2009 X7 exclusive - suspension?

[GiveMeABreak]

It's not too difficult to replace the LDS tank - but you will need to depressurise , drain and refill the circuit in addition - there are also several tanks depending on build date, so let us know what you are intending to do

[EDC5]

I had to remove the LDS tank to clean the motor brushes out. I took a few pictures here: viewtopic.php?f=22&t=60565&p=581404#p581404

If you've got any questions on removing the LDS tank just let me know.

[rmunns]

Update. My X7 exclusive (i.e. with Hydractive III) has just had an MoT (Contrôle Technique in France) and it has failed on suspension. Car has covered about 140 000 miles equivalent, no idea what work has been done on hydaulics because not much previous-owner infofrmation.
The tester is a nice guy, very helpful and patient with us exPats who struggle with technical french language. He showed me how he tested the suspension - and it was just like in the old days of Triumph Dolomites / Ford Cortinas....... i.e. shove down hard on each corner of the car in turn and watch the bounce. Or, on all four corners in my car, the bounceS! I was always taught the car should rebound just once after being pushed down and released, slowing down on the rebounce. Mine bounced up and down 3, maybe 4 times before settling. He certainly knows the car is hydracgtive.
Does this tell me anything about what is needed to sort out the problem(s)? I need to do enough for it to pass (I have 2 months to get it tested/passed) but I don't want to do any more than I might get away with since I am looking to sell.

[Hell Razor5543]

I am sure that others will be along with more meaningful advise, but I would guess the spheres might need replacing.

[GiveMeABreak]

Update. My X7 exclusive (i.e. with Hydractive III) has just had an MoT (Contrôle Technique in France) and it has failed on suspension. Car has covered about 140 000 miles equivalent, no idea what work has been done on hydaulics because not much previous-owner infofrmation.
The tester is a nice guy, very helpful and patient with us exPats who struggle with technical french language. He showed me how he tested the suspension - and it was just like in the old days of Triumph Dolomites / Ford Cortinas....... i.e. shove down hard on each corner of the car in turn and watch the bounce. Or, on all four corners in my car, the bounceS! I was always taught the car should rebound just once after being pushed down and released, slowing down on the rebounce. Mine bounced up and down 3, maybe 4 times before settling. He certainly knows the car is hydracgtive.
Does this tell me anything about what is needed to sort out the problem(s)? I need to do enough for it to pass (I have 2 months to get it tested/passed) but I don't want to do any more than I might get away with since I am looking to sell.

I don't believe those bounce tests are relevant or indicative of a problem at all to an X7 Hydractive 3 system. I only ever used the bounce test on Hydropneumatic LHM based vehicles.

These later systems can self-level without the engine running for some time after it is unlocked and before the BSI goes back to sleep. I would like to see the evidence / factual basis for a rejection. Unless your car is bouncing along with little suspension I would be highly suspicious. The fact that you have some bounce should confirm some springing - if the spheres were ruptured / punctured then the ride would be rock hard.

[xantia_v6]

I would also be sceptical of the test method used. I have used a couple of CT shops in France, but they both had suspension shaking machines that the Xantia and XM hydractive suspension copes well with.

If you press down on the suspension and release, how many bounces are there? The suspension is probably under-damped by design, so there should be about 1.5 oscillations. You probably need to find out what the official test procedure is in cases where the shop does not have a suspension testing machine.

[myglaren]

Can you compare with a similar C5?

Mine's ancient (2003) and doesn't do that.

[rmunns]

Thanks for your replies. I will trot along to a Citroen specialist tomorrow and ask his opinion. Again. I did take the car to him about 6 weeks ago for his opinion as to the state of the suspension. You might recall that I originally asked members of this forum what they thought about 5 months ago, when I had myself thought things weren't quite right. He said it was fine, so it will be interesting to hear what he says. I'll report back.

[rmunns]

The Citroen specialist examined, did a couple of 'Citrobics' and declared that spheres need replacing. Each corner. He wouldn't be drawn on whether any of the others should be changed. How many spheres are there on these cars (2009 X7 Tourer auto excl.)?

He did, however, agree that the MoT method of testing (shoving down on each corner and waching the rebound) was not really appropriate for the X7.

I am inclined to first try a flush, using Total LDS.......the cheapest I can see is €65 for 5litres. Will 5litres be enough?

As an old school engineer, what serious difficulties will I come across if I change the spheres? I changed all the spheres on 2 Xantias a few years ago - the rear ones were a PITA but otherwise it wasn't too bad a job.

[GiveMeABreak]

You have 7 spheres in total, 4 corner spheres, the front rigidity sphere on the front axle and the 2 rear rigidity spheres on the centre rear axle.

[rmunns]

Thanks again for your kind replies. Just one more thing...... I now intend just renewing the fluid (as much as I can) and see whether that improves the ride. I do find it odd that all four corner spheres would start behaving like this together. It would seem to me, if all 4 wheels are bouncing too much, at the same time, that stretches coincidence a bit far.

[rmunns]

Anyone help with this latest query, please?

[xantia_v6]

What was the question?

[rmunns]

The question was ' do you not think that all 4 spheres getting tired at same time is more than a coincidence?' Hence I'll try just changing the fluid - that is common throughout the system. I have no idea whether it has ever been changed (223000km., 140000miles). I bought car at 196000km so I've only covered 17000 miles or so in 4 years, never changed fluid. So fluid might be 10 years and 140000 miles old.

[GiveMeABreak]

Unless you've had your steering rack, or strut replaced at some point which will necessitate in at least some litres of LDS being replaced - but for that mileage it really should of been replaced by now. The spheres are technically non-rechargeable unlike the older LHM spheres, but have multi layer enhanced diaphragms, so hardly any Nitrogen permeates the membranes and escapes. But for the mileage and if you are keeping her I would treat her to some new spheres if it was me at this stage and a fluid change.