I Have A Silly Question

[winnie]

I have a silly question.

If you higher the suspension with the button then block one wheel then lower the suspension  can you change the wheel.

 

 

[paul.h]

Interesting question but if the height sensors are not in the right position for the button setting, you may find the suspension will continue to try and adjust itself. The wheel you want to change would not raise itself off the ground as the suspension lowered since it relies on the weight of the car pushing through the wheel on the ground to force the lds fluid out of the struts. There have been reports some time ago of people who jacked up the car without raising the suspension to max and then on lowering the car off the jack were left with suspension problems.

[Johndouglas]

Now if you'd asked that question about the BX, the answer would have been an emphatic "Yes".   You could move the lever to allow the suspension to go to it's highest point.   Then put a jack (or even an axle stand) under the sill support, then lower the suspension, and the wheel lifted up off the ground.   A very useful device., but the C5 doesn't work that way.  

[Drummer1]

So let me get this clear.... in the event of a puncture is it correct to raise the suspension to maximum height first, then put the jack in position and then use the jack to raise the car even higher?

How bizarre if that is the case!!! :unsure:

[Johndouglas]

Yes!   That's it.   It's possible to jack up without first raising the suspension without any damage being caused, but also the suspension is just as likely to stick on 'high'.   Therefore Citroen recommend that the suspension is raised before jacking.   Certainly whenever I took my C5 for MOT, I always told the assistant to raise it first.   Some MOT guys are aware - and some aren't.

[Drummer1]

Good point actually about the MOT.

Is it important that it is raised before they put it up on the ramp?

[winnie]

Thanks for answering my silly question, I had a BX many years ago, great car.

Merry Christmas Reggie.

[Johndouglas]

Usually it's driven onto the ramp and the features on the underside are  examined.    The steering on lock to lock is done with the wheels on the ground but standing on rotating plates.   Then it is raised off all four wheels,  usually by the jacks on the cross beams.    It's at this point that the suspension should be in the  raised position..  

[Johndouglas]

I had a BX many years ago, great car.

Yes! Pity they can't still make them. A much simpler engine with less to go wrong. Unless you needed to replace the Octopus.. :D

Mine had the most comfortable seats in it that I've ever sat on.

[paul.h]

One advantage of raising the suspension before using the jack is the car does not need to be raised much more since the suspension does not extend as it would on cars with springs and shock absorbers.