Rear Suspension fail!

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stevestix8
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Rear Suspension fail!

Post by stevestix8 »

Hi all,

Been a while since I posted, still loving my S reg Xantia H.D.i. (21yr old this year).

Brief back story:

It passed the M.O.T. fist time last year, I put new discs and pads on it before, aswell as I changed all the filters and oil. It passed the new emissions test with a score of 1.1! Great car.

In the last week I have had several 'things' happen.

Firstly the exhaust clamp fell off, i found it on the side of the road, and it was old and rusted. So ordered new clamp and fitted, exhaust sounds better than it did before. Problem fixed.

Secondly, I had a slow leak from one of the front tyres, so I got new tyre fitted today. Problem solved.

Then today driving back the backend sank down. I assumed it was a temporary blip and adjusted the height to full up and waited but nothing happened. I tried it full down then normal up and the front adjusts as it should but the backend stays sank down. I have looked underneath for leaks and there is no sign of it losing LHM, I checked the LHM levels under the bonnet and the resevoir seems full and has not lost any LHM.

The rear spheres were changed for new just over a year ago and have been fine since.

Bit baffled as to whats happened and what is the fix? Are these problems connected or is it all random?

Thanks for any help,

Steve Powell
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Stickyfinger
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Re: Rear Suspension fail!

Post by Stickyfinger »

Dog Bone between the roll bar and height selector would be the first look.

ALWAYS use axle stands
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Re: Rear Suspension fail!

Post by xantia_v6 »

Stickyfinger wrote: 12 Sep 2019, 19:54 Dog Bone between the roll bar and height selector would be the first look.

ALWAYS use axle stands
Agreed. You will find lots of old posts if you search the forum for dogbone, e.g.: viewtopic.php?t=34592
stevestix8
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Re: Rear Suspension fail!

Post by stevestix8 »

Nice one Stickyfingers, its the Dogbone!

Have replaced it before maybe 7-8 yrs ago, you right it did the same then.

Will replace with new, and hope that bad things only come in 3's.

Cheers,

Steve
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Re: Rear Suspension fail!

Post by Stickyfinger »

I like the easy ones....
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Re: Rear Suspension fail!

Post by stevestix8 »

Thanks for responses, it is simple but not that simple.

Have now got under my Xantia and yep the dogbone is missing, but also the 2nd nipple on the arm of the clamp (Rear height corrector link rod clamp and arm) is also missing, snapped off probably.

Part is detailed as Part number 4 in the following detail:
8405c812fa8785b94fc712bb85db96b7.jpg
I also have some pics of it in place and off the car.
thumbnail.jpg
20190923_181508.jpg
20190923_181553.jpg
Have been trying to source the part new from anywhere, not having much luck.

Have found a Mk2 Xantia being broken near Cheltenham, so can prob get part 2nd hand if i have to.

Anyone know someone who has 1?

Thanks for any help,

Steve
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Re: Rear Suspension fail!

Post by Stickyfinger »

I have a 21mm one

What "Type" of Xantia is being broken ?
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Re: Rear Suspension fail!

Post by stevestix8 »

Hi Stickyfinger,

Have just measured the clamp and arm I took off my car and it is 21mm internal width, what condition is yours? Can I buy yours from you?

The 2 Xantias being broken I have found so far are:

https://www.carbreakers-uk.com/view-item.asp?id=7221

https://www.carbreakers-uk.com/view-item.asp?id=364

Thanks,

Steve
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Re: Rear Suspension fail!

Post by xantia_v6 »

I believe that breakage of the height corrector arm may be associated with the cradle mechanism that holds the height corrector valve being seized (which is very common at the rear end of Xantias).
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Re: Rear Suspension fail!

Post by Stickyfinger »

Hi, brand new in the bag.

Do you know the second car ? does it have the valve blocks on it ?

Image
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Re: Rear Suspension fail!

Post by xantia_v6 »

Only late Exclusive spec cars have the modified hydractive blocks. These cars will all have body-colour painted bumpers and alloy wheels.
stevestix8
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x 7
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Re: Rear Suspension fail!

Post by stevestix8 »

Hi Again,

Sticky: Where did you get a brand new in the bag clamp and arm from?

Can I order 1? Or can you sell me yours?

I don't know much about that Xantia other than to say it in Cheltenham (havent called number yet, am trying to source new if poss) and the height looks good in those pics so am assuming it has most suspension parts.

Cheers for responses, you right about the cradle mechanism, it was a bit stiff, was planning to wirebrush the area and wd40 the cradle to improve the mechanism, when I fit the clamp.

Steve
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Re: Rear Suspension fail!

Post by myglaren »

There is a guide to refurbishing the height correctors here.
Note that although it has my name on it, I only tidied it up, the actual work was done mainly by our late member citronut.
stevestix8
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Re: Rear Suspension fail!

Post by stevestix8 »

Thanks all for any advice.

We managed to find a Xantia being scrapped for parts in North Wales, and have received a box of bits for £20, including 3 dog bones & rear clamps, and the front and rear cradles, all in good condition.

Have now fitted the new dogbone & clamp and the ride height on the back adjusted nicely.

It passed the M.O.T. again the other day, Mot'd till Nov 2020!

Car running smoothly and the exhaust is sounding better than it ever did.

Nice turning the negative in to positive.

Cheers,

Steve
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