c5 front suspension knock

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pete@co.uk
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c5 front suspension knock

Post by pete@co.uk »

Hi All

i have a c5 sx 1.8 on a Y plate its done 90000 miles from new the problem i have is when i go over speed humps or sharp bumps in the road i get this loud knock coming from the front o/s ive had it checked and there,s nothing loose or seems worn under there but some garages have suggested drop links or antiroll bar bushes i went into Citroen any they said this too but they want a fee just to check this out the car is fine on smooth roads and motorways it was suggested to me today it could be the suspension pump on its way out but the car jacks up and down perfectly on the suspension any ideas guys

Thanks In advance

Pete..................
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dnsey
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Post by dnsey »

Yep, probably one (or both) drop links - they're almost a consumable item on hydraulic Citroens.
Unless they're really bad, it's difficult to feel the play when they're installed, as they will rattle with wear which is barely discernible even when off the car.
Go for Lemdorfer replacements - the cheap substitutes never seen to last long.
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Post by myglaren »

Strange that I have never had drop link problems on any Citroen.

I treat the speed bumps as though they weren't there.
I freely admit that this is both careless and unwise but I have chucked the C5 around for five years with a fair amount of disregard for suspension problems and have had none.

Other problems, sure, but none suspension related.
Famous last words of course - the bottom will fall out tomorrow no doubt.
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Post by pete@co.uk »

Hi Thanks Dnsey

I Hope your right I'm taking it in Monday to have it checked by a independent Citroen specialist to see what he says i used to have an xantia years ago which had the same problem but i dont remember it being this loud sometimes its a little click other times its a loud knock but you cant feel it through the steering wheel it very disconcerting to say the least

ill keep you updated on this

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pete@co.uk
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Post by pete@co.uk »

Thanks Myglaren

Well i hope it don't fall out lol but seriously i hope i can get this sorted otherwise i think the C5 is a great car

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Post by kraM »

Hi

Please help,

Just joined, and I think that I have a similar problem with my 2002 C5 2.2HDI 104'000mile Estate. Normal driving is fine, no clonks or bangs, but come off the top of a speed hump, and it sounds as if the Front suspension tops our really hard, with a loud bang / clonk.

Also the suspension seems to sag after switching off, something I've not noticed before, and I am sure that the ride is getting firmer at the front end.

Any sugestions, including if you think it is the same and the drop links are to blame, please let me know,

Thank you

Mark
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Post by Xaccers »

myglaren wrote:Strange that I have never had drop link problems on any Citroën.

I treat the speed bumps as though they weren't there.
I freely admit that this is both careless and unwise but I have chucked the C5 around for five years with a fair amount of disregard for suspension problems and have had none.

Other problems, sure, but none suspension related.
Famous last words of course - the bottom will fall out tomorrow no doubt.
I have to say I'm just the same!
What's the point of having superior speed bump eating suspension (rather than suspension eating speedbumps) if you're not going to take advantage.
I do find myself sometimes getting frustrated with people infront taking them slowly, then remember how poor their suspension is.
And a colleague used to wet himself whenever I few out of Daimler's car park over the tiny speedbump they had (he had a Golf GTI lowered so had to always go dead slow over them).
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Post by pete@co.uk »

UPDATE.........

Well Ive Had the Suspension checked Drop links Everything and was told there,s no wear anywhere and everything is OK with the suspension the mechanic told me he thinks its the hydromatic suspension pump clicking in and out working hard because the LDS Fluid was Low. It Was below the Min Mark on the seam of the tank, When The suspension Was on the Lowest Setting So Ive been to Citroen and Brought a Litre of LDS and got the level back up to between the Min And Max Mark ill see how it goes from here but so far i haven't heard a peep from it ill let you all know how it goes in a few days.

One More Question Is there any Advantage to fill the Tank To The Max Mark or is Best to Leave it As it Is As i dont wish To Overfill it

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Post by myglaren »

No, just fill to the recommended level.

Look out for leaks if the level is low though.

Power steering lines are prone to leakage and are out of sight behind the undertray.
Also the gaiters, mainly the rear ones, can get nicks and rips in them and weep.

It is a good idea to fairly frequently 'exercise' the suspension, raise it to full height, wait a moment, drop it to the lowest setting, again wait a moment the repeat a few times.
Most of us are guilty of doing this while waiting at traffic lights - amusing to see the faces of fellow commuters :)
Keeps the struts lubricated and free.
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Post by addo »

It's hard to evaluate some aspects of the suspension because they are under modest load even when the car is jacked up. Realistically a "knock" is likely to be either a caliper flopping about or a worn balljoint/tie rod end.
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Post by pete@co.uk »

UPDATE

Hi all a couple of days has past and the knock is still here looks like I'm going to have this further looked into it could well be the drop links but as Ive said the car was up on a ramp with the front wheels hanging loose and there was no play anywhere no sideways, movement or lower ball joint movement nothing on the drop links no play in tie rod ends no play on the anti roll bar bushes the guy had a close look at everything and found nothing the only thing he did,nt do was take anything apart maybe i should get him to have a closer look at the drop links...... What happens is, sometimes there,s a rattling noise and sometimes there,s a definite clunk under there and i dont know whats going on maybe i should take it for a second opinion somewhere else

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Suspension rattles

Post by Dannyboy »

Hi gents,I have the exact same problem on an `01 HDi Xantia with 180K. Rattle from front suspension over rough surfaces yet can find nothing worn......NCT ( MOT ) found no problems either . Drop links are rock solid, Suspension feels tight enough and quite good for the mileage done, it drives well. It spoils an otherwise good motor. It`s not the calipers either. Pulling the handbrake on during the rattle changes nothing. With the car on axle stands with the suspension ( hydraulics ) depressurised I could feel no play in the struts after pulling the gaiter down. I have noticed that this xantia is like a previous S1 `94 1.9 TD Xantia I had....it doesn`t like sharp speed ramps...you get a loud thud if you hit them too fast. Too fast being 25 mph on the sharp ones. .........any ideas ?..............rgds.....Dannyboy.
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Post by pete@co.uk »

Hi Dannyboy welcome and join the club i hope we can get some answers ill have mine more looked into but i don't think any car is built to withstand these ridiculous speed humps i wish they would take them off or roads they do nothing for safety we never had these things every where years ago all the do is damage cars and make them unsafe i wish we could claim for all the damage they do........ oops I'm going off subject now but thats it my rant over

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Post by GB »

dnsey wrote:Go for Lemdorfer replacements - the cheap substitutes never seen to last long.
Where can you get the Lemdorfer drop links from?
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Post by addo »

I buy mine from a German supplier, as I won't deal with ECP and can't deal with GSF. Make sure of whether you have the early or late type before ordering.
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