Xantia steering rack

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 20 Jan 2011, 21:04

The play is on the actual balljoint - I wouldn't call it a bush! That's a
whole different set up on different Citroen models.

Xantia track rod inner and balljoint.

You can get the steering rack out through the driver's wheelarch but the
lower wishbone needs to be removed. I did this last year and it wasn't
so bas if i'd fitted the right replacement rack on - I found out the hard
way the only difference in the pinion hydraulic pipe unions - the pinion
was leaking very badly on the original. Ended up doing the off/on job
twice pretty much as it was late in the day when the difference was
noticed. Silly thing was the racks were all off the same registered age
Xantiae but this could still span well over a year I suppose.

Andrew

reservex · Unread post by **reservex** » 20 Jan 2011, 21:11

Paul, looking at Andrews post with pic it now makes sense, the play is in the ball joint!! Nothing like sharing information, Thanks

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 20 Jan 2011, 21:21

My mind is becoming shot to hell these days and the adage of forgetting
more thsn I know probably rings true but I do seem to recall now I used
a decent pipe wrench/pair of stilsons many moons ago to grip the inner joint.
Helps of course to wind the lock out on the side you're busy with to give
yourself more access around the joint and give maximum leverage of the
stilsons.

Andrew

Unread post by **citroenxm** » 20 Jan 2011, 21:23

Thats the Way Andrew... you had me thinking then I was giving incorrect advice... but its exactly how I swapped my XM ones...

Paul

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 20 Jan 2011, 21:28

I thought so Paul. It must be the Cx I'm thinking about with the peening.
Damned chunky bushed joints which tend to be hopeless and easily
woern too.

Should this inner swivel in fact be the cause of the shudder and play,
I wonder how many garages would happily have relieved a large chunk of
money in parts and labour to fit a new replacement rack. Come to that,
how many would just swap the track rods/ends and charge for a full rack
swap...

Call me cynical if you want, but this is the stuff of the horror stories found
by undercover Trading Standards guys.

Andrew

Deanxm · Unread post by **Deanxm** » 20 Jan 2011, 21:33

a picture speaks...............

CIMG2309 by Deanxm, on Flickr

CIMG2308 by Deanxm, on Flickr

not the n/s butthe joint is the same, it just has a small rubber boot over it that needs levering off first, its held on the same way pushfit plastic plumbing fittings grip the pipe.
D

reservex · Unread post by **reservex** » 20 Jan 2011, 21:33

Thanks Paul and Andrew, looks like you have saved me a few bob, pity your not local would have bought you a few pints on the savings!!

Deanxm · Unread post by **Deanxm** » 20 Jan 2011, 21:40

For future reference there IS a nylon bush in the end of the rack housing and it can wear out but only if there is not enough grease in the rack, for example when the boot has split and been washed out inside and full of muck for example but there are very hardy.

D

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 20 Jan 2011, 21:43

Good call Dean. Fortunately, I've not had the need to get that far into
an Xm or Xant rack the way you did on your red car! Mind, I'll have
forgotten this point before I finish this.....

NOW. ...what was I going to say again...

Andrew

Deanxm · Unread post by **Deanxm** » 20 Jan 2011, 21:47

i think Citroens must ruin the memory Andrew.
The more time that passes where i own one it gets worse, now i have two the decline is more noticable

D

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 21 Jan 2011, 03:38

The play is probably in your lower ball joints.

A rack inner joint should be sufficiently tight as not to droop when sticking out horizontally.

Unread post by **citroenxm** » 21 Jan 2011, 08:02

No Addo, the joint on the threadded part of the track rod, on the right side of andrews picture, can wear when the grease has dried out... as I said, Ive had this a couple of times on two XM's, and one of my Xantias...

Paul

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 21 Jan 2011, 08:10

Play in that can be detected on pretty much any hoist as a good "wiggle" of the road wheel shows it easily.

The balljoints are harder to pick, being thoroughly preloaded - so people can mistakenly assume they're pretty good.

citronut · Unread post by **citronut** » 21 Jan 2011, 08:27

here is price and part No. for track rod and a complete rack,
also it does not show a locking washer in there at all for your car,

hope your sitting down

Part Number Description Quantity Price excl. VAT Price incl. VAT Total incl. VAT Selection
96136394 TIE ROD ASSY 25.05 GBP 30.06 GBP 30.06 GBP

00004000Z1 STEERG GEAR ASY 965.74 GBP 1,158.89 GBP 1,158.89 GBP

i would by the track rod from citroen at at that price its not woth s*ding around with after market,

but if you choose to go to a factors you can aim that part No. at them to cross ref,

regards malcolm

ps.
Paul are left and right oposite in the wooly wilds of Anglsea

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 21 Jan 2011, 08:54

.nwod edispu si neercs ym esuaceb yaw taht ti nettirw s'eh ,oN