After completing a 300 mile journey last week, I stopped for fuel a few miles from home. Starting off from the garage to complete the journey, the rear suspension failed to rise and I had to complete the few miles in a very bumpy fashion.
The ride height adjustment had not been knocked from it's normal position and it failed to lift the rear end in its high position also-even after topping up the reservoir level.
The front of the car will however respond to all the ride height settings and the brakes and power steering are not affected.
Car is a 1999 xantia HdiSx diesel. Any ideas as would really appreciate your time to type them out!

bob chambers, December 2009

I've had this same problem. If you can get under the rear of the car to were the valve is(not too sure on the proper name) they should be a 2.5cm long and about 4mm wide white plastic clip, this had uncliped from a small metal ball like thing on the valve, just prize the valve towards the rear of the car and clip it back in. good luck.

scott, January 2010

i have had the same prob on my 96 xantia, first thing i would look at is the rear height corrector which is located approx mid rear underside just near the anti sink sphere, there is a linkage from yr high/low lever to this, these have a tendancy to stick/seize with road salt and age the linkage is plastic and can become brittle and break hence the rear dropping and not raising, i would suggest to spray the corrector with wd40 or similar penetrating fluid and leave overnite,try to move the arm manually to un.seize it replace the linkage with new and u may be good to go, as i said this was the case for mine and a relatively inexpensive to fix (about £15) dealer part only. wotever way u intend to tackle this (try to get the back end up on some ramps if poss) be extremely careful chock the front wheels securely. hope this info helps good luck.

cliff, January 2010

had the same problem found the ball joint on the rear hight adjuster had seized popped off. easy job to clean and refit

car back to normal

A Hooper, January 2010

I've encountered the same problem today. But it looks like it's a matter of getting the correctors moved from it's possibly seixed up position.

Would be very nice if someone has actually encounbtered and fixed this problem would describe the triels and tribulations to get there.

The wearther here in Norway does not help either with up to -13 deg C!

Merry Christmas!

Nic

Lars Solem, December 2009

thanks for that bob k, i will do as you suggest as soon as this weather will allow me to climb under the car without getting soaking wet and frozen! best wises bob c

bob chambers, December 2009

try putting it on maximum height then return it to normal the rear height corrector has a habit of seizing up will need a good dousing with w d 40 also check security of height corrector they have been known to come loose

bob k, December 2009