Xantia 1.9td Brake Issues - Is This Normal ?

[Steviebax]

Hi.

 

I've just bought a R reg Xantia 1.9td. I've never had a citroen before so l'm not sure if this is normal - however it doesn't feel safe to me !!

 

If you are crawling along and apply the brakes it will stop smoothly - IF you are breaking from speed and placing more pressure on the pedal then the car will stop smoothly no probs.

 

However - if you are applying moderate pressure to break up to a junction for example, the breaks seem to come off an on quite harshly. It's almost as if the ABS (if it has abs ??) comes on. It will break hard then freewheel for a second and then break hard again - basically kangarooing to a stop.

 

I have noticed that if l press the pedal very slightly it will take longer to stop but won't kangaroo.

 

Anyone had this problem before ??

 

Could it be the abs sensors ?? Maybe they need a clean.

 

 

I simply don't know ??!!? Any help would be great.

 

Thanks.

[Johndouglas]

Maybe you are just experiencing Xantia brakes. That's the differerence in the system between the brakes on the Xantia and those on more conventional cars. The Xantia brakes use the same hydraulic fluid used by the suspension and the steering. As the pedal goes down, a spring is first compressed which may give the impression of the brakes being slow to react. Many home mechanics with Xantias do their own modification to the pedal whereby they remove the spring between the button on the brake dosuer valve and pedal with a similar length of 15mm copper tube.

 

Of course, you may have additional faults.

[Steviebax]

Maybe you are just experiencing Xantia brakes. That's the differerence in the system between the brakes on the Xantia and those on more conventional cars. The Xantia brakes use the same hydraulic fluid used by the suspension and the steering. As the pedal goes down, a spring is first compressed which may give the impression of the brakes being slow to react. Many home mechanics with Xantias do their own modification to the pedal whereby they remove the spring between the button on the brake dosuer valve and pedal with a similar length of 15mm copper tube.

 

Of course, you may have additional faults.

 

 

Hi.

 

I've heard about this spring in another forum and l'm hoping that's all it is. It's jsut strange cos when you have your foot on the brake it seems to go off and on. Otherwords it comes on strong and then off and then on again - ends up knocking you back and forth in the seat!!

 

Hope it's not the compensator valve or something.

 

Think l'll try the pipe technique tomorrow and see if that makes a difference - certainly won't hurt.

 

Cheers

[macmaz82]

Out of interest, has the accumulator been changed at any point?

 

Is there a noise almost like air when the pedal tries to return back up?

[Steviebax]

Out of interest, has the accumulator been changed at any point?

 

Is there a noise almost like air when the pedal tries to return back up?

 

 

No noise.

 

The only noise is the sound of that funny little spring loaded piston under the brake pedal.

 

Apart from that - nothing.

 

You think maybe it could be a warped disk ??

 

Also - as l have never had a Xantia before - l am assuming this is supposed to have ABS but there is no light on the dashboard when l turn the ignition on.

 

Should there be ??? OR is it possible the bulb has blown or the previous owner pulled it ??

 

 

IF there is supposed to be a light on the dash then l think l'll pull the facia and have a looksie behind.

 

I have a Xantia 1.9TD R reg estate

 

Cheers

[kfk]

My thoughts on this:

1, get the brakes bled this is the first stage as air in the system can upset the brake operation.

 

2, if after bleeding the brakes you still have a problem it could well be the brake dozeur (master cylinder) at fault. in which case a replacement will be required.