1,4 daN.m
  • The clip (4)
  • The nut (3) Tighten to 2,5 ± 0,3 daN.m
  • The (2) bolt Tighten to 6 ± 0,6 daN.m
  Pull the lifting tool from under the front subframe.
  Refit the front wheels.
  
  Tighten the wheel bolts.
  Return the vehicle to its wheels.

[c16rkc]

Though I still have no idea how to access these bits! - I'll take another look...

[c16rkc]

I managed it!

Will post some pics later, just in case someone else needs to know how I managed it.

[Hell Razor5543]

Just remember to put back those remaining 'spare' bits!

[c16rkc]

Soooo...

To remove the front ride height sensor, on a C5 X7 with the 4 cylinder engine, you need to:

- Loosen the front passenger (left) wheel bolts.
- Raise the car to max height.
- Jack the front up, and put on axel stands.
- Remove the front undertray.
- Remove the front passenger side (left) wheel.
- Remove the rear section of the front passenger arch liner.

You are now ready to start!

I roughly followed the above from Marc's post, but I removed the link bar (item 8 in the above diagrams) at the sensor, rather than off the bar on the other side... because it would not budge!

I am 5'6" and a tiny build which helps... I have tiny hands which definately helped... longer fingers would have been nice

You get to the sensor at the lower back of the arch here.





I used a ratchet spanner to release the nut holding the sensor on. A torche is a must!







New sensor is a nightmare to get on, as you need one hand to hold it in place, but can't get another hand it to screw in the bolt that fastens the sensor.

So I ended up with two fingers holding the sensor, while the other two fingers lined up, inserted, and screwed up the bolt... it took me ages!

Once in place I went under the car, reached my hand over and into the lower part of the engine bay, so I could refasten the ball joint arm (item 8 in diagram in above posts) back on to the sensor. That was also very tricky, and I could not get it to snap fully home. So after it was in place I used a tent peg as a hook to pull on the ball joint bar from the wheel arch side until it snapped home on the sensor.

Then I clicked the cables back on.

I have no idea if it's worked, because the battery is too flat to start the car...

So I have put the wheel arch trim, and undertrays back on, refitted the wheel, and taken the car off the axel stands.

Got a nasty surprise when I found the suspension is now slammed! Am hoping it rises back up when the battery is charged and I start her up!



Wish me luck!

[PaulC5]

You have a decent looking garage, beats working on a drive.

Every couple of years on our 2007 C5 I put a dab of grease on the height sensor link ball joints so they move freely. On the C5 X7 I think you should slacken the LDS tank cap after raising the car to max height and before jacking it up. Once back on the ground the cap can be tightened. This is to avoid the risk of the tank splitting and is worth mentioning to non Citroen garages/tyre fitters in case they do not know..

[c16rkc]

Thanks Paul,

Yes I am very lucky with the garage, had it built a year ago now and its a real dream come true.

Thanks for the tips.

I am pleased to say the fix is a partial success. With enough charge in the battery, the car rose off the ground so I could put away my jacks.

Normal ride height still seems too high, but its not full height any more. I seem to have 3 different heights now, rather than 2, as the third height is now full height. Height setting 4 is now the same as setting 3.

I'm hoping that taking height measurements and calibrating using Lexina/Dog box will do the trick.

[KennyW]

You will need to take the measurements as per Citroen instructions, can be found in the how to section for paid members, then input into Diagbox.

Diagbox will do the fine adjustments for you if your measurements are within the tolerances set by Citroen.

Kenny

PS Any worn suspension part will cause the suspension ecu to compensate for it and alter the settings accordingly. I found this out when i changed both of my suspension arms and the height was miles out. This will cause excessive tyre wear and other problems to the suspension.

[c16rkc]

Thanks Kenny,

I did read up how to do the calibration in Diag box, though I misunderstood and thought the sensor "arm" bracket position had to be changed to correct it.... something I am reluctant to do due to the silly access. It also put me off when I saw the strange measurements that needed to be taken under the car and the special tools you are supposed to use (which I do not have) to work out some of the dimensions.

I am going to advise the Citroen specialist garage what I have done, as it goes in for a CAM belt and service on Wednesday. I think I'll let them sort the rest out as they will have the car anyway.... I am a coward

[Dunkah]

Hi guys, just stumbled upon this thread, seems I have a similar issue after doing some suspension work.
Fitted new wishbones recently and now I’m getting a front height issue. When I got the car back together it would only go full high or full low, nothing in between, I thought I’d damaged the height sensor so fitted a new one. No different unfortunately.
c16rkc….. did you ever get yours sorted? If so what did it need?
And KennyW, i do have lexia, can you shed any light on what I might need to do to correct my height.
Many thanks
I’ll throw this open on the forum too

[c16rkc]

Hi Dunkah,

I did get this issue sorted, though it did require a compromised after my local Citroen specialist did not have their 4-post lift free and could not calibrate my suspension height. But there is nothing exciting to add to the above.

Basically after the above actions had given me a slightly high ride height, I experimented inserting calibration figures into Dogbox, until I worked out which figures did what. Then I adjusted the ride height by eye, and by putting in lots of different figures.

But if it helps, this is what I started with.





When I opened up dog box, it took me a while to figure out how you modify the settings. But with some experimentation it seemed if you entered 160 for the front, and 105 for the rear, the software did not modify the position. So then by entering figures below these two you can raise the car, and by entering figures above you can lower the car.





After 30 mins of tweaking, I settled on this for my Citroen's stance.



I cycled it from min to max 4 or 5 times, and it settled a little higher than that. But it still looks pretty spot on.

[Dunkah]

Excellent stuff. Thanks very much for this c16rck. That’s exactly what I needed.
My car is booked in tomorrow morning at my good friends workshop so I’ll have a good idea what and where to concentrate the lexia on now.
Many thanks

[xsandrax13]

Hey guys,
I read the discussion and as always I end up having same thoughts - I can't do anything without a Diagbox.

I changed wishbones and quite a few parts in the front.
After that, normal position in the front is almost as low as the lowest.

My regular mechanic has different software and even though he can depressurise the system and also has the option to input some numbers to adjust the sensors height, every input comes back with a message: out of range, and he could not help me with this.

I am truly worried to drive it like this because I can tell, when I turn wheels and road is uneven my tyres are being damaged.

I have pretty small hands and I could try to adjust it manually but I would have to get at least a small tip which way should I turn. The height difference is about 20cm so I guess 1mm turn could do, I just don't want to mess it up more.

Or...

Does anyone know someone with Diagbox in Peterborough area? I know this is a long shot, but after so many issues I had with my car lately, I need to try ask for help my fellow citroen people.

[myglaren]

Take a look here:-
viewtopic.php?t=56452
A list of members with diagnostic kit with their location and a map showing the approximate locations.
If you can find one near you, send them a PM and agree on what will happen next.
Be aware though that this is not a professional service, just members trying to help other members, also they are not always online. It can go quite a long time before any individual member will respond.
We try and keep the list up to date but can't guarantee it.