My Citroen Xantia keeps bouncing in front side it bounces only in a very bad road what could be the problem .

samuel, December 2009

citroen xantias don't have springs or shock absorbers they have struts and spheres all the springing and damping action is done by the sphere, and the struts filled with L H M fluid maintains the correct suspension height via the height correctors, when changing the spheres best do them all at the same time including the accumalator sphere and depending on model any anti-sink spheres the L H M fluid should be changed every 2 years and the filters cleaned ,if the suspension is left to get to hard damage will occur to the struts and if the accumalator sphere is neglected then premature pump failure will occur,as the accumalator sphere is a reserve of pressure to stop the pump working to hard invest in a haynes manual as it will give you all the correct procedures including the depressurising procedure which varies according to model

bob k, January 2010

Sounds like new suspension spheres required.Not a difficult job to do,simply de-presuriise the suspension(put it on the lowest setting with the engine running) When fully lowered turn off the engine.Undo the spheres with a strong chain wrench or strap wrench.Screw the new ones on. Select normal suspension height. Start the engine. Waite for the car to rise. JOB DONE!

Stripey Mike, December 2009

if the suspension has gone hard on a citroen xantia, it will most likely need new suspension spheres,this is because the nitrogen gas has leaked passed the internal diaghram & it will be using just the fluid which makes the suspension feel hard because fluid isn't compressable.

jim, December 2009

Sounds like the shock absorbers have gone.
When stationary, and you push down hard over the front wheel, (On the wing) then release. How many times does it "bounce" before it settles? If more than a couple, get it fixed, pretty damn quick,as the handling of the vehicle is compromised

Chumley, December 2009

Road vehicles have springs to give a more comfortable ride but the springs need to be dampened to stop too much bouncing around - Shock Absorbers are used to dampen the vibrations - they age and need replacing from time to time.

Peccavi, December 2009