Vibration Problem - Xantia

Post by **XantiaFT** » 27 Apr 2010, 10:44

Hi all,

I'm hoping you can help. The issue is as follows -

1. Entire car starts vibrating the closer you get to 70MPH.
2. Steering wheel does not vibrate
3. You feel the entire vibration through the bottom of the seat
4. (Possibly linked) Brake pressure slackens after applying even pressure to the peddle. Quickly regains itself.
5. (Possibly linked) LHM fluid seeps from the top rubber seal of the reservoir.
6. MOT passed end of FEB 2010, but advisory notice for universal steering joint. Mechanic stated it should last another twelve months.

What I've had checked so far -

1. Wheels balanced (with appropriate attachment) - two required more than usual, but mechanic states it shouldn't affect the ride as bad as it is doing.
2. Hydraulic system bled due to small amount of air in the system and topped up 0.5 litres
3. Number 2 solved the groaning noise coming from the steering when turning
4. Rear offside tyre replaced due to a fault.

I can describe the suspension quality as normal. It's not stiff in any way and apart from the vibration it goes over all the bumps as it should. The suspension goes up and down as it should and stays put when at its maximum height.

I'm out of ideas, but I'm not an expert by any stretch of the imagination. Would an issue with any parts/components of the hydraulic system be the cause of the vibration? Could air be drawn into the reservoir via a faulty top seal hence causing air to enter the system? Any ideas would be appreciated as it's more than just an annoyance.

Thanks,

Marc.

Post by **Peter.N.** » 27 Apr 2010, 11:10

In probably 99% of cases this type of vibration is caused by tyres/wheels, as yours isn't affecting the steering I would think it would be the rears, balance isn't the only problem, tyres can deform due to ply seperation giving an eccentric shape or or bulge in the tread, this deformation can vary with speed. If you jack the car with a wheel just clear of the ground and rotate it, if the tyre has this problem you will see the gap changing in size. You could try the spare on each wheel in turn and se it it eliminates it.

Peter

Post by **CitroJim** » 27 Apr 2010, 11:10

Hi Marc,

I'd not think the hydraulics are the guilty party here.

My thought would be either a worn inboard CV joint, a worn RH driveshaft intermediate bearing or worn wheel bearings in that order.

It only needs just a tad of wear in the inboard CV joints to cause a lot of grief. This wear is very hard to detect on a static test too..

Another area to check are the engine/gearbox mounts. Depending on the engine, especially if it has the top mount with a torque reaction bar (e.g. 2.1TD, Activa, V6, HDi etc.), failed donuts in the bar/mounts can cause problems.

What engine doesa your Xantia have and what model is it?

Post by **XantiaFT** » 27 Apr 2010, 11:18

I'm pretty sure the tyres are not at fault here. They've been checked by two garages, one of which found the faulty one. I was present when they checked the tyres for shape and defects so know that aspect was checked.

With regards to which engine...it's the 2.0 16v Exclusive...Do any of those parts you mentioned be affected by the universal steering joint or vice versa?

Thanks for getting back so quickly.

Marc.

Post by **Peter.N.** » 27 Apr 2010, 11:26

I have on one occaision had vibration cause by worn inner drive shaft joints, that was on a CX that had coverd 200k + Didn't do it from cold but on a long journey as the joints warmed up and the grease became soft it would start, so as Jim says, worth investigating.

MikeT · Post by **MikeT** » 27 Apr 2010, 13:49

Not on a Xantia but I got a terrible car shake at speed on the way to the MOT last year which was caused by a defective tyre. It grew a bulge presumably in use that very day as I'd checked them all the day before, prior to the MOT.

Best way to eliminate tyres is to replace them with the spare and go for a drive. Looking at them isn't a surefire way to tell IMO.

Post by **xantia_v6** » 27 Apr 2010, 18:41

Hydroactive suspension makes the car very sensitive to wheel balance and tyre roundness. I have had 3 Michelin tyres go out-of-round, causing 70MPH vibration, at different times, but all on front wheels.

Try swapping your wheels front to back. On the V6 I had a somewhat similar vibration, but only under load, due to a failed engine mount.

DickieG · Post by **DickieG** » 27 Apr 2010, 19:21

If your car still has the original Exclusive wheels then I'd strongly suspect them to be out of balance, I had four good quality tyres fitted fitted to my Exclusive estate and then had them balanced twice more at different garages yet still I had a vibration problem. At the third garage the tyre fitter went to great lengths to re-calibrate this wheel balancing machine but still the wheels remained out of balance, in desperation I went to a Citroën dealer who sorted it out first time.

Exclusive wheels without a centre hole are a complete nightmare to get balanced correctly, having taken a close look at the adaptor plate that's fitted to tyre balance machines I can see exactly why they fail to balance such wheels correctly, I can only assume that a Citroën dealer has the adaptor correctly set up for the spacing (PCD) of Citroën wheel bolts.

mezuk04 · Post by **mezuk04** » 27 Apr 2010, 19:42

My ole' ZX 1.9D started vibrating at about 60+, around this time I got the Xantia and gave the ZX to mother. Since she never did any real journeys in it she never noticed any vibrating until she started complaining of a noise and vibration which when I got in the car I couldnt believe.

It turned out to be a 'bearing' of some sort in the area of the wheel, so I assume it was the wheel bearing.

It's been a good few years so I cant remember specifically what it was.

Certainly dont think its anything to do with the hydraulics.

Edhertz · Post by **Edhertz** » 27 Apr 2010, 20:09

Same with my 2.0 exclusive. Convinced it was the tyres so had fronts balanced by ATS but same problem. Swapped rears to front but still the same problem. Thinking about yanking drive shafts off and giving them a good seeing to. The only problem with some of these faults is that they manifest themselves only under load. We will get there in the end!

Post by **XantiaFT** » 16 Jul 2010, 19:05

Just to update anyone reading this one...

...problem was fixed today at my local independent french car specialist garage! The culprit was the nearside lower steering joint. It's been replaced and now the vibration is gone! CV joint, driveshaft, engine and gearbox mounts were checked and were all in order.

Hope this helps someone.

Marc.

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Vibration Problem - Xantia

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