Xantia Estate - muffled clunking noise

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NAM
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Xantia Estate - muffled clunking noise

Post by NAM »

Can anyone shed a light on the latest development with my Xantia Est? When driving over uneven ground I can hear a muffled noise from the front of the car. It isn't a greating sound or high pitched - quite a dull sound and only happens when car is moving. I thought it might be from the suspension but all works well and I had the stuts checked a few weeks ago and they are fine.

Could something be working loose and making the noise? Anyone else had this problem. The noise cannot be heard on a good level road - just when going over a bump.

I've tried turning up the radio but forgot this morning and thought it was getting worse hence my plea for help!

Nigel
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dnsey
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Post by dnsey »

Sounds like the usual anti-roll bar droplink problem.
A quick search of the forum will turn up pleanty of threads.
NAM
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Post by NAM »

Thanks for the reply. Reading the many threads it sounds like this is the problem and hopefully not too expensive to fix.

The issue seems to be in buying the right droplinks and not getting cheap ones. Also making sure they are well greased. The ones on my car have lasted 140K so not bad in £ per mile terms.
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C5 Tourer Exclusive 09/2Ltr HDi (Oct 2012-Sept 2021 146K miles
Xantia Estate Mk2 1.8LX V-Reg/2000 173K miles.
Pleiades
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Post by Pleiades »

Lemforder drop links are as supplied to Citroen but cheaper as they are not in Citroen bags....

I used to get these from Auto Equip pieces in Glasgow, a quick google should find them.

Regards.
Martin.
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Post by andmcit »

Could it not be the lower wishbone bushes or a bottom balljoint?

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Post by f00lzz »

Just replaced mine (V6). O/E ones were ZF Lemforder and so were the ones I got from GSF for £20.0... Easy job, don't forget you need to use a 5mm Allen key in the end of the Ball Pin stud to prevent the Ball Pin from swivelling as you undo or do up the 18mm nut. Oh and don't forget the Plusgas before you start to undo everything.
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Post by RichardW »

Drop links don't normally make a 'muffled' sound though - think ball bearing being shaken in an empty bean tin more like :lol: I no longer bother trying to remove the the nuts - they're almost always seized on, just cut them off with an angle grinder - remember to buy new nuts first though :wink:

I had a soft knocking on a Xantia that took ages to find - turned out there was play in a track rod end - but if you put the car on high and jacked it up the play went away :evil: Check by rocking the wheel with the car on the ground at normal height for 3 o'clock / 9 o'clock play.
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Post by oscarloco »

RichardW wrote:Drop links don't normally make a 'muffled' sound though - think ball bearing being shaken in an empty bean tin more like :lol: I no longer bother trying to remove the the nuts - they're almost always seized on, just cut them off with an angle grinder - remember to buy new nuts first though :wink:
I agree with you, they are awfully LOUD when damaged. Somebody made a comparison of the sound to a machinegun under the bonnet. It couldn't be more accurate.
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Post by reblack68 »

RichardW wrote: I no longer bother trying to remove the the nuts - they're almost always seized on, just cut them off with an angle grinder - remember to buy new nuts first though :wink:
I dislocate them with a large spanner then use a pair of vice grips on the ball. I always make sure the new links are complete and correct first though. :lol:
Richard

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NAM
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Post by NAM »

Problem now rectified - it was a anti roll bar drop link on the off side. Thanks all for replies now I hope for a few quiet months...until next time.

Nige
NEW 50 Shades of Grey C5 Tourer 2016 BlueHDi 2L VTR+
C4 (62) 1.6HDi VTR+ (Feb 2020)
Silver Dream Machine: C4 Hatchback, 1.6 SX HDi (07) (July 2013 - Feb 2020)
C5 Tourer Exclusive 09/2Ltr HDi (Oct 2012-Sept 2021 146K miles
Xantia Estate Mk2 1.8LX V-Reg/2000 173K miles.
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