Xantia - Replacing strut tops and hydraulic pipes

[Rhothgar]

That confirms it. Well done in finding those photos.
You are right: those polyurethane foam stops do turn to powder over the years.

Oh dear. Reviving age old threads. It's better than me starting a new thread.

When these bump stops deteriorate, does the lead to a knocking sound?

[GiveMeABreak]

They do deteriorate over time.

See the pictures of a C5 one here:

viewtopic.php?p=581397#p581397

[Rhothgar]

Not clear if they are rear ones of front strut ones.

If the front ones deteriorate does it readily cause a knocking? It would be lovely if the car would be silent. It would have almost dreamlike qualities again... Not quite BX/CX/XM but getting there.

[GiveMeABreak]

They shouldn't as these are just bump stops that the car will either rest on for those without anti-sink, or when landing heavily over humped bridges / dips.

[lancia58]

Not clear if they are rear ones of front strut ones.

If the front ones deteriorate does it readily cause a knocking? It would be lovely if the car would be silent. It would have almost dreamlike qualities again... Not quite BX/CX/XM but getting there.

These are front ones. They do deteriorate.

[Rhothgar]

Not clear if they are rear ones of front strut ones.

If the front ones deteriorate does it readily cause a knocking? It would be lovely if the car would be silent. It would have almost dreamlike qualities again... Not quite BX/CX/XM but getting there.

These are front ones. They do deteriorate.

When they do, does it cause a knocking do you know? That's what I am trying to understand.

[Rhothgar]

They shouldn't as these are just bump stops that the car will either rest on for those without anti-sink, or when landing heavily over humped bridges / dips.

Do you mean by that if the front ones deteriorate sufficiently it shouldn't cause a knocking? Each pothole here is like a humped back bridge.

[GiveMeABreak]

What I was trying to say was that the bump stop would only come into contact if the vehicle was at it's absolute lowest setting (like when you lower the car to it's lowest height) and I can't really see how a pothole would do that unless it was so deep that the whole wheel went in and the force from exiting the hole compressed the strut right up into the body...

The only time I've managed to come close to hitting the rebound with hydropneumatic was in a Citroen GS, fully laden with 20 cases of beer, boxes of wine and spirits on a trip back from the cash & carry. Totally loaded to the ceiling! What a work horse, but the only time it really sunk at the rear was going into a dip where the weight really pressed down on the car.

But back to your issue a pothole or sleeping policeman can emphasise a problem with a bush or joint quite easily and make a clank or knocking under the weight of the vehicle and the extra travel.

Although a totally different car with multi-link setup, my X7 did this when braking hard, accelerating hard or going over a hump - making a clunking noise. It was a worn lower arm bush which caused the free play and metal to metal clunk under duress.

These are not always easy to replicate with the car up on a ramp - as it can take some serious effort to move these parts enough to check if they are worn without the full weight of the car and the forces in motion.

[Rhothgar]

Your beer cases story reminds me of the time I had 500kg of plasterboard and plaster skim in the back of my BX Estate. It's fair to say it struggled on the journey home from the builder's yard.

I would have thought that my knocks were to do with bushes but an MOT tester mate said he would pass it! Perhaps it's just as well if it fully strip and repair all bushes, ball joints and tie rods as a matter of course.

Not normally one to waste money on doing things unnecessarily but in the absence of being able to identify where the noise is coming from at the front what else can I do? There was some decent movement I felt with a 18-24" lever with very light finger pressure and I mean light! Lightly touching it but he said it was fine (though he didn't feel it himself so not sure how he could really properly gauge it). I try not to get him too involved as he is very kind to lend me his facilities and he's not really interested in old cars let alone Citroens.

[GiveMeABreak]

Yes this will be a difficult one, but needs somebody prepared to investigate it properly if you want to get to the issue. Otherwise, allow the fault to develop and see if it becomes more pronounced which may make it a bit easier to locate in future.

[Rhothgar]

Yes this will be a difficult one, but needs somebody prepared to investigate it properly if you want to get to the issue. Otherwise, allow the fault to develop and see if it becomes more pronounced which may make it a bit easier to locate in future.

It is very pronounced already. Painfully so.

I perhaps need to get the car on a four poster instead so wheels are loaded.

[KennyW]

I'm amazed you can fix the knocking and play with your matrix at the same time, that's a talent whilst writing on both threads.

Kenny

[Rhothgar]

Yes this will be a difficult one, but needs somebody prepared to investigate it properly if you want to get to the issue. Otherwise, allow the fault to develop and see if it becomes more pronounced which may make it a bit easier to locate in future.

So I went to see the wonderful CitroJim on Thursday.

Oh dear. The front bush does need doing as I suspected but also the front flexible mounting of the nearside rear subframe too!!! You wouldn't believe it. Just hope the part is still available otherwise I'll be trying to stabilise the mount with some silicone sealant. Might actually try that first.

[GiveMeABreak]

If it's any of these, let me have the item number and I'll check what's available:

[Hell Razor5543]

You might find it easier to replace the wishbone (rather than the bushes), as everything will (assuming a decent maker) be lined up properly. If the 'P' bush (item C) is not aligned correctly it will wear out fairly quickly (although I am sure CitroJim would have told you this).