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My XM--only one in Louisiana?

Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2024 11:39 am
by bump_drft
I beliveve it's the only one in Louisiana--I had to go to the OMV in Baton Rouge and get them to add it to the database. Here's a photo in the French Quarter

It had Renault Safrane wheel covers when I got it, I've since "upgraded" to the OEM ones.

Re: My XM--only one in Louisiana?

Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2024 7:28 am
by Dieselman
That's what you call individualism.

A uniquely French car in an appropriately French looking surrounding.
Mandarin-Nacre is a good colour for an Xm, especially when in bright sunshine.
Paint the door upright glazing bars in satin black to restore the band of glass look.

One observation, your car appears to be riding too high at the front.
Front: 144mm +10mm/ -7mm, from flat of subframe to the ground.
Rear: 431mm +10mm/-7mm from rear chassis rail behind rear subframe mount, to ground.
A quick check is that the chrome trim line running through the doors and bumper should intersect the front wheel rim, yours looks about 25mm too high.

Lift the car by hand, until it sinks, allow to rise to level, then measure. Ensure the linkage pivot and swivels are well greased.
The adjustment is by the clamp round the anti-roll bar. Loosen the clamp, manually correct the height, tighten the clamp.
Xm that are left sitting on the bump stops for a long time, with the height selection lever still set to ride height, gradually deform the spring linkage, which then makes the car ride high.
It is good practice to lower the car when leaving a sinker for an extended duration. The linkage is relaxed, the spheres are emptied which extends their life.
The system does take longer to re-pressurise on restart.

Re: My XM--only one in Louisiana?

Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2024 12:17 pm
by bump_drft
Wow thanks for all that! I'll take a look at ride height. It was off in the photo, and the rear sinks rather quickly. I suspect the spheres need refreshing. The car does sit for extended periods of time, and with it's low mileage it clearly sat even before I owned it.

Re: My XM--only one in Louisiana?

Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2024 6:47 am
by Dieselman
It should be obvious, but never go under a hydraulically suspended car without another method of propping the body up. If the hydraulics fail, or are set to low, the car will come down and crush you.

Sphere pressure tables are in the linked thread. viewtopic.php?f=7&t=10270
Ask if you have queries.

As for refilling them, there are a couple of options, either make/find a refilling rig, or use screw in valves.
It's useful to know the gas pressure in the sphere both before and after refilling.

See thread. viewtopic.php?p=123770

Re: My XM--only one in Louisiana?

Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2024 2:17 pm
by bump_drft
The road trip continues--up the coast to Monterey for a single night at Car Week. Those hotel rates were outrageous!

People were surprised to see it out there.

Re: My XM--only one in Louisiana?

Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2024 4:15 pm
by Dieselman
I bet they were surprised, though the car looks great. I love terrible cars too...especially in Mandarin-Nacre.

I wouldn't think the winter tyres are adding to the quiet ambience of the Xm.

We do have another member (citroenfa) from Guadalupe, Cal. Well versed on Citroen hydraulics. He's not been on here for a while, but is well known in Citroen circles.

Re: My XM--only one in Louisiana?

Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2024 5:49 pm
by bump_drft
They're Vredestein all-seasons, though snow-rated.

Re: My XM--only one in Louisiana?

Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2024 6:51 am
by Dieselman
Vredestein all weather tyres are very good, but unless you expect to encounter significant snow probably not necessary in an Xm. The supple suspension allows Citroens to ride up onto snow much more readily than stiffer, metal sprung cars.

Due to the hydraulic fluid transfer when a wheel hits a bump the load the wheel is subjected to is transferred to the opposite wheel, so each one has 50% loading.

Rwd cars with stiff suspension need Winter tyres due to each wheel not being able to ride up onto the snow, but an Xm will normally continue through snow on full summer tyres.
In the Uk there is a steep and winding road called Hardknott pass. I have known a Mercedes Sl55k was unable to drive up it in summer, not because of lack of power, but due to lack of axle articulation the tyres kept loosing grip. I think it had stiffer anti-roll bars fitted.
I have been up it several times including in a fully loaded (think family camping holiday) 1220cc Citroen Gs estate, including having to stop on one of the hairpin bends due to the camper van in front running out of power.

Road grip is as much to with axle articulation as it is to do with tyre grip.

Re: My XM--only one in Louisiana?

Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2024 1:23 am
by Jan
I have an XM in Maine