Xantia-Clonk on Steering.

XantiaJon · Unread post by **XantiaJon** » 25 Apr 2006, 15:49

When I turn left my Xantia Clonks just after going past the centre point, I can feel it through the steering. It doesn't do it all the time, or when first driven from cold. I had all the steering checked, couldn't find any excessive wear, but no clonk was occuring at that time!!! Sounds like it's from the steering column? Any thoughts?

WELSHVIKING · Unread post by **WELSHVIKING** » 25 Apr 2006, 17:04

Hi, I have excatly the same problem on my 1996 xantia, the only thing the guy who services my car could find was a worn NSF driveshaft, which i have now got but because i have been in hospital i have not had time to fit yet. Do you get a noise which sounds like a wheel bearing has gone which increases and decreases with car speed, i had all my steering checked inc wheel bearings to investigate this steering wheel knock and whirling sound and the driveshaft was all that was found to be dodgy, not sure if these 2 noises have anything in common mind...Colin

rory_perrett · Unread post by **rory_perrett** » 25 Apr 2006, 18:29

Not much use - but I have the same thing but when turning both ways at slow speed (parking etc) this is on a 98' 2.1TD. Started last year at about 160k miles just before the MOT. MOT guy couldn't find anything wrong even though told him about it and ask if he would have a good look. Not really got any worse, now at 190k and off to MOT again end of next month so I will mention it again. I did suspect inner track rod ball joint but can't find any excessive play anywhere in the suspension.

Rory

XantiaJon · Unread post by **XantiaJon** » 26 Apr 2006, 11:19

WELSHVIKING wrote:Hi, I have excatly the same problem on my 1996 xantia, the only thing the guy who services my car could find was a worn NSF driveshaft, which i have now got but because i have been in hospital i have not had time to fit yet. Do you get a noise which sounds like a wheel bearing has gone which increases and decreases with car speed, i had all my steering checked inc wheel bearings to investigate this steering wheel knock and whirling sound and the driveshaft was all that was found to be dodgy, not sure if these 2 noises have anything in common mind...Colin

No the only noise I get is the Clonk on turning left, I too had mine checked, at the time the noise only happened once & it seemed to be from the top of the steering column. The bloke who does my servicing couldn't find anything wrong. As the noise doesn't normally happen until the car is driven for a bit I was wondering whether it could be something to do with the Power steering?

watsoft · Unread post by **watsoft** » 26 Apr 2006, 12:26

I don't know if this helps, but I have a similar problem on my Saxo, sometimes in both directions.

A mechanic friend of mine said that it's a common fault on Citroen and is caused by the failure of a bearing at the top of the front suspension strut. What happens is that you turn the wheel and the strut turns, but the failing bearing does not allow the suspension spring to turn with it. The tension in the spring is increased as you turn the wheel further, until it overcomes the sticking bearing and the sping turns and causes the clunk.

If this is the case, you need to remove the strut, compress the spring and replace the bearing.

rory_perrett · Unread post by **rory_perrett** » 26 Apr 2006, 19:21

No springs on Xantias - but I like the theory, is there anything else that should rotate with when steering that might stick before letting go suddenly?

Rory

Clogzz · Unread post by **Clogzz** » 27 Apr 2006, 13:51

Yes, the rubber strut tops.
They can let go and hit the bonnet.
With the wheels in the straight-ahead position, check that both are at the same height under the bonnet.
If one is a bit high, it's about to break.