Xantia rear trailing arm system

This is the Forum for all your Citroen Technical Questions, Problems or Advice.

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
mike davies
Posts: 9
Joined: 17 Feb 2001, 01:18
Location: United Kingdom
My Cars:

Xantia rear trailing arm system

Post by mike davies »

I have developed a noise from the rear n/side suspension.The noise sounds like a dull bell ring as it is there with every slight movement of the suspension.If I hold the rear n/side sphere and bounce the rear end I can feel the clonk through the sphere. all spheres are new 500 miles ago. I think it is something to do with the trailing arm bearings. If so do you have to renew the whole lot or is there a kit available? What is involved in this procedure
The car is a Xantia Estate 110 bhp HDI 1999 model.Is this normal wear for only 26,000 miles? Mike.
JohnD
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2632
Joined: 14 Mar 2001, 23:41
Location: Epsom, Surrey
My Cars: 2010 Citroen C5-X7 tourer
1998 Citroen Saxo 1.5D
2018 Citroen C4-B7
1998 Peugeot 306. 1.9D
2011 Citroen C1
x 72
Contact:

Post by JohnD »

Hi Mike - Yes - the Xantia rear arms have bearings just like the BX, and all elderly BXs suffer from it. The rear wheels start to lean inwards at the top (/---\). My daughter's BX has just developed the lean and is beginning to sound when weight is added or removed from the vehicle. But it has 125K on the clock. A kit is available to change them at about £30 a side My Xantia has 48K and is showing no signs of similar trouble. At 26000, your problem is definately not arm bearings.
mike davies
Posts: 9
Joined: 17 Feb 2001, 01:18
Location: United Kingdom
My Cars:

Post by mike davies »

John,
Fault traced to near side rear sphere. Hydraulic pulsing sound from sphere for every movement of the suspension. When offending sphere removed LHM fluid come out (lots of it)Two new spheres fitted and sound gone. Thanks, Mike.
mike davies
Posts: 9
Joined: 17 Feb 2001, 01:18
Location: United Kingdom
My Cars:

Post by mike davies »

John, I forgot to add the original new spheres were supplied incorrectly for a saloon and not for an estate, 30 barg as opposed to 50 barg, hence failure
JohnD
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2632
Joined: 14 Mar 2001, 23:41
Location: Epsom, Surrey
My Cars: 2010 Citroen C5-X7 tourer
1998 Citroen Saxo 1.5D
2018 Citroen C4-B7
1998 Peugeot 306. 1.9D
2011 Citroen C1
x 72
Contact:

Post by JohnD »

Hi Mike - Did Citroen contribute towards rectifying their mistake???????
AndyT
Posts: 2
Joined: 08 Nov 2001, 21:09
Location: United Kingdom
My Cars:

Post by AndyT »

I've just bought a Xantia TD VSX with 84K on the clock and upon browsing the old bills from Citroen it appears as though it has been noted that the rear radius arms are worn and they require stripping down.
How much am I looking at to get this problem resolved ? I rang a local Pug/Citroen specialist and was quoted £48 a side for the bearings/bushes and around £200 labour (all plus VAT) Is this good ?
JohnD
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2632
Joined: 14 Mar 2001, 23:41
Location: Epsom, Surrey
My Cars: 2010 Citroen C5-X7 tourer
1998 Citroen Saxo 1.5D
2018 Citroen C4-B7
1998 Peugeot 306. 1.9D
2011 Citroen C1
x 72
Contact:

Post by JohnD »

Hi Andy - Your quote for new bearing kits is a bit over the top. Andyspares do them for around £30. A certain amount of DIY skill is required to do the job, as is a good tool kit. Replacement arms are also available at around £125 per side, so perhaps your garage quote is reasonable. Should be you feel able to tackle the job yourself, there are some very helpful sites. Come back for the addresses if you are interested.
AndyT
Posts: 2
Joined: 08 Nov 2001, 21:09
Location: United Kingdom
My Cars:

Post by AndyT »

Thanks John..
I'm no mechanic but I've stripped the head of my K-series engined Caterham and turbocharged a n/a Honda CRX so I'm not afraid.
Fire away with the URL's then !
JohnD
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2632
Joined: 14 Mar 2001, 23:41
Location: Epsom, Surrey
My Cars: 2010 Citroen C5-X7 tourer
1998 Citroen Saxo 1.5D
2018 Citroen C4-B7
1998 Peugeot 306. 1.9D
2011 Citroen C1
x 72
Contact:

Post by JohnD »

Hi Andy - If you click on 'Links' on Andyspares homepage you'll find several useful sites listed under BX, but probably the most informative is Y. Narabayashi's Japanese site. Fortunately, he puts it into English and you can find the Rear Arm page on www.bx.Citroen.org/m07/m07e.html On the BX Q&A site I've seen it suggested that when fitting new bearings, the arm could be drilled and tapped for a grease nipple, thus never again would you need to replace the bearings. However, since they last in the region of 100K miles, would it be worth it. What might be worthwhile would be fitting grease nipples to a comparatively young Xantia. Is it possible to drill and tap with the arms still fitted on the car? What about any swarf? All the best!
Post Reply