suspension problems for citroen xantia?

removing the spheres can be a big problem unless you use a wrench that is man enough for the job, a strap wrench may not be suitable as I found when I did the same job last year.
A chain wrench is much better if you can find one. I tried everywhere but was unable to find one-even the hire shops couldn't help me-so I made my own. Using a bicycle chain and a piece of steel pipe about 12" long and with an inside diameter of about 1".
Put the chain down inside the pipe until a loop of 6"dia. can be formed, the other end of the chain can be pressed flat against the outside and secured firmly in position using a jubilee clip. And heh presto a chain wrench and I promise you that NO sphere will be able to resist it!.... I even surprised the staff at the 'scrappy' with how good it was.
Good luck mate! BC

bob chambers
January 2010

sounds like your spheres have lost all the gas, relatively easy to replace they generally only last about 5yrs, front ones easier to replace than rear, i have done many myself, gsf car parts can supply approx £50 pair front and rear would also recommend replacing accumulator and anti sink sphere approx £30/40 each, brought my 96 xantia for £50 6yrs ago cos the guy thought suspension was knackered replaced all of the above for under £200 then had the magic carpet ride back front stil ok but rear wil need replacing again shortly, u will find yr high/low wil stil work even if gas is gone, if u have been drivin the car with no gas in the spheres it can cause the rear arm bushes to wear excessively worth checking these too again relatively easy to replace/repair, any repairs to suspension/hydraulics should be approached with extreme caution as it operates at extreme pressure, consult an expert or haynes manual first. good luck.

cliff
January 2010

suspension spheres are knackered !

rog
December 2009