Mk.1 Or Mk.2

[willie]

Hello fellow Xantia owners!!!

 

My name's Willie and have recently purchased a 1996 (P) Xantia SX TD.

 

I bought the car from a workmate who really didn't use the vehicle much at all as he had a works vehicle that he favoured due to free running costs etc.

 

The car is pretty clean and shows only 76,000 miles.

 

Can any of you guys tell me if it's a Mk.1 or a Mk.2...........it has the chevron badge on the front grill.

 

I do think the suspension will have to have some work done as it's a rather bouncy ride and not at all the comfiest of cars I've driven!!!

 

Can anyone recommend a reputable garage in Glasgow or surrounding area that I could trust?

 

Thank you

 

Willie

[Guest rowls]

Mk1 xantias had a grille that was seperate from the bonnet, Mk2's have a bonnet that comes down between the headlamps and has got the grille built into it, the changover point from Mk1 to Mk2 was approx december 1997. Bouncy suspension will most likely be the supension spheres worn out.

[willie]

Mk1 xantias had a grille that was seperate from the bonnet, Mk2's have a bonnet that comes down between the headlamps and has got the grille built into it, the changover point from Mk1 to Mk2 was approx december 1997. Bouncy suspension will most likely be the supension spheres worn out.

 

 

 

 

Thank you for your reply mate.

[Guest Colin Hunter]

Thank you for your reply mate.

 

 

The spheres are neither difficult nor particularly expensive to change. You should be able to change all four for under £100. GSF Car Parts are a good source of parts for Citroens. A selection of suspension spheres can be found by searching the online shop at http://www.gsfcarparts.com/ There is a branch in Glasgow 0141-433-4080

They're also available cheaply on ebay whre a removal tool can be found for £15 or so.

The fronts are easy as they are accessible under the bonnet.

The rears are more difficult as you need to get the car up on a lift or over a pit. The procedure is as follows.

1. Put the car up to full height and slacken each sphere 1/4 turn only using a suitable wrench.
   
2. Lower the car to the lowest setting and de-pressurise the system by opening the screw on the accumulator (sphere on the front of the engine) to release the pressure. You will hear an audible hiss.
   
3. Unscrew each sphere in turn and replace with a new one. Replace the square section "O" ring seal which will be in the kit at the same time. Pick the old seal out of the sphere housing and put the new seal in its place. Don't put the "O" ring on the sphere as it won't seat properly.
   
4. Spin the new sphere onto the housing (It should go "Home" with a clunk) You should not need to tighten it any further if it seats properly.
   
5. As with anything Hydraulic, it is important that everything is as clean as possible at all times.
   
6. When all spheres have been changed, close the screw on the accumulator and start the engine.
   
7. Work the suspension between the high and low settings several times to expel air from the system.
   
8. Check for leaks. JOB DONE!
   

All in all I find it much easier changing Xantia spheres than changing a conventional spring. Any decent independent garage should be able to do it if you don't want to try it yourself.

 

It is very important to remember to work safely and if you try to do the rears without a pit or lift, to support the car properly before going underneath. This is particularly important with the Hydraulic system as it can drop and crush the unfortunate person under the car. BEWARE!

 

Cheers. Hope this helps

[willie]

The spheres are neither difficult nor particularly expensive to change. You should be able to change all four for under £100. GSF Car Parts are a good source of parts for Citroens. A selection of suspension spheres can be found by searching the online shop at http://www.gsfcarparts.com/ There is a branch in Glasgow 0141-433-4080

They're also available cheaply on ebay whre a removal tool can be found for £15 or so.

The fronts are easy as they are accessible under the bonnet.

The rears are more difficult as you need to get the car up on a lift or over a pit. The procedure is as follows.

1. Put the car up to full height and slacken each sphere 1/4 turn only using a suitable wrench.
   
2. Lower the car to the lowest setting and de-pressurise the system by opening the screw on the accumulator (sphere on the front of the engine) to release the pressure. You will hear an audible hiss.
   
3. Unscrew each sphere in turn and replace with a new one. Replace the square section "O" ring seal which will be in the kit at the same time. Pick the old seal out of the sphere housing and put the new seal in its place. Don't put the "O" ring on the sphere as it won't seat properly.
   
4. Spin the new sphere onto the housing (It should go "Home" with a clunk) You should not need to tighten it any further if it seats properly.
   
5. As with anything Hydraulic, it is important that everything is as clean as possible at all times.
   
6. When all spheres have been changed, close the screw on the accumulator and start the engine.
   
7. Work the suspension between the high and low settings several times to expel air from the system.
   
8. Check for leaks. JOB DONE!
   

All in all I find it much easier changing Xantia spheres than changing a conventional spring. Any decent independent garage should be able to do it if you don't want to try it yourself.

 

It is very important to remember to work safely and if you try to do the rears without a pit or lift, to support the car properly before going underneath. This is particularly important with the Hydraulic system as it can drop and crush the unfortunate person under the car. BEWARE!

 

Cheers. Hope this helps

It certainly has helped!!! Thank you again.

 

The car only seems to rise and drop at the front. When I put the lever fully forward (to drop it) it only drops at the front! When I pull the lever right back (to the high setting) it is only the front that come up.

 

Does this sound like the spheres guys???

[iannez]

no. the rear hight corrector has seized. look under the back of the car on the anti rollbar just to the right of centre and you will see it. it clamps around the rollbar and has a white plastic arm coming off it.

[Mick59]

Hello fellow Xantia owners!!!

Hi Willie The Grill is incorporated in the bonnet on the MK2 and seperate on the MK1. Good luck sorting your suspension. Mick

My name's Willie and have recently purchased a 1996 (P) Xantia SX TD.

 

I bought the car from a workmate who really didn't use the vehicle much at all as he had a works vehicle that he favoured due to free running costs etc.

 

The car is pretty clean and shows only 76,000 miles.

 

Can any of you guys tell me if it's a Mk.1 or a Mk.2...........it has the chevron badge on the front grill.

 

I do think the suspension will have to have some work done as it's a rather bouncy ride and not at all the comfiest of cars I've driven!!!

 

Can anyone recommend a reputable garage in Glasgow or surrounding area that I could trust?

 

Thank you

 

Willie

[willie]

no. the rear hight corrector has seized. look under the back of the car on the anti rollbar just to the right of centre and you will see it. it clamps around the rollbar and has a white plastic arm coming off it.

Thanks, I now have both ends of the car rising and falling after doing as you said........although it can sometimes be a wee bit temperamental !!!

 

Fingers crossed, it'll be better once it has 4 new corner spheres and Hydraflush in the system.

 

Maybe it'll end up a "She" once it's running the way it should !!!

 

I have always reffered to cars I like as "She" !!!

 

But for now it's definately an "It" !!!!!!!! ; - (

[Guest Colin Hunter]

Shame on you, Willie! How can you call a Xantia "IT" They are definitely Female. They are unpredictable, sometimes unreliable, Unfathomable, They respond well to TLC,They are a damn good ride, and if you push the right switches they go like hell! :rolleyes:

[willie]

Shame on you, Willie! How can you call a Xantia "IT" They are definitely Female. They are unpredictable, sometimes unreliable, Unfathomable, They respond well to TLC,They are a damn good ride, and if you push the right switches they go like hell! :D

 

:rolleyes:

 

:lol:

[gazza028]

The spheres are neither difficult nor particularly expensive to change. You should be able to change all four for under £100. GSF Car Parts are a good source of parts for Citroens. A selection of suspension spheres can be found by searching the online shop at http://www.gsfcarparts.com/ There is a branch in Glasgow 0141-433-4080

They're also available cheaply on ebay whre a removal tool can be found for £15 or so.

The fronts are easy as they are accessible under the bonnet.

The rears are more difficult as you need to get the car up on a lift or over a pit. The procedure is as follows.

1. Put the car up to full height and slacken each sphere 1/4 turn only using a suitable wrench.
   
2. Lower the car to the lowest setting and de-pressurise the system by opening the screw on the accumulator (sphere on the front of the engine) to release the pressure. You will hear an audible hiss.
   
3. Unscrew each sphere in turn and replace with a new one. Replace the square section "O" ring seal which will be in the kit at the same time. Pick the old seal out of the sphere housing and put the new seal in its place. Don't put the "O" ring on the sphere as it won't seat properly.
   
4. Spin the new sphere onto the housing (It should go "Home" with a clunk) You should not need to tighten it any further if it seats properly.
   
5. As with anything Hydraulic, it is important that everything is as clean as possible at all times.
   
6. When all spheres have been changed, close the screw on the accumulator and start the engine.
   
7. Work the suspension between the high and low settings several times to expel air from the system.
   
8. Check for leaks. JOB DONE!
   

All in all I find it much easier changing Xantia spheres than changing a conventional spring. Any decent independent garage should be able to do it if you don't want to try it yourself.

 

It is very important to remember to work safely and if you try to do the rears without a pit or lift, to support the car properly before going underneath. This is particularly important with the Hydraulic system as it can drop and crush the unfortunate person under the car. BEWARE!

 

Cheers. Hope this helps

 

Hi Colin,

 

What you have explained sounds within my capabilities. What is wrong with my Xantia MK1 is almost as if the rear suspension is solid with no give. Is this still the same problem?

 

Cheers

 

Gary

[DaveWalling]

Hi Gary,

Colin is having a few problems with the forum at present, he can read posts but not reply to them. However it does sound like your rear spheres are due for renewal, trouble is once you replace one set if the other is on the way, it becomes quite obvious. I had my rear ones changed and the realised just how bad the front ones had become!

[DaveWalling]

Hi Gary,

Colin is having a few problems with the forum at present, he can read posts but not reply to them. However it does sound like your rear spheres are due for renewal, trouble is once you replace one set if the other is on the way, it becomes quite obvious. I had my rear ones changed and the realised just how bad the front ones had become!