The BX 16Valve, being French and Citroën, is less than straightforward when it comes to suspension, steering and brakes. With the age of the vehicles, wear in the hydraulic components is an ever-growing problem. It’s finally time to solve one of my long-standing hydraulic issues, the brake valve.
Rear brakes and suspension
One of the biggest annoyances I have with the car is a sinking feeling in the rear end under braking. In normal circumstances, the high-pressure supply to the rear of the vehicle drives both the suspension and the brakes. However, once the rear suspension has risen, little fluid is required to keep the very light rear end off the tarmac. This leaves more than enough pressure for the rear brake discs. Unfortunately, in my car, holding the brake bleeds the pressure in the rear to the point the suspension sinks.
Citroën BX brake valve seals
The sinking is caused by worn seals in the Citroen BX brake valve. As can be seen in the diagram above, there are quite a few seals that can wear. The internal movement of the valves is only small, but with a lot of fluid passing through and many thousands of brake applications, wear is inevitable.
Refurbishing a brake control valve
I won’t cover refurbishing the brake valve here are there are great websites already coving it, such as the Tramontana website. However, being 30 years since the BX first hit UK roads, repair parts such as seals are becoming a struggle to find. While some dedicated Citroën Specialists, such as Chevronics, are starting to remanufacture parts, some are just not available.
Fortunately, my local Citroën dealer was able to help me source the most critical parts, allowing the valve to be rebuilt. While I’ve had the refurbished valve on the car for over a year now, it’s done little mileage. The hydraulic system has only recently been refurbished with new LHM and complete re-piping.
And the result of overhauling the valve
The difference is fantastic. The rear suspension was sinking almost immediately on turning off the engine. It’s now staying up for hours. More importantly, the brake pedal, typically while waiting at lights, the rear end is no longer slowly sinking. Very much a problem solved, and it has improved my enjoyment of the car!
M
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