MOT work, steering rack dampener - have I been had? ^^

D.Slatford · Unread post by **D.Slatford** » 25 Sep 2006, 18:01

Just paid for some costly repair work on a 1.9TD MKII Xantia, to get it through the MOT.

Had a whole suspension arm replaced due to worn balljoint. I'm sure once before, I had just the balljoint replaced on an earlier model. Is the balljoint at least sometimes part of the arm, or did they just go for overkill? The arm cost £85. Ouch.

Also, one CV gator and one steering rack gator have split. The work ended up costing quite a bit more than quoted for the steeting gator. Apparantly, it has a dampener fitted which needs dismantling before the gator can be replaced. I've never really had to touch the steering parts, are they being truthful? What and where is the dampener, and what does it dampen?

jeremy · Unread post by **jeremy** » 25 Sep 2006, 18:19

Xantia racks in common with other Citroens have external rams which by and large work well. They do however make gaiter replacement a little more difficult as its necessary to remove the ram to get at one side.

I think the balljoint is in the hub carrier - and is generally rather difficult to get out - and is best done with the hub carrier off the car. The ancient art of re-bushing steering wishbones seems to be a thing of the past - with many parts manufacturers offering ready bushed replacement arms at a reasonable price.

Getting bushes out can be very difficult without a substantial press - and many mechanics do not have suitable presses - so its either saw through the old ones with a hacksaw and force them out (often not easy) or fit a ready made replacement.

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 25 Sep 2006, 18:50

Surely a worn hub/swivel balljoint doesn't have ANY influence over a lower
wishbone and it's replacement, apart from actually going through it against
it's taper - it depends how the guys have specifically described the
replacement parts; when fitting new bushes into the pivot of the lower
wishbone it could be just as cost effective a repair fitting a whole new handy
arm taking into accout the labour charge for fitting new bushes into it.

The steering rack gaiter sounds like it must have been the nearside - this
needs the rack's disconnection off the cross member as Citroen bizarrely
had a fastening through the gaiter!

Andrew

citronut · Unread post by **citronut** » 25 Sep 2006, 22:06

as Jerremy said to replace the rack gaitor on the N/S of the rack it dose need the power steering ram to be removedthis ram is not a damper,it is what moves the rack from side to side when you turn the steering wheel,which is a bit of a pain,know the lower swivel joint is actualy srewed into the bottom of the hub,the onlt part that needs removing from the lower track control arm is the swivel pin wich is just a tapper that needs spliting,the arm stays on the car
regards malcolm

D.Slatford · Unread post by **D.Slatford** » 26 Sep 2006, 20:18

Well, the generic garage I used couldn't do the steering gaitor today, due to the whole ram having to be removed (Yes, it is the nearside). It's booked into a Cit independant in Armley (Leeds) for another three figure sum, buh. At least I know the work is actually rather involved this time, thanks all.

I'll also have them steam clean behind the engine to try and trace the oil leak. It's pretty black and wet behind that. I hope that's nothing too serious!

(Thought - might the gaitor(s) have deteroriated due to the leaked oil soaking them? Never had gaitor trouble on any Citroen before..)

citronut · Unread post by **citronut** » 26 Sep 2006, 20:28

usualy oil leaking down the back of the engine is the cam cover gasket,easy to fix not so easy to get at though
regards malcolm