Suspension - CITROEN XM Internet Reference

Suspension

84 Suspension
84 Suspension
On Hydractive 2 cars, the switch is actually quite useful - handling becomes sharper and there is
improved damping as a result of selecting "Sports" suspension. Ride quality is unaltered. AFAIK on H1
cars, selecting "Sport" ruined the ride.
According to the 97/98 French and Belgian brochures I have, the XM is (was?) still available with
"normal" hydropneumatic suspension on base petrol and diesel models.
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Subject:Suspension question
Arthur is correct as, to an extent, is Andre.
Let's begin with where I believe Andre to be right:-
Points 1 through 5 and 8 are indisputibly correct.
However, if a sphere loses pressure and this is not due to damage, it is because the diaphragm has
become gas permeable. Recharging a sphere therefore serves little purpose other than to line the
pockets of the person doing the recharging. Once the diaphragm has become permeable, no amount of
regassing will cure it. If ride quality has deteriorated to the extent that something must be done, it is
reasonable to assume that the membranes are porous.
However, there is an alternative to replacing the spheres with very costly Citroen "pieces d'origine" -
pattern parts - made to the same standards as the originals but approximately half the price.
Someone mentioned that "Comfort" spheres are available (these are probably pattern parts) - my
understanding is that these convert the sharp handling XM into an ersatz DS - soggy handling becomes
the norm.
Finally, remember that we are not just talking about ride comfort here - there is also the matter of safety
to consider - and a car, any car (including a Citroen) with compromised suspension components is an
accident waiting to happen.
Julian Marsh
http://web.ukonline.co.uk/Members/jr.marsh/index.html
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