Hi,
A simple query. I recently bought a '93 Xantia which is now rising rear-first, instead of front first. What does this mean? What needs fixing? Do I need to remortgage?
Thanks
Simon
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Identity crisis - it thinks it's a camel!
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Is it just you in the driving seat Simon ? If it is, make a resolution to join a slimming club
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Simon,
Not an uncommon problem, these older Citroens are a little "animal like" and need a few seconds to wake in the morning.
Can be a simple/cheap repair or nearer £150 depending on the fault.
Assuming your mail address is valid look in your inbox for a list of ideas and maintenance tips I've just sent.
David.
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Good man, David - was I right?
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Yes Chris.
Either a little lubrication then working through the height positions a few times or failing that a new front corrector which I wouldn't call cheap. I would budget up to £150 (some folks will be much cheaper) for someone to do it and allow for difficult pipework connections plus some more fluid and bleeding.
This assumes the system has been correctly maintained in the past (fluid/filters) and that nothing has been caught/damaged underneath.
David
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But given how long they last, even 150 is fair enough... I wouldn't scrap my BX (value 300 quid) for that. And a 93 Xantia won't have rust on it yet. My local Citroen specialist did this for a friend of mine for under 100 (according to my friend - the owner not always being the most reliable source of information, of course). But then he has the "Citroens: what's to go wrong?" attitude of the true enthusiast.
Chris
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The height corrector is about £75 from Andyspares mail order (inc p&p). If someone was really keen, and there were no seized connections, £100 all in is just possible.
More easily possible with a second hand corrector!
Yes of course it's worth it for such a useful car. That is assuming this is a fault rather than just a character of the first 20 secs after starting. Actually I don't care how they rise as long as they do and then travel well. I've seen so many variations in the behaviour.
Funnily enough just met a Xantia on the way down the road (bumpy Fen) this morning. It was travelling in a series of kangaroo hops and you could see all the gas had gone from the front spheres.
I thought surely the guy must think it's not how it should be. Quick change of front spheres would be the best value £70 he'd spent.
David
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Hi all,
Thanks for your responses. The car runs fine once up, it's just that we actually have 2 Xantia TDs (His 'n' Hers - quite sad), one rises front first, the other rear.
I'll give the Citroenaerobics a go, else i'll not worry about it too much, certainly not until I've sold my Audi (100, '92 2.8 V6 in good condition if anyone wants one)
Typo on my email address, it should read simon.collier@xansa.com
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Simon,
I've re-sent the info but you are right not to worry if it is just a start-up character.
David
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Simon Collier wrote:
The car runs fine once up, it's
> just that we actually have 2 Xantia TDs (His 'n' Hers - quite
> sad), one rises front first, the other rear.
>
Sounds interesting, Simon. Try parking one behind t'other and see if you end up with an extra Saxo!
Ian
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Should rise front first (actually it should rise evenly, but they never do). Sounds like a sticky front height corrector, which could be solved by a session of Citroaerobics - up and down through the full range of movement a few times. It could also be knackered, but it's a cheap part so do not despair. David W will confirm or blow me out of the water - do Xantias have the Mcpherson struts like the BX? They can stick when worn.
Just make sure that when you set off the front actually has risen. I saw a BX on the motorway a while back with the front end completely down and the back end "normal". Must have been a nightmare to drive, and very dangerous. Given how wonderful the ride is normally, you'd think people would notice.
Chris
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Oh dear. Mine rises rear first, not really thought too much about it. Is it possible that this could be due to the rear unit thingy you mention being replaced last year, and the front, well, before I bought the car. Interestingly, the rear also falls first when I park it, it doesn't have the non-return valve (1993).
But then it's working OK so far as I can tell. Until it sits down and refuses to get up, I think I'll stop worrying....
Lee.
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1) Lee, as I said earlier....
>just a character of the first 20 secs after starting. Actually I don't care how they rise as long as they do and then travel well. I've seen so many variations in the behaviour.
So no need to stress.
2) Sorry Simon C your e-mail address wasn't valid so my info to you was returned undelivered.
David
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Thanks David, your advice and expertise much appreciated, as usual.
Lee.
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