Refurbished rack - steering wheel out by 1/4???

This is the Forum for all your Citroen Technical Questions, Problems or Advice.

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
Chapron
Posts: 11
Joined: 01 Sep 2021, 14:05
Location: Denbighshire
My Cars: Citroen C5 (X7) Diesel Estate

Previous: Xantia Diesel Estate; C5 MkI Diesel Estate

Wish list: DS 21 Chapron or Usine Decapotable, Chapron Le Dandy, SM (with a Merak SS engine)
x 1

Refurbished rack - steering wheel out by 1/4???

Post by Chapron »

I know there are various posts here about the infamous leaking steering rack in C5s. I have a MkII (2009) and my garage got a refurbished one, but when they fitted it the steering wheel was out of alignment by a quarter.
They got another rack but side by side both look exactly the same so might produce the same problem.

Has anyone else encountered that? If so, any tips / solutions?

Many thanks.
Online
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 36995
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
Location: West Wales
My Cars: C3 Aircross SUV HDi Flair Peperoncino Red (The Chili Hornet)
C5 X7 2.0 HDi Exclusive Mativoire Beige (The Golden Hornet)
C3 1.6 HDi Exclusive Aluminium Grey (The Silver Hornet)
C5 MK II 2.0 HDi Exclusive Obsidian Black
C5 MK I 2.0 HDi SX Wicked Red
Xantia S2 2.0 HDi SX Hermes Red
C15 Romahome White
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Emerald Green Pearlescent
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Polar White
XM 2.0 SX Polar White
CX 20 Polar White
GS 1220 Geranium Red
CX 2.4 Prestige C-Matic Nevada Beige
GS 1000 Cedreat Yellow
x 5644

Re: Refurbished rack - steering wheel out by 1/4???

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Are you talking about the MK III / X7? I suspect you are for 2009. We term them as the MK I for the original, the MK II for the Facelfted MK I and the MK III for the X7 which to all intents and purposes is a completely different vehicle. It makes it easier to identify.

That being said and assuming you have an X7, I suspect you may have the incorrect rack. There are several versions with different steering angles. If you’ve fitted the incorrect one, you will have issues.

They are typically 180 or 184 degrees and differ according to wheels size and / or engine type.

If you want help with the correct type / official parts numbers, then we do ask for a Forum donation to cover our costs - but this will entitle you to ask us for part numbers for up to 2 years. Details below if interested:
A response to your question by a Forum Admin requiring Parts or additional information requires you to have made a current contribution (£10 min.) to the Forum.
To Upgrade Your Membership & Donate Click Here

For Further Information About Parts Information and VIN Numbers Click Here
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
Chapron
Posts: 11
Joined: 01 Sep 2021, 14:05
Location: Denbighshire
My Cars: Citroen C5 (X7) Diesel Estate

Previous: Xantia Diesel Estate; C5 MkI Diesel Estate

Wish list: DS 21 Chapron or Usine Decapotable, Chapron Le Dandy, SM (with a Merak SS engine)
x 1

Re: Refurbished rack - steering wheel out by 1/4???

Post by Chapron »

Thank you Marc,

I'll pass that on.
User avatar
xantia_v6
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 9052
Joined: 09 Nov 2005, 22:03
Location: France or NewZealand
Lexia Available: Yes
My Cars: -
1997 Citroen Xantia V6 (France)
1999 Citroen XM V6 ES9 (France)
2011 Peugeot 308 CC THP 155 (NZ)
1975 Jaguar XJ-S pre-HE (NZ)
x 825

Re: Refurbished rack - steering wheel out by 1/4???

Post by xantia_v6 »

It is also possible that the vehicle in question has previously had a replacement rack fitted and this was the wrong type...
Chapron
Posts: 11
Joined: 01 Sep 2021, 14:05
Location: Denbighshire
My Cars: Citroen C5 (X7) Diesel Estate

Previous: Xantia Diesel Estate; C5 MkI Diesel Estate

Wish list: DS 21 Chapron or Usine Decapotable, Chapron Le Dandy, SM (with a Merak SS engine)
x 1

Re: Refurbished rack - steering wheel out by 1/4???

Post by Chapron »

Thank you Xantia_V6, I'll pass that on.

Thank you Marc. I am sorry but for some reason the last part of your reply became only visible a few minutes ago. I will have to see what the garage come up with, but that is a great offer. I will be more than happy to make use of it if and when I will need it. it is good to have that as a fall-back.
Online
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 36995
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
Location: West Wales
My Cars: C3 Aircross SUV HDi Flair Peperoncino Red (The Chili Hornet)
C5 X7 2.0 HDi Exclusive Mativoire Beige (The Golden Hornet)
C3 1.6 HDi Exclusive Aluminium Grey (The Silver Hornet)
C5 MK II 2.0 HDi Exclusive Obsidian Black
C5 MK I 2.0 HDi SX Wicked Red
Xantia S2 2.0 HDi SX Hermes Red
C15 Romahome White
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Emerald Green Pearlescent
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Polar White
XM 2.0 SX Polar White
CX 20 Polar White
GS 1220 Geranium Red
CX 2.4 Prestige C-Matic Nevada Beige
GS 1000 Cedreat Yellow
x 5644

Re: Refurbished rack - steering wheel out by 1/4???

Post by GiveMeABreak »

No problem - it was me adding this info on - as I was away from home at the time - at least you have this option should you need it.
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
User avatar
Sloppysod
Donor 2024
Posts: 964
Joined: 23 May 2015, 23:35
Location: North Wales
My Cars: Citroens
1 x GS, 1 x GSX (Banger raced), 1 x GSA,
2 x CX Famililles, 1 x CX GTI,
BX, XM, Xantia, C5 Mk1,
C4 (Coupe), C4 (B7),
C5 (X7)

Renault
R4 Van
Fuego
Clio Campas
x 212

Re: Refurbished rack - steering wheel out by 1/4???

Post by Sloppysod »

As Marc & Xantia_V6 have said you definately have the wrong rack, I know this from experience, if you try and 'track' it you will find one trackrod end is right to the extreme of the track rod!
I also agree with the garage, as I could see no visible difference when I lay the correct rack beside the incorrect rack.
Sorry to say, there is no easy (cheap) way out either, I was lucky my 2nd rack was correct and usable.
Does the garage still have your old one?, if so mark it (with paint) and make sure the reconditioners give you the same rack back.
Stu 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

"Some cause happiness wherever they go, others whenever they go"Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)

Major interventions
C5 Steering rack @ 58,000 mi
4 discs & Pads @ 63,585 mi
2 (AM6) oil exchanges @ 58,876 & 72,378 mi
User avatar
bobins
Donor 2023
Posts: 5697
Joined: 05 Jul 2012, 18:07
Location: Midhurst, West Sussex
My Cars: Kia Sportage
Mazda BT-50
Land Rover SIII SWB
V-F-R800
SL320
MX5
x 2871

Re: Refurbished rack - steering wheel out by 1/4???

Post by bobins »

It could be that the pinion shaft was put back in a quarter turn out when the rack was refurbished, the only difference would be where the indent on the shaft sits in relation to the 'straight ahead' position on the rack.
Sadly no longer a C5 owner :(
User avatar
white exec
Moderating Team
Posts: 7445
Joined: 21 Dec 2015, 12:46
Location: Sayalonga, Malaga, Spain
My Cars: 1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive hatch RHD
1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: Refurbished rack - steering wheel out by 1/4???

Post by white exec »

Tip: When marking your own components for refurb/rebuild, mark the item in a way that anyone else wouldn't spot - eg three centre-punch marks in a line triangle, or file a very small groove somewhere.
Chris
Post Reply