Xantia steering UJ

[RichardW]

Been thinking for a while that the Xantia steering was slightly heavy - especially when driven back to back with the C4 GP! However earlier this week it was dire after you had driven a few miles, presumably because it was hot, and the heat soak from the exhahust wasn't helping - there was about 10 deg in the centre that was OK then it would go really tight and really needed a haul to get it round - which makes nice gentle steering inputs a bit tricky Thinking back to other posts, I thought could well be the UJ - certainly felt like that. So I gave it a good squirt of plus gas and then some spray grease. It was immediately better when cold, but went heavy again after a bit of heat soak. However, now after 100 miles or so, there was no noticeable deteriation last night, and this morning it was very light again, with no change over 30 miles (mind you it was cool and damp this morning). Brilliant - I like easy fixes

I think this ought to be done on all Xantias now, given their age - it only takes 5 minutes, and can be done with the car on the floor - if you're a good shot over 2 feet with the spray cans

[citroenxm]

Im FOREVER saying its a UJ problem when people complain about heavy steering or lumpy steering, but others always jump to Pump Issues, or Air ingress which 9.5 times out of ten its NOT. The lumpy steering is the clue..

I give up in the end, as its useually ignored, so I dont always want to reply. <RANT OVER>

It is becoming a common problem, its a joint thats in a warm and dry -ish area and does get forgotton about.

I removed one once and it refused to free up, even after two months sat in an oil bath!

[KennyW]

I totally agree after my experience with the current motor. My UJ was rusted as a result of living beside the sea which caused excessive wear in the UJ which I first thought was the track rod ends worn, changed, still same problem, thought it was the track rods themselves fortunately I put my hand on UJ and felt the excessive movement. Problem solved and UJ replaced thanks to Robert Smart.

Kenny

PS Just driven the old girl to Wakefield and back for sister's wedding and averaged 55mpg. What a lovely drive and ride experience. I forgot how good it was. Looking forward to our french trip later this year.

[RichardW]

It was largely your insistent posts Paul that made me think of the UJ - Thanks!

The bottom UJ went on my first (2 cyl) Visa. Driving around the M25 with a couple of inches of play in the steering wheel was an interesting experience I'd prefer not to repeat One might argue that driving around the M25 in a 35BHP car with un-servoed brakes is not an epxerience I'd want to repeat either!

Presumably the Xantia one is 'sealed for life' lubricated when it's built, but the heat from the exhaust dries it out evenutally. It might well be that once started repeated applications of the lube are required - we shall see. I might also change the LHM / clean the filters too - been meaning to do it for the last, ahem, 85k miles since I've had it.....

[RichardW]

It might well be that once started repeated applications of the lube are required - we shall see.

Looks like it - it's gone heavy again, despite a liberal oiling earlier in the year (? - can't remember when!). Will have another go at it at the weekend. Wondering about a new shaft - they're still available, but £105 - unless anyone's got a known good low mileage one? What's it like to change?

[addo]

Easy to change, relatively speaking. You'll need to remove the upper column first.

[RichardW]

I remember access to the clamp bolt not being great, and I suspect in the UK it will be made harder by corrosion of said bolt, and the shaft corroding to the pinion valve.... Just keep oiling it occasionally then! It's pretty odd though - it was fine until a few days ago, then suddenly stiff, then it got better again for a day or so, but last night was really stiff and heavy - wouldn't even self centre, which makes life a bit interesting at times!!

[VertVega]

RichardW, my solution was a handful of grease. I used one of those rubber gloves which can be used for waxing job and applied it all around UJ. It worked very good. It was easy to reach from above in a LHD.

[RichardW]

It's a lot harder to get at on a RHD - especially an HDi!! A lot of grease is perhaps a good idea once it has got slackened off again, I've tried spray grease (from the wheel arch) and oil (from underneath) so far....

[citroenxm]

Rubbish!

The UJ is NOT hard at all to do! The bolt DOESN'T appear to sieze in place!

Once the UJ has siezed it takes someun dooing again, and sometimes even doesn't release!

Theres PLEANTY of goo UJ joints here, all not siezed either!!

[RichardW]

Cheers Paul - might be in touch again then....

If it would come out in a hour or so, it's probably worth taking it out to introduce some significant lubricant to it, rather than it just falling on my head!!

[citroenxm]

If your gonna take it off, you may as well swap it for another non siezed one! Once they are siezed they rarely release again!

[addo]

You can get the lower clamp bolt through the wheelarch on high, without removing the wheel.

[RichardW]

If your gonna take it off, you may as well swap it for another non siezed one! Once they are siezed they rarely release again!

You have a PM....

[Eroe]

Thanks for this information, I though I had all sort of expensive kit to have changed on my Vreg Xantia Estate, but it's like a miracle, couldn't believe spraying some high temp grease onto the UJ would work but it did! Easily reached through the wheel arch on high suspension, whilst looking up from underneath. Took two minutes!!! Thank you again. EROE