Xantia front anti roll bar rubber bushings

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aerodynamica
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previous convictions: totaling 52litres of LHM in one go:
1968 ID19B 'Old Polly' Stellar white
1993 Xantia 1.9 TD SX Mk1 Sinker Silver
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1982 GSA Pallas SE Silver Pearl
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1978 CX 2400 Pallas C-Matic 'Prometheus' Midnight blue
1984 BX 14E 'Cecil the slugmobile' Maroon
1987 Fiat Panda 'the mighty panda'
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Xantia front anti roll bar rubber bushings

Post by aerodynamica »

I have a terrible creaking coming from these bushings at the front. I want to know if these rubbers are supposed to firmly grip the roll bar and the twisting is all done by the rubber (just like the lower arm bushings) or is the roll bar supposed to rotate and slip within the rubber.

I wonder because the creaking suggests they are slipping in the rubber and I don't want to consider rubber grease or anything before I learn of the correct relationship. Haynes book is completely vague on this (doesn't even tell you!)
Graeme M
2008 C5 Exclusive Tourer 2.0 HDi
aerodynamica
Donor 2023
Posts: 1299
Joined: 26 Dec 2007, 18:10
Location: Glasgow
Lexia Available: Yes
My Cars: 2008 C5 Exclusive Tourer
1993 Xantia 1.9 TD VSX Mk1 Sinker A.K.A Slugmobile 13'
'Old Katy'
previous convictions: totaling 52litres of LHM in one go:
1968 ID19B 'Old Polly' Stellar white
1993 Xantia 1.9 TD SX Mk1 Sinker Silver
1992 XM 2.0 SEi Turbo Manual Anthracite Grey
1982 CX 20 Pallas 'Old Goldy'
1993 XM 2.1 SD Auto Light blue
1993 Xantia 1.9 TD SX Mk1 Sinker light Blue
1982 BX 16 TRS 'Cyril' Vallelunga Red
1995 Xantia 1.9 D SX Auto Dark green
1977 CX 2400 Pallas C-Matic 'Aphrodite' Regatta Blue
1982 GSA Pallas SE Silver Pearl
1980 CX 2000 Reflex Vallelunga Red
1978 CX 2400 Pallas C-Matic 'Prometheus' Midnight blue
1984 BX 14E 'Cecil the slugmobile' Maroon
1987 Fiat Panda 'the mighty panda'
x 97

Re: Xantia front anti roll bar rubber bushings

Post by aerodynamica »

Thinking a bit further, I wouldn't expect the roll bar would be designed to slip within the rubber because that constant shearing action between the rubber and the metal would surely wear out in short time! So surely the rubber is supposed to be firmly gripping the roll bar and the rubber twists like the lower arm bushings. Someone on the FB group suggested rubber-compatible grease but that just doesn't seem right?
Graeme M
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Re: Xantia front anti roll bar rubber bushings

Post by white exec »

If wear on black 'rubber' ARB bushings is a problem, I've had really good results using polyurethane ones (from companies like Powerflex). The RAV4 used to eat the OE 'rubber' ones, but some PU replacements just soldiered on.
These are fitted with a smear of PU grease around the RB.
Chris
aerodynamica
Donor 2023
Posts: 1299
Joined: 26 Dec 2007, 18:10
Location: Glasgow
Lexia Available: Yes
My Cars: 2008 C5 Exclusive Tourer
1993 Xantia 1.9 TD VSX Mk1 Sinker A.K.A Slugmobile 13'
'Old Katy'
previous convictions: totaling 52litres of LHM in one go:
1968 ID19B 'Old Polly' Stellar white
1993 Xantia 1.9 TD SX Mk1 Sinker Silver
1992 XM 2.0 SEi Turbo Manual Anthracite Grey
1982 CX 20 Pallas 'Old Goldy'
1993 XM 2.1 SD Auto Light blue
1993 Xantia 1.9 TD SX Mk1 Sinker light Blue
1982 BX 16 TRS 'Cyril' Vallelunga Red
1995 Xantia 1.9 D SX Auto Dark green
1977 CX 2400 Pallas C-Matic 'Aphrodite' Regatta Blue
1982 GSA Pallas SE Silver Pearl
1980 CX 2000 Reflex Vallelunga Red
1978 CX 2400 Pallas C-Matic 'Prometheus' Midnight blue
1984 BX 14E 'Cecil the slugmobile' Maroon
1987 Fiat Panda 'the mighty panda'
x 97

Re: Xantia front anti roll bar rubber bushings

Post by aerodynamica »

Thanks Chris, I'd love PU ones for ALL of the Xantia's terrible lower arm rubbers!
Graeme M
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Re: Xantia front anti roll bar rubber bushings

Post by CitroJim »

The hold and locate the ARB in position Graeme but don't 'flex' in the conventional way... They act more as bearings and I've never known them wear...

The ARB should be held firmly but be free to rotate.

Some sort of lubrication may help. Does the creaking stop when it rains? It was always my experience of several of my Xantias!
Jim

Runner, cyclist, time triallist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
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Re: Xantia front anti roll bar rubber bushings

Post by tich731 »

Is the creak from the ARB bushes?

I have just cured a serious creaking on the OSF of my XM. It felt like it was coming from the strut, but further examination revealed it was the droplink. The upper balljoint had become amazingly stiff. A new Lemforder droplink has cured the problem.
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