C5 X7 rattling front suspension

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Peter.N.
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C5 X7 rattling front suspension

Post by Peter.N. »

Rattle from the front n/s (steel sprung) when going over bumps, actually sounds more like someone hitting the underside of the floor with a hammer! Cant find any worn bushes, not that I can see anyway. Any suggestions?

Thanks

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Re: C5 X7 rattling front suspension

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Can you replicate the noise with harsh braking and take-off? Can you hear a clunking?

See my post here on my X7 blog - specifically problem number (2) Peter.

viewtopic.php?p=592172&hilit=clunk#p592172

If it is this particular bush - you'll have no visual indication and will be hard pressed to get it to move unless the car is on a lift and with some considerable encouragement. These cars are quite heavy so it can be difficult or impossible to replicate the clunking when the car is on the ground and stationary.
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Re: C5 X7 rattling front suspension

Post by bobins »

If it ain't the lower pivot bush, then it'll be the drop links. They can rattle / clonk without any outward sign of wear. Use good quality ones if you need to replace them (Lemforder, Genuine, etc).
Sadly no longer a C5 owner :(
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Re: C5 X7 rattling front suspension

Post by Peter.N. »

Thanks for the replies. I think its to heavier sound for drop links, it feels as though its right at the back end of the suspension, it sounds as though its directly under the passenger side floor. It only does it over a fairly big bump, you don't hear it most of the time but when you do it makes you jump!

The only time I have heard a similar sound it was caused by a loose bolt on the subframe - I think that was on an XM.

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Re: C5 X7 rattling front suspension

Post by Peter.N. »

Broken spring. :oops:

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Re: C5 X7 rattling front suspension

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Oh that’ll do it then!
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Re: C5 X7 rattling front suspension

Post by Peter.N. »

I wondered why I couldn't get the jack under the sill - that gave me a clue. The single small turn at the bottom that positions the spring has broken off and the spring has slid down over the flange.

Marc.

Was it you that told me about the different springs for standard and Exclusive models? They only seem to offer one spring and I don't want to put a stiffer one on it. You don't happen to know the original part numbers do you? There is quite a difference in the ride between the two and you can feel it just by bouncing the front.

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Re: C5 X7 rattling front suspension

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Yes they are different, and as I'm not sure which you need, here are the front spring parts for both vehicles.

For your VIN ending 006, the front spring should be marked Orange and the part is 5002VL. £118.63
For your VIN ending 133, the front spring should be marked Green and the part is 5002VK. £120.16

All prices current as of posting inc. VAT Peter.
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Re: C5 X7 rattling front suspension

Post by Peter.N. »

Thanks Marc. There only seems to be one type available on Ebay, nothing listed under 'Exclusive' I shan't be paying Citroens price I'm afraid. I would assume the the generally available ones would be for the more 'common' cars, soft hopefully.

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Re: C5 X7 rattling front suspension

Post by GiveMeABreak »

They're not listed by trim level Peter, but on engine type, saloon / estate and some options like sunroof I think. But you have the original part numbers now so should be able to source some using these.
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In the past: 3, CX td Safaris and about 7, XM td estates. Lovely cars.
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Re: C5 X7 rattling front suspension

Post by Peter.N. »

Thanks again Marc. The one with the stiffer springs has the same 2.0. Hdi engine but leather, satnav, glass roof etc although manual and steel sprung of course.

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Re: C5 X7 rattling front suspension

Post by bobins »

A brief search on euspares.co.uk shows that 'Suplex', 'Spidan' and 'Sachs' all make different front springs depending on whether fitted with sunroof or not. They are, unhelpfully, all listed as being compatible with 5002VL and 5002VK, though they are clearly different specs as the springs are slightly different dimensions. I think a bit of research into those manufacturer's to find their correct manufacturing code number for the right part will be the way forward.
Other spring manufacturers are available, but I don't know if they make the two types of front spring : Lesjofors, Kilen, Kyb


Edit: Run your car through the Sachs online catalogue to see the springs available.
https://aftermarket.zf.com/go/en/sachs/catalogs/#/
Sadly no longer a C5 owner :(
Peter.N.
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Posts: 11563
Joined: 02 Apr 2005, 16:11
Location: Charmouth,Dorset
My Cars: Currently:

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C5 X7 VTR + Hdi Estate 2008 Red

In the past: 3, CX td Safaris and about 7, XM td estates. Lovely cars.
x 1199

Re: C5 X7 rattling front suspension

Post by Peter.N. »

OK thanks for that. I have checked through dozens on Ebay and they only mention one spring with no options so I have ordered a Kilen At £26.18, a bit cheaper than OE. At least it will get the car back on the road. Just so happens that the CV joint boot has failed on the same side so that should save a bit of hassle.

Peter
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