Xsara problem

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JohnD
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Xsara problem

Post by JohnD »

2nd daughter has been on the phone about a problem she's having with her Xsara. Trouble is her car is in the UK and I'm in Spain so diagnosing is difficult. She's noticed that when she drives in reverse, she gets a scraping/clunking noise. Driving forward in any gear is fine. A couple of years ago her undertray fell on the front corner and got smashed. At first she thought it was a reoccurance, but looking underneath all is clear of the ground. I'm hoping she doesn't have gearbox trouble. A brake, clutch or driveshaft fault would surely be obvious both forward and reverse. It seems a garage visit is called for but she was hoping that I could give her a clue as to what the trouble might be. Any ideas?
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Post by addo »

Any chance one of the forum members could eyeball it? jgra1 may be one of the closer ones (assuming the car is in Epsom), otherwise HM or Malc could probably spot the cause quickly.
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Re: Xsara problem

Post by CitroJim »

Has it got rear drum brakes? If it has, sounds like a friction lining has come adrift from one of the shoes...

I speak from experience of exactly the same problem on a 206...
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JohnD
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Re: Xsara problem

Post by JohnD »

CitroJim wrote:Has it got rear drum brakes? ...

No - discs on the rear. Last July I drove the car down to Mountjoy Engineering in Honiton to get a rebuilt axle beam put on it.
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Re: Xsara problem

Post by Peter.N. »

They are not far from me :-D
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Re: Xsara problem

Post by JohnD »

Peter.N. wrote:They are not far from me :-D
Of course! Their workshop is in the middle of nowhere! But once I found it, I was greatly impressed with their setup. As far as daughter's present fault goes, she's arranged for it to go to a local garage tomorrow morning - so we'll soon know the worst.
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Post by addo »

JohnD wrote:Their workshop is in the middle of nowhere!
Understatement of the week, I reckon. :shock:
JohnD
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Re: Xsara problem

Post by JohnD »

The problem is solved. Apparently the n/s front suspension spring is broken. Garage quote is around £200. Big relief really because I feared the worst that she'd be looking for a new gearbox.
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Re: Xsara problem

Post by citronut »

JohnD wrote:The problem is solved. Apparently the n/s front suspension spring is broken. Garage quote is around £200. Big relief really because I feared the worst that she'd be looking for a new gearbox.
sound a bit steep to supply and fit a new spring unless they are doing both
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Post by addo »

I'd assumed the spring would damage the bearing and top rubber; add both them, a new gaiter and bump stop and you're getting up there.
JohnD
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Re: Xsara problem

Post by JohnD »

Just had a text from her telling me she's collected the car. All done. Both springs changed for £235 including the VAT. She sounds a happy lassie.
2010 C5 X7 VTR+Nav 160
1998 1.5 Saxo
1998 Pug 306 1.9D
2018 C4 B7 VTR+
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