Another "speared" Xantia strut top...Check YOURS!

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 07 Aug 2007, 14:50

Citroen Xantia Turbo Diesel Spares or Repair 1995 ebay item number: 190138727987

Cheap car for someone if they don't mind undertaking the simple fix...
Mind, no doubt there'll be another one on ebay with a bent bonnet along shortly...

Andrew

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 29 May 2008, 14:40

GODAMMIT!!

Who was saying Activa struts don't fail?

This sight greeted me this lunchtime when I was about to go on a mosey out:

BOOHOOO, BOOHOOO...

Seriously, does anyone have a spare black bonnet?

Check yours NOW!!

Andrew

jgra1 · Unread post by **jgra1** » 29 May 2008, 16:32

blimey, almost a year between your posts Andrew !

sorry mate

ACTIVE8 · Unread post by **ACTIVE8** » 29 May 2008, 16:44

andmcit wrote:GODAMMIT!!

Who was saying Activa struts don't fail?

This sight greeted me this lunchtime when I was about to go on a mosey out:

BOOHOOO, BOOHOOO...

Seriously, does anyone have a spare black bonnet?
Check yours NOW!!

Andrew

Hi Andrew sorry to hear the bad news!

Before this happened did the car feel any different?

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 29 May 2008, 17:39

Ironic it should happen to you Andrew. I see the Hydractive ECU is located in an 'interesting place'

what's the story there? If you get really desperate you are welcome to the red bonnet on my spares Activa

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 29 May 2008, 18:02

The irony certainly isn't lost on me here considering I've become so
neurotic of this, my main Xantia gripe/pet hate. This only makes my
feelings about the sh!t and frankly, very dangerous design even more
intense...

I've only had this Activa a short while and not had the time spare
to properly check it through and fix everything I want - hence the
trial ECU.

The car drove great this morning and has a near new MOT!

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 29 May 2008, 18:18

I've had a very close look at the offending 'sphere bracket' and am actually
quite concerned about my other Xantiae as this has no external visible
indication of an imminent failure! NO crustiness on the underside or
distortion of the collar allowing droopy gaiters and the sphere is 100% too.

Complete removal/examination looks like the only precaution for this. I'll
take loads of pictures of this one as well as the 'fix'.

Andrew

vince · Unread post by **vince** » 29 May 2008, 18:56

sounds to me that the only way to avoid this is to fit new ones and then waterproof them.

ACTIVE8 · Unread post by **ACTIVE8** » 29 May 2008, 19:58

Where these strut tops designed by somebody in France on work experience or something, because such a bad design I.E from the durability point of view is frankly amazing.

AndersDK · Unread post by **AndersDK** » 29 May 2008, 21:15

Rumors are that TÜV are trying to get XM and Xantia off the roads for good in Germany. Also in Austria there is something going as well on this issue.

Think about a failing strut on a free Autobahn speed at 150-180kmh (95-115mph).
No - not the driver himself - all the other cars involved

Problem is not neglect of service - but a hidden failed strut because you really need to remove it for a sure inspection.

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 29 May 2008, 21:18

No fix possible tonight as the weather's reverted back to it's lousy setting!

Can anyone check out the part number for an Activa offside sphere
bracket and see if it cross references with a S2 VSX/Exclusive one
please!?

I only know the VSX/Exclusive one I have available for fitment was off a
late car (possibly a s2) - registration date for my Activa is 22 03 1996.
are there any significant changes on the VSX/Exclusive/Activa tops?
Or put another way, can I fit the Exclusive top to my broken Activa?

Andrew

vince · Unread post by **vince** » 29 May 2008, 21:30

I cant find anything on the net about the TUV trying to get rid of Xantias etc?

I spoke to my mate Chris at Citroen today who has been in the workshop for 12 years + and also i have had a trawl through the net. Chris has never come across this speared problem ever and was surprised to here this, also there doesnt seem to be a reference to this being a common problem on Xantias anywhere but on here.

My question is.....how common is this problem really? Does it affect cars made between certain dates?

Everyone seems to rave about Xantias being great, but not many seem to share this experience......?

Make me feel better people as im shopping for one of these

AndersDK · Unread post by **AndersDK** » 29 May 2008, 21:40

It affects all models all years - as its the same type. Dont think you can find anything conclusive on the web - except in Austria. Here the national Citroen dealers have downrated their pricetags on replacement brackets.

Here are the 3 main types listed Andrew, please better find the correct ones yourself. Only Mk2's are listed.

30/04/08 0291 03 4345 01 FRONT SUSPENSION CYLINDER SPHERE WITHOUT HYDRACTIVE SUSPENSION
5271 E1 SPHERE BRACKET LEFT
- WITHOUT HYDRACTIVE SUSPENSION UNTIL RPO No. 08208
5271 F5 LEFT
- WITHOUT HYDRACTIVE SUSPENSION SINCE RPO No. 08209 UNTIL RPO No. 08518
5271 E1 LEFT
- WITHOUT HYDRACTIVE SUSPENSION AND - SINCE RPO No. 08519
5271 E4 RIGHT
- WITHOUT HYDRACTIVE SUSPENSION UNTIL RPO No. 08208
5271 F6 RIGHT
- WITHOUT HYDRACTIVE SUSPENSION SINCE RPO No. 08209 UNTIL RPO No. 08518
5271 E4 RIGHT
- WITHOUT HYDRACTIVE SUSPENSION AND - SINCE RPO No. 08519

30/04/08 0291 03 4345 05 FRONT SUSPENSION CYLINDER SPHERE HYDRACTIVE SUSPENSION AND W/O ACTIVE ANTI-ROLL
5271 E2 SPHERE BRACKET LEFT
- HYDRACTIVE SUSPENSION AND W/O ACTIVE ANTI-ROLL UNTIL RPO No. 08056 EXCEPT INJECTION ES9J4
5271 F0 LEFT
- HYDRACTIVE SUSPENSION AND W/O ACTIVE ANTI-ROLL SINCE RPO No. 08057 EXCEPT INJECTION ES9J4
5271 E3 LEFT
- INJECTION ES9J4 AND HYDRACTIVE SUSPENSION AND W/O ACTIVE ANTI-ROLL UNTIL RPO No. 08056
5271 F2 LEFT
- INJECTION ES9J4 AND HYDRACTIVE SUSPENSION AND W/O ACTIVE ANTI-ROLL SINCE RPO No. 08057
5271 E5 RIGHT
- HYDRACTIVE SUSPENSION AND W/O ACTIVE ANTI-ROLL UNTIL RPO No. 08056 EXCEPT INJECTION ES9J4
5271 F1 RIGHT
- HYDRACTIVE SUSPENSION AND W/O ACTIVE ANTI-ROLL SINCE RPO No. 08057 EXCEPT INJECTION ES9J4
5271 E6 RIGHT
- INJECTION ES9J4 AND HYDRACTIVE SUSPENSION AND W/O ACTIVE ANTI-ROLL UNTIL RPO No. 08056
5271 F3 RIGHT
- INJECTION ES9J4 AND HYDRACTIVE SUSPENSION AND W/O ACTIVE ANTI-ROLL SINCE RPO No. 08057

30/04/08 0291 03 4345 10 FRONT SUSPENSION CYLINDER SPHERE HYDRACTIVE SUSPENSION AND WITH ACTIVE ANTI-ROLL
5271 E2 SPHERE BRACKET LEFT
- HYDRACTIVE SUSPENSION AND WITH ACTIVE ANTI-ROLL UNTIL RPO No. 08056 EXCEPT INJECTION ES9J4
5271 F0 LEFT
- HYDRACTIVE SUSPENSION AND WITH ACTIVE ANTI-ROLL SINCE RPO No. 08057 EXCEPT INJECTION ES9J4
5271 E3 LEFT
- INJECTION ES9J4 AND HYDRACTIVE SUSPENSION AND WITH ACTIVE ANTI-ROLL UNTIL RPO No. 08056
5271 F2 LEFT
- INJECTION ES9J4 AND HYDRACTIVE SUSPENSION AND WITH ACTIVE ANTI-ROLL SINCE RPO No. 08057
5271 E5 RIGHT
- HYDRACTIVE SUSPENSION AND WITH ACTIVE ANTI-ROLL UNTIL RPO No. 08056 EXCEPT INJECTION ES9J4
5271 F1 RIGHT
- HYDRACTIVE SUSPENSION AND WITH ACTIVE ANTI-ROLL SINCE RPO No. 08057 EXCEPT INJECTION ES9J4
5271 E6 RIGHT
- INJECTION ES9J4 AND HYDRACTIVE SUSPENSION AND WITH ACTIVE ANTI-ROLL UNTIL RPO No. 08056
5271 F3 RIGHT
- INJECTION ES9J4 AND HYDRACTIVE SUSPENSION AND WITH ACTIVE ANTI-ROLL SINCE RPO No. 080

AndersDK · Unread post by **AndersDK** » 29 May 2008, 21:50

And here are the Mk1 types listed to complete a full listing of all possible Xantia sphere bracket types.
Hope this will make this long thread even more valuable for later reference.

28/02/08 0290 03 4345 10 FRONT SUSPENSION CYLINDER SPHERE
NOTE: VEHICLE UP TO OPR 06610 TAKE ALSO 5271 63 (01)
5271 C0 NFP SPHERE BRACKET LEFT
- EXCEPT POWER STEERING + 5271 92 (01)
5271 E1 LEFT
- POWER STEERING AND WITHOUT HYDRACTIVE SUSPENSION (+ 5271 92 (01) UP TO 7244)
5271 E2 LEFT
- POWER STEERING AND HYDRACTIVE SUSPENSION + 5271 92 (01) TO O 6610
- POWER STEERING AND HYDRACTIVE SUSPENSION EXCEPT INJECTION ES9J4 + 5271 92 (01) TO O 7244
5271 E3 LEFT
- INJECTION ES9J4 AND POWER STEERING AND HYDRACTIVE SUSPENSION
5271 C1 NFP RIGHT
- EXCEPT POWER STEERING + 5271 92 (01)
5271 E4 RIGHT
- POWER STEERING AND WITHOUT HYDRACTIVE SUSPENSION + 5271 92 (01) TO O 7244
5271 E5 RIGHT
- POWER STEERING AND HYDRACTIVE SUSPENSION (+ 5271 92 (01) TO O 7244)
- POWER STEERING AND HYDRACTIVE SUSPENSION EXCEPT INJECTION ES9J4
5271 E6 RIGHT
- INJECTION ES9J4 AND POWER STEERING AND HYDRACTIVE SUSPENSION

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 29 May 2008, 23:02

Thanks for the listing Anders - useful reference for sure.

I can only go by personal experience on failures of the strut top,
and have seen firsthand 3 fail (one an Xm) and caught and changed
at least somewhere around a dozen or so of Xm's and Xantiae...

The sad fact is, as these cars aren't valuable in the way a silly German
badged equivalent is, when a strut top fails on one, it goes straight for
scrap or it turns up on ebay as is or being broken for spares.

I used to see quite a few on ebay, but as scrap value is off the scale
now, it's usually weigh in time now!!

Andrew