good evening, wondering if any of you knowledgeable folks could help with a suspension problem im having on a '97 citroen xantia 1.9td. basically the front or rear suspension will behave randomly. the car has just had it's accumulator sphere replaced, and the lhm fluid replaced. i have checked the white plastic clips are present on the linkages and heavily lubricated the linkages.
i have taken the following notes and measurements on the suspensions settings and behaviour, ive referred to the settings as 1,2,3,4 with 1 being the lowest setting and 4 the highest.
from starting the car and putting it on setting one, both the front and rear suspension sits down correctly and measures, front 31cm from arch to wheel centre approx, rear 24.5cm approx
then put it to setting 2 (normal ride height) the rear rises up but the front stays down, front 31cm, rear 32cm
then setting 3, car sits up properly both front and back nice and level, front 40.5 rear 42.5
then setting 4, rear stays at 42.5 front rises to 45cm
thats what happens when you go through the settings,
if you go back to setting 1 (lowest) then, setting 2 it behaves as above, if you then go to setting 3, wait for the stop light to go out then put it straight back to setting 2 then the front rises to the normal ride height along with the rear and measures front 38.5 rear 38.5cm
if you go from setting 4 (highest) to setting 3 then the front drops down to the bump stops and the rear sticks up on high.
if you just set it to normal height then the rear works properly and if you drive carefully down the road a few metres the front end then sits up properly, but won't do it if you rev the engine stationary.
the fluid level shows up to the top of the filter in the reservoir when the suspension is on lowest which i believe should be enough fluid. i have tried to bleed the system by doing the following, set to highest, hold revs at 2.5k and undo bleed screw half turn, get a whistling leave it undone a minute then tighten back up, is this correct or should i be waiting for fluid to be expelled or is there another method? there are no visible leaks in the system and i have checked carefully so am now lost as to the cause.
and another minor problem, the car can be difficult to start when warm, it starts perfect from cold but turns over alot when warm, any ideas?
any help would be gratefully received the car is going to france 2mrw and although the problem aren't going to stop that id like to fix them 1st if possible
cheers
chris
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"i have tried to bleed the system by doing the following, set to highest, hold revs at 2.5k and undo bleed screw half turn, get a whistling leave it undone a minute then tighten back up,"
Not sure about the rest but that sounds an odd thing to do. I would reckon that you would only undo the bleed screw when suspension is at lowest setting. Have you tried "Cit-aeroobics" - raising and lowering suspension from highest to lowest without bleed screw loosened? this should drive out any air in the system.
Also, when you say that "front or rear suspension will behave randomly" does it behave well when being driven?? If there are no problems when being driven I would leave well alone - you don't say if it misbehaves when driven.
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Phil
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when it's been driven the car is fine, the suspension rises to normal ride height and the ride is fine, just can't understand why it won't rise at the front on startup, instead of having to wait till you reach the end of our close.
bleeding method was suggested by a specialist
chris
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Chris,
I would love to pretend I was an expert - but I'm not. I suspect that Richard W will be along shortly to give "real" advice.
However, sounds a bit like a front height corrector fault - are you sure that linkage to it is working freely?
If Richard is not along shortly try your Q on
www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/viewforum.php?f=3&s...8
If you have to service the front height corrector, or there is a fault with it, have a look here
www.geocities.com/citroen_bx/FAQ/faq_sus_003.html
Yep, I know it's about BXs but suspension is very similar.
Have a browse
www.geocities.com/citroen_bx/FAQ/faq_sus_001.html
Sorry can't help further,
Regards
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Phil
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Oops, Just realised that you already know about Frenchcarforum! Found your Q there!
Good luck!
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Phil
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The first thing I would do is check the fluid level. I am not sure from your descripton that it is correct. Without checking on mine, it seems too low. With the suspension setting on high, and the car actually at that setting, and the engine running, the red indicator disc visible through the clear dome in the reservoir should be between the two red lines marked on the dome. Ignore the brass disc below the red one. The reservoir has plenty of capacity to allow for overfilling.
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not sure the dome works, the red marker always seems to be above the two rings on any setting. id say there is about 2cm from the top of the fluid to the top of the resevoir so it is quite full so im not sure it's too low
chris
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I've had the float which lifts the marker stick in its tube. I've managed to persuade it to act correctly by raising the suspension to max height to lower the fluid level, unclipping the pipe/filter block assemby and giving it a bit of friendly persuasion with a meat hammer!
Is your 2cm at normal ride height or at maximum?
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mmm can't remembe, may try just filling the resevoir to the brim then do citarobics the excess will find it's way out im sure
chris
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