she's going down lads

aboutyeabig · Unread post by **aboutyeabig** » 03 Oct 2004, 16:11

<font face="Tahoma">Xantia 1.9 TD 1998, LX, facelift. 142K miles
Car has anti sink so stays up over night.
when it's turned on in morning the front lifts up straight away but the rear lets all the fluid out and sinks to the bottom!
Then about 1-2 mins gradually creeps up and up , then with one mighty effort reaches the top only to sink about 5-7 cm.
Sometimes it just doesn't even bother to lift up and I have to drive off with it trailing until it lifts up halfway down the road. [:(!]
what would cause such a phenomenon? as self levelling works fine front and rear. <font face="Tahoma"></font id="Tahoma">
Had the car almost a year now and it's always done it.
I'm only the 2nd owner</font id="Tahoma">

mseymour · Unread post by **mseymour** » 03 Oct 2004, 16:25

Does the suspension seem otherwise fine once it's pumped up?
I would suspect it doesn't always raise up because the height corrector is a bit sticky. I think I'm right in saying the rear anti-sink valve should be suspected.
What condition is the LHM? If it's anything other than perfect I'd drain and flush the system before refilling

aboutyeabig · Unread post by **aboutyeabig** » 03 Oct 2004, 16:34

Yes the suspension does work perfectly other than on start up.
LHM is in good condition.
is the anti sink valve easily replaced? should the sphere be changed also?

nick · Unread post by **nick** » 03 Oct 2004, 17:01

This sounds like the anti-sink sphere needs replacing, rather than the valve. If the valve itself wasn't working correctly the car would sink overnight.

aboutyeabig · Unread post by **aboutyeabig** » 03 Oct 2004, 17:12

Does the front have it's own anti sink sphere?
I thought there was only the one at the rear?
If the sphere does need replacing why does is the front not effected the same way as the rear suspension?
Is it because its first in the system if you know what I mean?

jeremy · Unread post by **jeremy** » 03 Oct 2004, 17:26

The car has to sink before the anti-sink is needed. generally the fronts sink after the rear - so this may be the answer to your question.
The anti-sink sphere is there to top up pressure once the anti-sink valve opens - so it looks like your rear A/S sphere has gone - not the valve. Full instructions for changeing are somewhere on this site.
jeremy

wrinklet1 · Unread post by **wrinklet1** » 03 Oct 2004, 21:47

Hi, I think it proove worthwhile, you getting under the car with Gunk in hand, give the height correctors front and rear a good going over with gunk, and while your at it, any other parts connecting together making sure you move the height adjuster inside the car a good few back and forth movements to loosen any crud. Then powerwash under neath the car giving it a good going over. Now the best bit, Gloves on, and give the height corretors a good greasing NOT oil. Paste the grease all over including the connecting rods. I have done this with my Xantia and it made a world of difference, make it a yearly task and the ride wil be perfect.
Regards
Paul

jeremy · Unread post by **jeremy** » 04 Oct 2004, 02:51

All I do to achieve the same result is to squirt the likely parts with spray grease. No doubt Wrinklet's method is better but mine works on my BX.
Jeremy

wrinklet1 · Unread post by **wrinklet1** » 04 Oct 2004, 13:23

I have tried spray grease myself, but it soon washes off, thick universal grease is better.
Paul

Kowalski · Unread post by **Kowalski** » 04 Oct 2004, 15:57

I had this on my older Xantia, a new accumulator sphere was required and that sorted it out.
The rear 'anti sink' sphere isn't really anti sink, its an extra pressure reservoir for the rear brakes, and stops the brakes from making the rear sink as quickly.

rory_perrett · Unread post by **rory_perrett** » 04 Oct 2004, 22:43

Agree with Kowalski - Same thing on wife's '95 TD, new accumulator sphere sorted it.
Rory