C5 noise like oar in rowlock

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birstall
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C5 noise like oar in rowlock

Post by birstall »

Does anyone have any experience of a noise coming from the front end (I think) on a Mk I (2002) C5 Exc estate (60,000 miles on clock) that sounds a bit like an oar knocking about in a rowlock only a bit more muffled. It mainly occurs at very low speed when the car is rocking from side to side. Putting the car in sport mode seems to stop or at least reduce the noise. The noise isn't there all the time. I don't notice it at all when driving at higher speeds.

The car passed it's MOT OK though.

Cheers

Pete
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bencowell
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Post by bencowell »

Sounds like droplinks to me. If you're in Yorkshire, (just a guess from your name), I could meet you in Bradford and have a listen for you.

I can recommend an independent garage in West Yorks who seems to know their C5's.

Ben
Currently driving a 2004 C5 VTR (old shape) and an Electric Kia Soul. Sorry but the electric one is my favourite!
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Citroenmad
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Post by Citroenmad »

Hi,

My C5 had a rattle/knock when on bumpy roads, which seemed to be getting worse quickly. The obvious thing was the droplinks, they are so common on the C5. So ive replaced the nearside one today, with a genuine Citroen part, and the noise has gone! Only one side was knocking so i only did one.

Its very easy to do them yourself if you can, very simply:

Jack up the front of the car, both sides.
Remove wheel

You need a 19mm spanner and a allen key, preferably an allen key set which you can hammer into the droplink and hold with a spanner, as it can round off.

And obviously a new droplink or a pair, at around £25 each.

Once off replace and tighten until the nut stops, put the wheel back on and jobs a good'n!

One way to test if its your drop links, is to put the car in high, put the steering on full left/right lock (depending what side you think it is, or both) get someone to put their hand on the droplink while you rock the car (with the engine off) and see if they can feel the knock.

Chris.
Chris
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birstall
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Post by birstall »

Citroenmad/Bencowell

Thank you both for the advice.

I'll be checking out the droplinks as per your advice on Saturday morning and let you know what I find.

Cheers

Pete
Current: C5 HDI Exclusive Saloon
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reblack68
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Post by reblack68 »

My preferred method for removing drop links is brutal but effective.

I use a spanner or grips to pop one end of the link out of its socket then put a pair of vice grips on the ball. Usually I find I can grip the other end without popping it off.

I'm pretty sure I didn't remove the wheels the last time.
Richard

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birstall
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Post by birstall »

I've checked and it looks like its the nearside drop link.

I'll have a go at the job next weekend.

Thanks again guys.
Current: C5 HDI Exclusive Saloon
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Citroenmad
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Post by Citroenmad »

Your quite right, you dont have to remove the wheels, although i thought i would just to make it easier for myself.

That might be an idea if the allenkey bolt rounds off, although i would try that first, Its much easier to do that than try and pop the link out.

A few days before i replaced mine i sprayed WD40 on both bolts on the link a few times a day, this made it nice and easy when i changed it.

Chris.
Chris
07 Citroen C6 V6 HDi Exclusive - Red
07 Citroen C5 HDi VTR - Red
09 Citroen C3 1.4i VTR - Silver
01 Citroen Saxo 1.1i Forte - Mango Orange
.
93 Ford Mondeo 2.0i GLX
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