Citroen Xantia - '93 Xantia 1.9 TDI bounces bad

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Fri 8 Oct 2010 21:36
Citroen Xantia - '93 Xantia 1.9 TDI bounces bad - theodorro

Hi there. The problem is that the front of the car bounces violently when driven. I just bought the car and don't know very much about it or about this type of suspension. What could be the problem? The car rises and lowers normally. The spheres are not broken, there's enough LHM in it. Recently I read something about the nitrogen level in the spheres. Could this be the problem for the bouncing - not enough nitrogen? Thanks in advance.

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Fri 8 Oct 2010 22:04
Citroen Xantia - '93 Xantia 1.9 TDI bounces bad - Peter.N.

If its riding at the correct height the most likely problem is that you need new spheres, the front ones are easy to fit and cost about £22.00 each from GSF. If its hydractive there is also a centre sphere which is responsible for the soft ride, not so easy to fit. They loose gas pressure over time which reduces the range of suspension movement.

Edited by Peter.N. on 08/10/2010 at 22:06

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Fri 8 Oct 2010 22:05
Citroen Xantia - '93 Xantia 1.9 TDI bounces bad - Collos25

The car has dependining on model 5 or 6 suspension spheres one on each wheel, one under the bonnet and one under the car in the middle of the back axle(not always fitted )The one under the bonnet is best explained as the multi shock absorber and when it fails you will hear a consistant clicking noise your problem is the front two suspension spheres need replacing.They are not difficult to replace but can often be very tight they can be purchased at GFS or any citroen specialist.I suggest you replace them all while you are at it and also buy some LM fluid at the same time .

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Sat 9 Oct 2010 00:19
Citroen Xantia - '93 Xantia 1.9 TDI bounces bad - theodorro

Thanks for the prompt answer and advice. Will try it soon!

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Sat 9 Oct 2010 02:39
Citroen Xantia - '93 Xantia 1.9 TDI bounces bad - jonlad1974

hi if your going to fit them your self you need to set it to high setting hit the sphere with a hammer then set in low setting a undo so you wont loose a load of fluid

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Sat 9 Oct 2010 10:42
Citroen Xantia - '93 Xantia 1.9 TDI bounces bad - Collos25

Thats rubbish if you do change them yourselve the car needs to be jacked up so that all four wheels are off the ground this eliviates any pressure on the suspension you will not loose any fluid as the system is sealed apart from the filling point under the bonnet.Removing the spheres can be difficult never hit them with a hammer this can damage the thread spray the thread with wd40 wait and use a compression type tool similar to an oil filter remover.

Edited by Andy Bairsto on 09/10/2010 at 10:44

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Sat 9 Oct 2010 11:56
Citroen Xantia - '93 Xantia 1.9 TDI bounces bad - Peter.N.

You ideally need a strong strap wrench, I use one made from motorcycle chain. The front ones are not usually to tight as they are not exposed to the weather, set the suspension on low and allow it to settle, if you don't have a wrench, drive the spheres anti clockwise with a cold chisel in the seam around the centre.

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Sun 10 Oct 2010 10:48
Citroen Xantia - '93 Xantia 1.9 TDI bounces bad - Collos25

Do not hit with a cold chisel,the correct way to release a stuck sphere is to drill it in the middle of the sphere wearing goggles place a bar in the hole and turn.If you put the car on low setting you will never get the jack underneath the correct way is to jack all the car up and let the wheels hang that way there is absolutely no pressure on the suspension and you can easily remove the wheels and cause no damage.

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Sun 10 Oct 2010 15:22
Citroen Xantia - '93 Xantia 1.9 TDI bounces bad - Peter.N.

If you drill it you are going to destroy it anyway so I don't see the reasoning here, I have removed loads with the hammer and chisel method and have been running hydrophumatic Citroens for over 25 years.

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Sun 10 Oct 2010 15:49
Citroen Xantia - '93 Xantia 1.9 TDI bounces bad - Collos25

I'glad you don't work on our xm.

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Mon 11 Oct 2010 12:13
Citroen Xantia - '93 Xantia 1.9 TDI bounces bad - dieselnut

I would agree with Peter except that I leave the suspension set to high, this minimizes the possibility of the suspension cylinder twisting & breaking the high pressure pipe.

Then get it to just move with the chisel, do this to all the suspension spheres that are going to be removed then de-pressurise the system.

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Mon 11 Oct 2010 13:07
Citroen Xantia - '93 Xantia 1.9 TDI bounces bad - Collos25

You do not think having all four wheels hanging as per Citoen workshop instruction is valid you wish to make up your own methods,a cold chisel does not have a place in any part of a Citroen workshop.You either do a job properly or you make a dogs dinner of it take your pick.

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Mon 11 Oct 2010 19:07
Citroen Xantia - '93 Xantia 1.9 TDI bounces bad - dieselnut

I see the Honestjohn back room as a place for ordinary folk to help each other out in the best way they can.

Some people like to get their hands dirty & feel good afterwards at have completed a job they wouldn't have even contemplated until getting advice here & I am one of them.

Others just want an insight into the possible work required so they wont get ripped off by their garage.

If I had a Citroen workshop, I would use the special tool that holds the suspension cylinder to stop it turning together with the special tool to undo the sphere & the car would be on a lift with the wheels hanging, but I only have some level ground, jacks, stands & ramps

Most people who view this site don't have access to all these niceties & have to make do.

They are just trying to save themselves a few bob & get a bit of satisfaction doing it themselves.

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Mon 11 Oct 2010 19:37
Citroen Xantia - '93 Xantia 1.9 TDI bounces bad - Peter.N.

I have managed to keep my XMs and other hydractives running perfectly well for around half a million miles using my 'unorthodox' methods, I wonder if Mr bairsto can better that?

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Mon 11 Oct 2010 20:04
Citroen Xantia - '93 Xantia 1.9 TDI bounces bad - Collos25

Our present xm 1997 2.5 estate has only 730k km on the clock this being our fourth xm the last one had over million km when it finally became to old being 1990 circa.The only time anyone saw the inside of a Citroen main dealers is when the abs unit went a long way from home .Regarding the above work you do not go around hitting things with cold chisels when there is a perfectly safer and easier way to do it but you mend your cars your way and I'll do it the proper way..

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