C5 Steering Chatter

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 29 Jun 2010, 10:50

Does anyone know what causes the steering to chatter on C5s and what is needed to repair this? I hope not a new rack?

I assume this is not a uncommon this to C5s, as we have had two which do this. Our previous 52 C5 estate was chattering at 105K miles. Our current 52reg C5 Hatch started doing it a few months ago, its really annoying.

What i mean by chattering:
On bumps, ridges, potholes or unsurfaced roads the steering wheel chatters, making a rattling noise and feeling a little loose.

With the engine off, turning the wheel slightly from left to right makes the same noise. It feels as though there is play in the steering rack somewhere, it feels more towards the steering wheel itself than the suspension area.

As we have horses our 52 SX C5 hatch is used to go to the farm. So it spends a lot of time along rough farm tracks, which probably has not done this fault any favours.

Ive read on here one C5 mentioned with this slightl rattling in the steering, but ive not seen any posts specifically for this problem. Unless its not as common as i imagine but with higher mileage it does seem to become a problem. Especially if the car has the larger wheels or stiff tyre sidewalls. The hatch only started rattling when i had the C5 estate wheels on with harder tyres than its michelins.

Ive asked at the two local Citroen specialist, one said they have not come across the problem before, another said they have seen it a few times on C5s and they think its the collapsible shaft in the column which becomes worn and chatters.

Has anyone had this problem and found what needs to be replaced?

Post by **myglaren** » 29 Jun 2010, 17:18

The universal joint can be a problem with them Chris.

As can the rack retaining bolts. Bit of an 'interesting' job to fix I believe

timborob · Post by **timborob** » 29 Jun 2010, 17:57

Sorry to read of your problems on this Chris

I haven't felt any problems with my steering yet and can only hope it remains that way.

Good luck in getting it resolved cheaply.

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 29 Jun 2010, 22:24

Thanks Steve, ive not had a look at anything on it yet as i dont know where to start. I did think it would be the universal joint, ill have to have a feel to see if the noise comes from there.

Tim, my VTR is still rattle free, its the SX which has started do to do this. Currently on 123K miles.

Id like to find out what it is because its annoying, however as two of the 4 C5s we have owned hav had his problem, id like to know what it is so i know for future rattling!

john alexander · Post by **john alexander** » 30 Jun 2010, 23:46

Hi back in 1982 I had a Renault 18 which I bought new in 1980, this developed a loud clunk when turning corners. The suspension was checked then the Rack came out and was checked, after much scratching of heads the steering coloum came out and there was the problem , the collapsable section was a round shaft with two flats inside a matching tube kept in place by Four small nylon pins ,one of which was missing. When one end was held in a vise and the other end twisted a very small click was heard. This very small click was the very loud klunk when transmitted through the body of the car. I brazed the two sections together. no use in a crash as it would'nt collapse but I got my sanity back . Think outside the box it could be the weirdest thing Regards John.

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 02 Jul 2010, 10:11

Thnanks for that, might be a similar problem i guess

Im surprised no one else has had this with their C5

Post by **Paul-R** » 02 Jul 2010, 10:34

Citroenmad wrote:Im surprised no one else has had this with their C5

My C5 has a little bit of free play but not yet a clunk.

It's very difficult to see exactly where the wear is but I think it's the U/J clamp down by your feet. I've tried tightening the bolt but it doesn't seem to want to go any tighter. It's not a huge problem at the moment so I've left it.

dnsey · Post by **dnsey** » 02 Jul 2010, 22:43

Mine has a bit of play somewhere in the column too. Perhaps it's normal - I don't know what they're like new.
I vaguely recall reading that play somewhere can be reduced by slightly altering the angle (vertical 'comfort' setting) of the wheel.

GB · Post by GB » 03 Jul 2010, 00:17

Yeah, mine is starting to develop this noise too (54-reg, 60K miles). Very annoying.

It sounds and feels that the rattle is definitely coming from the steering column, somewhere close to the steering wheel, and not the rack.

GB

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 09 Jul 2010, 16:56

Ah, so more people have this rattle then, thats good! In a way anyway

My 04reg with 74K does not have any free play or rattling, but the 52 with 124K has some rattling and play, it doesnt cause a problem its just annoying.

Ill have to investigate and see if i can find the source of the problem. Somehting must wear somewhere.

wright · Post by **wright** » 09 Jul 2010, 21:39

mine is a 02 with 152k on it, it had the rattling and it drove me mad had everything checked steering rack was perfect, as were drop links, etc,

it was the steering colum at the collapsable joint, you shouldn't weld it or it won't do it's job when you need it most, what i did was put a big vice grips on it and squeezed it as tight as i could and the problem was solved.

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 10 Jul 2010, 09:18

Thanks for that wright, very helpful.

This is what a local Citroen specialist suggested would be causing the rattling.

How do you get to the joint?

wright · Post by **wright** » 10 Jul 2010, 19:51

i just took off the cover above the pedals, there is no bolts or anything like that just two bars coming together, one into the other.

hold your hand on the joint you should feel a small movement but that movement will feel like a lot of play by the time it's transmitted to the steering wheel, where they join squeeze as tight as you can with a vice grips, that did it for me, a few months later and still tight

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 10 Jul 2010, 22:10

Thanks, ill take a look at that

wright · Post by **wright** » 31 Jul 2010, 23:16

any joy, did it work?