Xantia 1.9 Td Sx Ride Quality

[DocBrown]

Six months ago I changed the front and rear spheres for pattern parts from GSF Carparts.

I knew the fronts were needing to be changed because the ride was hardening up and every bump sent the car pitching and bouncing. Also every road irregularity seemed to be transmitted into the cabin.

 

The front spheres were easy to swap and the rears were too as I'd bought a sphere removal tool from Ebay and I loosened them off with car on highest setting (and supported on axle stands!) as the pressure stops the strut from turning and straining the metal pipes. Just make sure you only crack off the spheres just to get them moving and use Plusgas first between the sphere and strut.

 

Anyway, despite all the spheres being changed, the ride - although improved - certainly lacks the magic carpet ride I was expecting. This was disappointing as I feel the ride quality is no better than my friends Ford Mondeo.

Also, very occaisionally, there will be a loud groan from the front when starting up, the front will drop an inch or two then pump up to normal height. Could this be sticking front struts? The last MOT did issue an advisory for small trace of oil around strut gaiters...

 

To date I have checked main balljoints, track rod outers, anti-rollbar droplinks and lower arm bushes. I have also checked for loose strut-top mounts but can't detect any slop anywhere.

The car rises from lowest setting to highest setting although it can take a good few seconds before the front heaves itself skyward.

I regularly WD40 the front and rear height correctors as well as do the Citerobics once a month.

I've read that older Xantias have softer spheres so is it possible to retro-fit a 1997 Xantia with early MK 1 Xantia spheres?

Thanks

Doc

[techbod]

suspension on full height and undone the spheres :( your lucky to be alive,

to do it properly raise the car to full height then put axle stand under it now with engine running lower the suspension to lowest position then undo the bleed nut to depressurize the system then change the spheres,

failure to do it that way and you risk serious injury because of the pressure in the system and fitting new spears when its at full height will lock air in the system.

 

if your car has the rear center sphere you cant use the older type which didn't have the center sphere like the bx they are very different so stick to what they should be

[DocBrown]

suspension on full height and undone the spheres :) your lucky to be alive,

to do it properly raise the car to full height then put axle stand under it now with engine running lower the suspension to lowest position then undo the bleed nut to depressurize the system then change the spheres,

failure to do it that way and you risk serious injury because of the pressure in the system and fitting new spears when its at full height will lock air in the system.

 

if your car has the rear center sphere you cant use the older type which didn't have the center sphere like the bx they are very different so stick to what they should be

 

Thanks for replying but please note - I placed the car on axle stands BEFORE cracking off the rear spheres just enough to break the sticking ability of dirt and corrosion that builds up between original or old spheres and suspension strut body. Without the system pressure to effectively keep the car's weight on the strut, if any attempt is made to remove the sphere when system is depressurised, the strut is 'loose' and tries to turn with the sphere and twists or fractures the metal pipes. I've seen a few ham fisted attempts where people have done just that and twisted or ruptured the metal pipes.

 

The rear spheres can be safely 'cracked off' and by that I mean a few degrees of rotation only just to be in with a chance of removing them ONLY after system is depressurised. Then once the system is depressurised - and I always leave the engine idling for a few minutes just to make sure - when the engine is switched off the spheres can then be safely unscrewed.

I'm sorry if I wasn't that clear in my original post.

[techbod]

that's better ;) because other might get the wrong idea and attempt to remove them without depressurize the system, only give your enemies that idea :) j/k

[Johndouglas]

If you fitted spheres from GSF only six months ago I would say that your problem lies elsewhere. I've used their spheres on previous Xantia and as long ago as when I had a BX and have found them to be reliable and long-lived.

[DocBrown]

that's better ;) because other might get the wrong idea and attempt to remove them without depressurize the system, only give your enemies that idea ;) j/k

 

A few years ago while waiting for tyres to be fitted in a 'Fast Fit centre' I witnessed a 'mechanic' trying to remove a front sphere without depressurizing the system first. (Obviously never worked on a Citroen).

The look of utter shock and surprise on the bloke's face as he stepped backwards from under the bonnet covered in LHM looking like a Doctor Who monster will stay with me for ever. Hilarious but a real contender for the Darwin Award. Luckily no one was injured but it's quite impressive just how far and how much surface area pressurised LHM will cover.

[DocBrown]

that's better ;) because other might get the wrong idea and attempt to remove them without depressurize the system, only give your enemies that idea ;) j/k

 

Hi,

I've noticed as well as a quite unsettled ride on uneven roads, the car - for want of a better word - almost feels like it's shrugging its shoulders when it hits bumps, ridges or slightly wavy road surfaces. The self levelling still works and there's no pitching, but it waddles. Sounds weird but it's the only way I can describe the ride quality.

The self levelling abilities still impress but I'm wondering if this same self levelling control works laterally or across the car as well as front and rear axles?

I have checked for excess movement in main ball joints, steering rack mounts and inner and outer joints, droplinks and lower arm bushes but everything is as per factory settings. The only downside is slight leak or misting from front struts which was picked up on last mot as an advisory. Certainly not looking forward to buying new struts as they are nearly £200 a side from GSF!

The car always rises and sinks when commanded on the height selector but I cannot work out why the car rocks so much on bumps. It also tramlines badly on wear ridges especially on the A14 and M11 but tyre pressures and condition is okay.

I'm pretty sure these symptoms are not simply a quirk of hydro suspension and it ruins what is otherwise a great car. :(

Doc

[techbod]

it does sound like bushings to me like they were worn and sticking saying that the front strut leaking wont help anything and could be the total cause of the problem because your not getting the air out of the system, these systems hate air in them no matter how little why not try a breakers yard or ebay