Xantia rear height adjuster - no info in haynes manual

. (-@-.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

Lift back of car, support PROPERLY, loosen/adjust/tighten clamp for height corrector link rod onto anti-roll bar, lower car, uppy-downy-normal, bounce, settle, measure.

Repeat.

It's one of those jobs that's SOOO much easier with a wheels-on ramp.

. (-@-.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

At the very least.

Once you find the anti-roll bar and height-corrector. It may be a bit hidden behind exhaust etc.

Do it ON the ramp - the adjustment is a trial and error thing. It really needs to be a "weight-on-wheels" ramp.

raise car on suspension, prop with axle stands ?

is that an obvious linkage is it ?

I may just take it in to one of my local citroen specialists, bung them a tenner to stick it on a 4 post lift and measure it before I proceed.

2 x 2 ton stands ought to be enough.

ok, will have a gander later.

like a 4 post lift ?

as opposed to a 2 post lift ? problem is, I have nowhere flat to check the measurements. everywhere I have access to is angled for shedding rainwater or likely to have a jobsworth chase me off.

. (-@-.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

I'm thinking about working space as much as anything. I hate grovelling in gravel.

I've seen four-post lifts that have arms to support the body, too. And two- post ones that take the weight on the wheels.

I shouldn't think a slight slope will matter especially if it's a trial and error thing. I thought my HBOL had instructions for adjusting it however it's in the garage at the mo, I'll have a look when I move the car later this evening.

Malc ( snipped-for-privacy@lightindigooverthere.co.uk) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

As long as it's flat, it doesn't matter if it isn't "flat-flat", IYSWIM.

It can be 45deg, if you like, and if your axle stands are good enough, as long as it's not got big lumps in it.

Thinking about it, it's one time a big set of drive-on ramps is useful.

Adrian ( snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

Oh, yes... BUT IF YOU DO...

IMPORTANT - SAFETY RELATED...

Do NOT forget that the handbrake works on the front wheels, and that the suspension geometry means that the rear wheels move forwards and backwards as the suspension height changes.

PLEASE DO NOT DROP YOUR CAR OFF THE RAMPS ONTO YOUR HEAD.

And, if you do, don't come running to me for sympathy, tea and biccies. You have been warned.

LOL !

you've obviously never _actually_ *used* a 4 post lift, have you ?

if you had, or had even seen one being used, you wouldn't have posted that message ;-)

. (-@-.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

Yes, thank you.

By "drive-on ramps" I was referring to this sort of thing :-

not

You should be able to adjust the height happily on either of them - with that safety caveat on either. Stick it on full high on the workshop ones, back it all the way to the end, and then drop it flat, and it's still gonna catch you by surprise.

Wheelbase is longest when the suspension's flat.

These (and, yes, I can count past two to four)

are no use for adjusting heights - unless you enjoy standing around winding the thing up and down umpteen times.

oh, I thought you were on about "weight-on-wheels" in relation to me taking it in to a garage and your "I've seen four-post lifts that have arms to support the body, too. And two- post ones that take the weight on the wheels" that you posted before ?

I'd really like to see you get a xantia* up on 4 of those "5000lb" ramps. all 4 wheels on all 4 ramps ? with the tyres sat where those "5000lb" ramps have anti roll devices ? and able to roll off ? because of the handbrake arrangement ? /strokes chin/ LOL

*any car

. (-@-.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

I've got a large pair (fnarr) I used to use regularly under a CX, thanks. You're welcome to borrow 'em if you're near the NW M25.

Why four wheels? You only need get the rear up if you're only adjusting the rear. There's no front-to-rear "must-keep-it-level-with-horizon" levelling, y'know.

Well blow me with a big blowy thing. You're right it says you need special tools and what have you. I'd give up right now. No way can a home mechanic do this job. Not on your nelly. It's obviously completely impossible.

Malc ( snipped-for-privacy@lightindigooverthere.co.uk) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

Would that special tool be "A Credit Card"?

"Do it ON the ramp - the adjustment is a trial and error thing. It really needs to be a "weight-on-wheels" ramp."

avoids spin:

where do you take your datum for the +/- 136mm measurement if the rear has it's arse in the end and there's no flat spot under the point you're suppsed to measure from ?

HBOL ?

the manual I have in front of me: quote:

"Adjustment

15 if the ride height proves to be incorrect, and adjustment is required, the task should be referred to a citroen dealer, as special setting tools are required to complete the operation successfully"

what does it say in your manual and what is your advice ?

obviously, the Paynes manual is, as usual, cryptic to say the least and adrian is being ..... adrian.

Haynes Book Of Lies

Same as yours. I'd do what Adrian suggests which is to get underneath and have a good look then tweak it. I've not had a problem with mine so the usual disclaimers apply.

The height on a Xantia can be adjusted but as others have already said, this is only possible on a flat ramp. The reasons for this are 1) you DO need the weight on all four wheels, 2) You need to be able to move the height up and down without the risk of being squashed (yes this has happened) 3) The car needs to be level.

To set the rear height. Have the car on a ramp with engine running At the rear height corrector you will find a plastic link, this links the height corrector to the anti roll bar link On the anti roll bar link there is a M7 bolt (11MM head), loosen this bolt and make sure that the clamp can rotate on the anti roll bar. Using a screwdriver, lever the peg in the middle of the height corrector back and forth, (Towards the rear bumper to go down and forward to go up) When the car is at the correct height, the anti roll bar adjustment clamp will have followed it to the correct position. Tighten the anti roll bar clamp (M7 bolt)

I cant remember what the height is, but the measurment is taken from the rear of the back sub-frame mount.

It's worth pointing out that the height corrector will never go out of adjustment on its own, unless someone has played with it, you may be needing a new one.

Trust me I have fitted loads of rear height correctors on Xantia's, If you have a Xantia you will need one, it's not a question of IF it's a question of WHEN !!!!

Check out

for piccies.

Regards. Slim.

Slim ( snipped-for-privacy@tesco.net) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

Side-to-side, but front-to-rear's not so important. As long as you've got some idea of "ground level" and know what the car's true "vertical" is. Easy enough with the back wheels on a pair of ramps. - just stand back and look at it, it's obvious enough.