Citroen Xantia Activa - suspension query

Citroen Xantia Activa - suspension query

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Discussion

Mikey G

Original Poster:

4,774 posts

247 months

Monday 16th October 2006
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Just bought one fairly cheep for a run around and so far its great!
I cant believe the amount of equipment in this car for the price, and its only done 51k on a P plate.

When i picked it up the owner commented on the time it takes for the stop light to go out and the rate at which the suspension picks up, takes a good 30 seconds, is this long?
I'm looking to change the suspension spheres shortly as the car has done a little towing at some point so maybe worth me doing.

Also i have noticed the car do a little jig as it settles to its ride height, is this normal? i expected it to rise and fall fairly evenly but the car has ended up at a slight angle on occasions.

When driving though it feels great, handles well and the rest of the brakes and steering feel good, so it doesnt feel like the suspension is up to any tricks while driving.
I also learned a valuable lesson when i picked the car up, never drop the ride height to its lowest setting while driving

Now i just need a boost controller hehe

Mikey G

Original Poster:

4,774 posts

247 months

Thursday 19th October 2006
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No one?

simes205

4,649 posts

235 months

Thursday 19th October 2006
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Jackherer on 205GTI drivers might be able to help you.

megamaniac

1,060 posts

223 months

Thursday 19th October 2006
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The laziness in rising is more than likely the main accumulator sphere behind the rad on the pressure regulator.If you pump the suspension up to its highest setting you should be able to hear the regulator click on and off pressure . If you then press the brake pedal repeatedly you should be able to count the amount of times you can quickly depress the pedal before you hear the click .This should be at least 3 times anyless and change the sphere.
The jig as it is rising COULD be the extra spheres that it uses for the sports mode being flat,and refilling as it pumps up.
My suggestion would be to clean the tank filters and put some Genuine citroen hydrarinse in and run it for at least 500 miles before i changed any spheres other than the main accumulator.

combemarshal

2,030 posts

233 months

Thursday 19th October 2006
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Sorry, totaly missed this thread!
have you found here yet? http://z7.invisionfree.com/ActivaNet/
Any way, As said/sugested yourself, I'd swap at least the 5 main Spheres (each corner and the acumulator sphere) There is a place (westreon, or something like that!) that will do all 10 for you for about £250 (I think!) But If you got space to do it, it is dead easy, 5 mins tops each Sphere, just make sure the car it supported, Or better still on a ramp or over a pit.
Get underneath and lube everything up, When I first got mine it tended to dance when sationary, but with more use it soon stopped doing it, they don't like not being used!
I'd fit a boost gauge before the MBC, just so you know whats going on, Mine's running 14psi of boost at the moment, and it goes like HELL, Got over 200BHP on the rolling road last year, and it is running better now, and 2psi higher!

Mikey G

Original Poster:

4,774 posts

247 months

Thursday 19th October 2006
quotequote all
Cheers, just registered on Activanet thumbup

So there is 10 spheres on it then? i only noticed the 3 under the bonnet so assumed there was 5.

combemarshal

2,030 posts

233 months

Friday 20th October 2006
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Nope, The Activa needs 10!
1 each corner, Accumulator, Anti sink, Comfort, front Activa, Rear Activa and another one that I can't remember at the moment!! Could be the Hydractive one!?!
I ready to be corrected!
Anyway, they really are Awesome, It is always amusing to leave behind 'Better' cars!!!