Wandering C5

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Alec B
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Wandering C5

Post by Alec B »

Hi to all, our C5 tends to wander when in a straight line on uneven roads sometimes to the point of needing to correct it. Tyres all ok, balanced, pressure, tread etc. It feels as if it's coming from the power steering which has a mind of it's own any ideas?



Thanks Alec
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Lighty
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Re: Wandering C5

Post by Lighty »

Worn rear arm bearings will cause this, rear end steering .
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Alec B
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Re: Wandering C5

Post by Alec B »

Ah cheers. I take it this is a common problem as it's only done 50'000 with no towing. Is it also a simple (and cheap) job and what's the easiest way of testing the rear arm bearings? Phew sorry for all the questions. Regards
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C5 Estate VTR 1.6HDi 2005 S2

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Pug 205 Gti 1.6 1985.
Xantia Estate LX 2000 90bhp HDi
Xsara Picasso VTX 1.6 HDi (92) 2007
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Re: Wandering C5

Post by cachaciero »

Alec B wrote:Ah cheers. I take it this is a common problem as it's only done 50'000 with no towing. Is it also a simple (and cheap) job and what's the easiest way of testing the rear arm bearings? Phew sorry for all the questions. Regards
Certainly a not an uncommon problem on Mk1's My feeling is that it largely emanates from the back due to the passive rear wheel steering set up and I always thought that the Mk1 was more susceptible because Citroen cocked something up on the Mk1 rear axle although what was never clear, at least to me. Personal belief is that the drillngs for the arm bearings was out of tolerance probably resulting in incorrect or marginal rear wheel alignment. However my belief is that this must have been rectified on Mk2's as the axle tube is a different part number.
I have noticed on mine that it is very sensitive to tyre pressures as much, if not more, on the rears as the front, I also find that it is better running the tyres over pressure 38 as opposed to 33,
Arm bearing failure is usually audible i.e creaks and groans and the rear wheels tend to show pronounced camber, however there are quite a few reports where bearing failure has happened silently and my belief is that they would have to be well shot before camber changes became noticeable.

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Re: Wandering C5

Post by Peter.N. »

Are the front tyres wearing evenly? Uneven wear can cause this.

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Alec B
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Re: Wandering C5

Post by Alec B »

Thanks for replies. I will try a higher pressure as the rear arms, as said, don't creak or groan. The rear tyres wear evenly but the front's do wear on the inside. I think the cheapest option for now is higher air pressure and maybe a 4 wheel alignment. I hope this cures it as I've found some old posts and it doesn't look like an easy or indeed cheap job. Funny when I first bought my Xantia I had a similar problem but it resulted in me getting very tired when driving and that was tyre pressures having to be spot on.
Current Car
C5 Estate VTR 1.6HDi 2005 S2

Previous French Cars
Pug 205 Gti 1.6 1985.
Xantia Estate LX 2000 90bhp HDi
Xsara Picasso VTX 1.6 HDi (92) 2007
cachaciero
Posts: 1407
Joined: 13 Apr 2009, 07:24
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Re: Wandering C5

Post by cachaciero »

If the front tyres are wearing on the inner shoulder I would suspect that the tracking is incorrect, i.e toe'd out, this would almost certainly provoke a degree of wandering.
My own experience and most comments I have read would suggest that outer shoulder wear is the norm on these cars.

cachaciero
2006 Toyota Prius T Spirit
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1995 XM 2.1 TD Auto SX died @ 140K
1987 CX 2.5 Gti Turbo II dead
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1981 CX 2.4 Pallas Auto
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Re: Wandering C5

Post by Jabo »

Mine veers to the left when driving and at least one of my rear arm bearings is needing replaced.
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