boing/click when moving steering 'back from' n/s full lock

[dei9]

Hi,

My car has this boinging noise when I move back from the full lock of the n/s and the n/s wheel. (left side). It's something is catching on something and then gets released when I return the steering. I don't think it's worrying me much, but it's a little weird and annoying tbh. Has anyone come across this before or is it common problem?

Thanks, D

[old-un77]

off hand, I would guess that its a suspension spring binding, instead of moving/turning smoothly with the steering?? the car IS level? ie not a broken spring?

Bob

[dei9]

It does sit level and I've checked the springs just now, nothing visibly broken, and it rides ok (very well in fact).
Any other ideas? The MOT is due in August so maybe that will show something unless I can't.

[RichardW]

It'll be the bearing at the top of the strut probably. Jack it up both sides and wind the steering lock to lock - you will likely find that one (or both!) side goes round in steps rather than smoothly. I had to fit new bearings to our C4 Picasso at 70k - they were well shot!

[chinkostu]

Definately top mounts. Both on my 206 were dead, snapped both springs. Get the strut off and a garage can swap them in minutes

[dei9]

Would it cause the steering to pulsate when going round tight corners at low to medium speeds (such as a small roundabout)?
Is the part expensive?
Thanks all, it does sound like that part is worn.

[chinkostu]

Not likely, look at driveshafts. Is it knocking on full lock when you're driving?

[dei9]

No

[citroenxm]

It'll be the bearing at the top of the strut probably. Jack it up both sides and wind the steering lock to lock - you will likely find that one (or both!) side goes round in steps rather than smoothly. I had to fit new bearings to our C4 Picasso at 70k - they were well shot!

Top mount vote here too.. cars dont always sit funny with broken springs..

Jeesus christ and all that Richard your a damm bloody brave man! Ive got those spring compressors and when i nearly killed myself with a 306 spring i vowed never ever to use them again!!!

Leathel things! My local garage now if i take a strut and top mount to them will shove it in a industrial compressor and swap the tops over .. in 10 mins..

[dei9]

Upon closer inspection the spring may be broken towards the top within the shadows, and of course would require the darned top bearing too. Ugh!

[citroenxm]

Well thats why REAL citroens have hydraulics.. none of this coil spring rubbish lark!!

Crap arent they these peugeots!

[dei9]

Yea, I second that opinion. I had a quick spin in the Xantia the other day, and my god that is better built. I will persevere with it though. It still a fun car. The handling is very very good, the Xantia isn't bad at all for unconventional, but the Xsara glides like it's a rollercoaster (with a broken spring).

[dei9]

It'll be the bearing at the top of the strut probably. Jack it up both sides and wind the steering lock to lock - you will likely find that one (or both!) side goes round in steps rather than smoothly. I had to fit new bearings to our C4 Picasso at 70k - they were well shot!

Is that mount broken in two parts? I'm looking for one and they seem to be a one part, is the bearing inside the thing?

[chinkostu]

Usually theres a bearing that can be replaced that pops out of the rubber mount. However some cars have them integrated. That mount is however broken into two, the rusty part just above the spring usually sits atop the spring, then the bearing sits between that and the upper rubber part.

If needs be i can look on servicebox and see whats what?

[dei9]

That would be cool Chinkostu, so when I take the strut out, do I need to compress the spring before it comes out, or does get compressed afterwards? I've not done this kind of thing before, it can't be hard. I've found access to a spring compressor. From then on it's just nuts and bolts and lining things up isn't it. I'm lookin at one spring first though, unless two is recommended anyway, obviously that costs more.