96' ZX Handling Question.

[DT2912]

Hi. I am new to Citroen but so far enjoying my ZX driving! I have put right a few things on my E Bay purchase but I have a handling issue I can't diagnose.

Basically my ZX will enter a right hand bend at a typical A road speed and will steer fine until it has got part way in. Then the car suddenly over steers and it feels like the problem is on the back end of the car. The sudden 'flick' is easily corrected but It does not happen on left corners at any speed.

I have checked my wheel alignment and tracking which have been shown to be ok. I have read about the steering rear axle on these cars and wondered if there were things I needed to look for under the back of the car, such as worn bushes, shock absorber problems etc. The rear shocks appear to be ok with no signs of leaks. I have also looked for corrosion in the key areas but nothing obvious has presented itself.

Any ideas on this one?

[beko1987]

My old 97 zx used to this, the back end would wander every now and again. I think it was the bushes on mine, but I never looked into it.

Is your power steering OK? Is it notchy or similar?

Hope you get it sorted, I miss my ZX more than I thought I would...

[bxzx16v]

It's sounds like it could be the rear subframe mountings , my Zx had them done at around 11yrs old . What model Zx have you got ?

Mark

[RichardW]

Almost certainly the rear subframe mounts. Info on changing them here: ZX Rear mounts

The pictures in my thread are no more, but the job is not too bad, and transforms the handling!

[oscar]

Hi yes the ZX Achilles heel. have a look into the poly bushes made of urethane (pro flex or whatever names are out there) there was bits for ZX and AX/Saxo and more.not too sure how much is different to the pug's which use sim components?.
But if you replace with urethane bushes you will see a massive improvement makes them very positive on the road.plus once fitted never have to replace unlike rubber esp for high wear parts as they make the rubber ones with cutouts(void bushes) which wear/tear.
Had a sierra before that changed fully to urethane when was playing with it as we do when younger! but the difference was massive used to drive/handle like a go kart esp compared to norm bush car gone is all the at sea feeling but without harshness like nylon bushing which wears also quickly.
Many cars suffer suspension steering or induced because many have two or more bushes inline between the the tyre/suspension parts and you.
Plus it saves on tyres with odd wear you get from that.
I spent a lot of time researching into handling/componentry when building my car's. Hands up who remembers Mk3 cortina's and there wobble change to uro and they handled great used to run rings round escort/capri's twin 48's 2.2 full steel engine. but those where the days when you could enjoy things.

[spider]

Jack up each wheel in turn and feel for play both sideways and up/down.

At the front I'd guess a bad wishbone bush or bottom ball joint, less likely a top mounting. Also could be a track rod end or a loose rack mount but the latter seems unlikely.

It does sound dangerous however and if its had a recent MOT am surprised it was not noticed as I'd expect to find movement somewhere.

Rear, well there is a very slight passive rear steer anyway. Check for play in the wheels like the front then examine the axle mounting bushes, its mounted on four points. If its an internal axle concern (axle bearing etc) you should be able to feel the movement in the wheel.

Also look at the rear of the car when its on the ground from about 10 metres away, are the rear wheels level and not at an angle ? ie: / \

[DT2912]

Thanks for all those bits of info. I will look into those mountings!

In answer to the earlier questions, my car is 1.4 Elation which is on 91500 miles. It was an Ebay purchase but I knew where it was coming from so I took a punt. I won it for the princely sum of £425!

I have been very pleased with the car after all the warnings I got from various people about 'old Citroens'. I have been particularly pleased by how well screwed together it is and the comfort. I would put it much higher than the MK3 Golf that I owned before.

Just regarding the sub frame bushes, do I need to invest in any special tools for this? I have a reasonable tool store, as I am restoring two 1960s Triumphs and I have picked up all sorts of kit from auto jumbles. But I have noticed in the Haynes various references to special tools for different jobs.

Thanks all....

Ps, what is the truth about TU series head gaskets? Mine looks ok at the moment but are they as troublesome as some reviews I have read on the web?

[DT2912]

Thanks Andy,

I posted the same question twice by accident and I have had some other replies under my other posting. I will certainly explore the back end carefully but your comments about the front have also got me thinking too. I will spend this weekend checking it all carefully.

[myglaren]

The two threads have been merged to avoid confusion.

[RichardW]

TU headgaskets leak oil for fun - either from the front RH corner of the block, or into the cooling system - you can replace it, and it will leak again soon after....

IIRC about the only 'special' tool you need for the subframe mounts is a deep 16mm socket.

[citronut]

the TU head gasket is a very easy job to do, and they are not quite as bad as RichardW says

if you have oil on the forward face of the block below the head to block joint just beside the cam belt cover, this is head gasket failure,

here is an ebay listing showing the sub frame bush's

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CITROEN-ZX-RE ... 1139037370" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;