Hi all
I'd put it differently: the
torn-rubber failure can happen
everywhere (due to running for a prolonged time on flat spheres, and/or, hydractive being stuck in hard mode with owner not realising it, and/or, simply...ageing!). Every time I see a Xantia in Glasgow these days, I turn my eyes elsewhere not to suffer seeing it...pumping its way round

, riding on its strut-tops rubbers only....

.
Additionally, the
rust-related failure mainly hits the UK, afaik.
(BTW we really should start a thread in this forum, like they have on Planete-Citroen, where everyone reports instances of broken tops, with photos, will make it easier to discuss the issue -with time they've aggregated 17pages-).
There was a Brazilian XM-owner in Planete-Citroen who was looking to (and finally did) completely deactivate the hard mode because it appears that roads overthere can be very-very bumpy. Hence the "strut arrestors" on our friends car. It seems Brazilians know

... These arrestors really look like they "lick" the strut's top, way too close, -although photo could be misleading-.
Notice that this car also has DIRAVI (u can see the centrifugal regulator next to the LHM tank) and the knob for adjusting the straight-line position on the right edge of engine bay. The assistance has to stiffen as speed increases, to the point that, at 100km/h, you really need 2 hands firm on the wheel to be directing the car (unless you are Conan the Barbarian). If steering remains light at higher speed, then it's not working, and it'll rather be the tranfer cable that has snaped/broken from the gearbox to the centrifugal regulator. Or the regulator itself (rarely but does happen).
Make sure to pass it on Hydraflush immediately! 5 years of LHM resting...not good for its veins !!
Beautiful find indeed! Lucky you!!
cheers
George