Some years ago I was asked to write a standard safety warning for people working on hydraulically suspended Citroëns. This followed reports of people being injured or killed when working on Citroëns due to a lack of safety and knowledge on their part.
In the GAFC the post was lost and here it is in a new form. Please read it and take note for when you are working on a Citroën in particular, but also other vehicles.
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Whenever undertaking work on a car, you should always ensure that you have proper safety measures in place before putting any part of your body under the vehicle while it is in a raised position. This is especially important when working on any hydraulically suspended Citroën.
NEVER EVER put any part of your body under a hydraulically suspended Citroën without proper safety measures in place.
When working on a hydraulically suspended Citroën - DS/ID, GS, CX, BX, Xantia, XM, C5 and even the rare Traction Avant Big 6H, you must be aware that the smallest movement of key components such as height correctors may have a large effect on the current height of the suspension. Movements of even 2 mm on a height corrector can have the car crashing to its bump stops in a second. If someone is under the vehicle at the time without proper safety equipment in place, it could be their last movement.
Proper safety equipment includes adequately rated
Improper equipment includes
Ensure you have used the correct points for locating stands under the vehicle you are working on. For example, a CX can easily overbalance if stands are placed under the jacking point.
When lifting a hydraulic Citroen, it is possible to use the vehicle's hydraulic system to lift it to full height and then lower the car onto safety stands. Beware that if for example you support the front end of a vehicle on stands and then lower the suspension, when you start the car and adjust the suspension to a height other than extreme low, the raising of the rear of the vehicle will pivot the front end of the vehicle. Therefore anything or body under the front end of the vehicle may suddenly find itself closer to the underneath of the engine than previously.
Bleeding brakes on some Citroëns will also rob the suspension of pressure, thereby dropping the suspension very rapidly. Trust me, even when the rear of a D is on ramps, the first time you bleed rear brakes it is a surprise!
When placing any car on a 2 post hoist ensure you know the correct locations to place the arms. Front wheel drive vehicles are by design, front heavy and serious consideration needs to be allowed for this to ensure the car does not nose dive from the hoist.
And remember that around the world there have been some unfortunate people who have not heeded warning about ensuring their car (whatever brand) is safe and secure above them before commencing work. One tonne or more of car usually beats 100kg of mechanic. Please do not join this special club.
If you have any doubts about the way you have raised your vehicle from the ground please ask for advice from someone in the know. Better to ask a question than be injured.
This is posted as general advice only and I take no responsibility for your actions or results of them.
In the GAFC the post was lost and here it is in a new form. Please read it and take note for when you are working on a Citroën in particular, but also other vehicles.
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Whenever undertaking work on a car, you should always ensure that you have proper safety measures in place before putting any part of your body under the vehicle while it is in a raised position. This is especially important when working on any hydraulically suspended Citroën.
NEVER EVER put any part of your body under a hydraulically suspended Citroën without proper safety measures in place.
When working on a hydraulically suspended Citroën - DS/ID, GS, CX, BX, Xantia, XM, C5 and even the rare Traction Avant Big 6H, you must be aware that the smallest movement of key components such as height correctors may have a large effect on the current height of the suspension. Movements of even 2 mm on a height corrector can have the car crashing to its bump stops in a second. If someone is under the vehicle at the time without proper safety equipment in place, it could be their last movement.
Proper safety equipment includes adequately rated
- axle stands
- ramps
- wheel chocks
- two post hoist with safety mechanism
- four post hoist with safety mechanism
- approved pit or similar
- a firm, level and secure surface to work on such as concrete garage floors
Improper equipment includes
- besser blocks - aka cinder blocks or breeze block - these have little strength and have been demonstrated to shatter without warning
- bricks - again known to shatter - or if stacked, to topple
- any loose or sloped surface. Stands and ramps will sink into grass or gravel and have also been known to topple.
Ensure you have used the correct points for locating stands under the vehicle you are working on. For example, a CX can easily overbalance if stands are placed under the jacking point.
When lifting a hydraulic Citroen, it is possible to use the vehicle's hydraulic system to lift it to full height and then lower the car onto safety stands. Beware that if for example you support the front end of a vehicle on stands and then lower the suspension, when you start the car and adjust the suspension to a height other than extreme low, the raising of the rear of the vehicle will pivot the front end of the vehicle. Therefore anything or body under the front end of the vehicle may suddenly find itself closer to the underneath of the engine than previously.
Bleeding brakes on some Citroëns will also rob the suspension of pressure, thereby dropping the suspension very rapidly. Trust me, even when the rear of a D is on ramps, the first time you bleed rear brakes it is a surprise!
When placing any car on a 2 post hoist ensure you know the correct locations to place the arms. Front wheel drive vehicles are by design, front heavy and serious consideration needs to be allowed for this to ensure the car does not nose dive from the hoist.
And remember that around the world there have been some unfortunate people who have not heeded warning about ensuring their car (whatever brand) is safe and secure above them before commencing work. One tonne or more of car usually beats 100kg of mechanic. Please do not join this special club.
If you have any doubts about the way you have raised your vehicle from the ground please ask for advice from someone in the know. Better to ask a question than be injured.
This is posted as general advice only and I take no responsibility for your actions or results of them.