Xantia Judder

glenndaleuk1 · Post by **glenndaleuk1** » 13 May 2007, 08:14

Hi All
I have just started to get a judder at between 35-40 mph on my 97 1.9tdi vsx Seems to get worse when I accellerate then disapears at around 45mph I had the wheels balanced and replaced one tyre, However the judder is still there.It does not seem to be comeing up thru the steering It seems the whole car is shaking. Has anyone encountered this before ? I`m thinking possably drive shafts, How can I chceck them and if so are they differcult to fit ? The car has done 75000miles. On reading past posts I read that top struts can cause the problem,I have checked them and they seem fine no sighns of corrosion or cracking but I did notice that one of the rubber gaters was at half mast. Could this be a sign all is not well ? I forgot to mention I have recently had new brake disks the judder was not there before the fitting of the disks. But Ican`t remember how soon after, the judder started could this just be coincidence ? Thanks

DickieG · Post by **DickieG** » 13 May 2007, 09:46

It sounds very much as if the driveshafts are at fault for the vibration as it worsens under acceleration. If you can, support the front of the car on axle stands and get an assistant to "drive" the car whilst you observe the driveshafts in motion. They should run true so any deviation from that will cause vibration.

They aren't normally difficult to change although the offside one has a middle bearing which sometimes gets stuck in its housing.

Post by **Peter.N.** » 13 May 2007, 15:43

From experience I would say its far more likely to be tyre related. Have you checked your rear tyres? if you have ply seperation, it could cause a bulge and being at the rear it wont be felt through the steering it will just shake the car. Jack the car up so the wheels are just clear of the ground and spin them while observing the gap between the tyre and the road.

Worn inner driveshaft joints can cause a vibration with a high milage, but I wouldn't have thought 75k would have been enough.

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » 13 May 2007, 16:51

Jack up the car one wheel at a time is just free off ground. Then using bricks or wooden blocks establish a reference point close to the wheelrim. Now turn the wheel by hand to recognise any offset damages to the wheel rim. At the same time look close for any un-even tyre surfaces.

Checking for brake disc problems is very easy : if the problem is evident or even worse during braking, then the brake disc is fitted out of true.
A common problem is rust build up between disc and hub surfaces. This must be cleaned off when changing discs.

Check wheelbolts. Preferably unscrew all 4 and re-tighten such you know they are evenly torqued.

glenndaleuk1 · Post by **glenndaleuk1** » 13 May 2007, 17:58

Thanks for the replies I just had time to check the two ffront wheels and tyres today,they were ok. There is no judder under braking so maby that rules out disks. I notice on the rear I have michelins which I am told when worn do seperate. I will have them checked later in the week. But surley if it was tyre related, How does that explain an increase in judda when accelerating ? Thanks

Post by **Peter.N.** » 13 May 2007, 18:12

It doesn't really, the only thought I have is that it alters the load on the rear wheels.

Mandrake · Post by **Mandrake** » 13 May 2007, 21:11

Checked for badly worn engine mountings ?

Regards,
Simon

glenndaleuk1 · Post by **glenndaleuk1** » 14 May 2007, 07:11

Thanks for your thoughts I will keep you posted

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 14 May 2007, 11:37

hi - likely to be one of the inner tri-ax joints, it happend to my friends ZX on about 80-90K and has happened to a few Citroens on here..

car shakes badly, especially under acceleration, gearstick wobbles etc

in my friends case, the needles in one of the tri-ax bearings had dissapeared. Get under car and check for play on both joints...

good luck
John

glenndaleuk1 · Post by **glenndaleuk1** » 14 May 2007, 16:57

Hi John
Sorry to to sound like a right Drrrrrrrrr but what is a tri-Ax joint I`m not familier with it. Are they expensive to replace ? Thanks

glenndaleuk1 · Post by **glenndaleuk1** » 14 May 2007, 17:34

Ok just looked it up. I think you are refering to the bearing that connects the inner cv joint to the outer, am I right ? Thanks

Post by **CitroJim** » 14 May 2007, 22:22

I fully agree on the mounts and driveshaft inners being the first suspects here but if that does not bring forth a cure...

A possibility is worn lower balljoints (swivels). I had a similar judder on my TD and that was the cause although the judder was much more pronounced under braking than acceleration.

I hope not though, they're a genuine nightmare to replace, needing a special socket and three or four weetabix for breakfast.

Wheel bearings are a possibility too, another nightmare.

weety · Post by **weety** » 14 May 2007, 23:32

what about a partially seized brake calliper (or handbrake not fully releasing)..........

glenndaleuk1 · Post by **glenndaleuk1** » 15 May 2007, 16:00

Thanks for all your replies. I took the car in today for rear break pads while I was there I asked the fella to check what he could in the limited time available, he took the car out on test and reported the shaking of the whole car on return. He felt it was originating from the front end possibly n/s somewhere but untill he could investegate further was not prepared to commit himself. It is booked in for thursday morning.

Stewart(oily) · Post by **Stewart(oily)** » 15 May 2007, 16:14

My money is on the Nearside driveshaft then.
Stewart