Simon's new Xantia V6 and Leaf blog

[RichardW]

Possibly either the bottom ball joint has decided that a soaking was too much; or perhaps the CV joint has given out. The one on my 307 went just like that - one day OK, the next sounded terrible! Probably here next weekend - potential exhaust replacement on my Sister's Xsara, could do with doing the bottom ball joint on my 307, and still got to do the fuse board on the C4....

[Mandrake]

Hi Richard,

We're off to stay in Aviemore all next weekend so that's a no go but if it's still squeaking after that and I can get away from working on this house we might be able to do something..

No noise of any kind from the CV joints when accelerating on full lock and no splits in the boots so they should be ok ?

I wonder if there could be slight binding in the brakes due to water ingress ? Perhaps the handbrake is not releasing completely now ? (The handbrake cables were already a bit stiff/seized before, so it's possible the sheaths are worn through and would allow water in easily...)

Whatever it is it seems to creak much more when turning the steering when stationary than when accelerating or decelerating so that makes me lean towards the steering rack and/or universal joint which are both probably full of salt water now...

[CitroJim]

Simon, if all avenues lead you to strut top suspicions then I may have a set you can try from my Activa V6 donor but it's a few months away yet...

[Chris570]

My HDi started creaking and it was the track rod end on the n/s

[Mandrake]

My HDi started creaking and it was the track rod end on the n/s

That's good to know Chris, lower ball joints and track rod ends are already on my list of jobs to do...

Strange that it was silent before driving through the flooding (at least no creaking/squeaking when turning the wheel - there was already a clonk from either a steering joint or lower balljoint when hitting certain kinds of bumps) but maybe there is a hole in a track rod end boot and it got filled with water...

[RichardW]

Should be about this weekend Simon, if you want to pop over and we can have a listen. You can bring your rattle gun and we can exercise it on the bottom ball joint on the 307

[Mandrake]

Thanks Richard,

But no time to play with cars this weekend I'm afraid. This house is soaking up most of my spare time...

Sometime after that perhaps. Do you know what size impact socket is needed for the balljoint tool ? (I assume you have the balljoint tool) I haven't even opened the impact driver kit yet so I'm not sure which size sockets it comes with.

[CitroJim]

The usual lower balljoint 'castle' tool uses the same size socket as the hub nut Simon - 36mm

[CitroJim]

I am dreadfully sorry, it seems I have made an unforgivable mistake in saying the hub nut is 36mm.. It would appear this is incorrect and it is in fact 35mm..

A right pedant took the trouble to PM me and tell me of my error.....

I am now going to unilaterally ban myself from the forum until tomorrow morning...

[DHallworth]

If you're anything like me, Jim, finding a 35mm socket was a struggle so a 6 sided 36mm socket does the job just fine...

If that is indeed the case, then I'm sure we can all find it in us to forgive the oracle

David.

[Northern_Mike]

http://www.tool-net.co.uk/p-361907/seal ... tAodJwYAGg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[DHallworth]

Easy enough to find everything online! Different story when you're trying to do something on a Sunday afternoon though

[Northern_Mike]

Easy enough to find everything online! Different story when you're trying to do something on a Sunday afternoon though

It is indeed, though I just presumed Simon might have the time to order one if he's busy doing house things. My tool cupboard is such a mess I have no right to complain about anyone not being able to find something. I couldn't find allen keys to get the engine cover off last week, which led to me using star bits tapped in with a hammer..

[CitroJim]

If you're anything like me, Jim, finding a 35mm socket was a struggle so a 6 sided 36mm socket does the job just fine...

That's likely where my error stemmed from David!

[CitroJim]

In the interests of full pedantry I have just checked and the pedant is right, it is 35mm

But.....

I actually use a 1 3/8" socket....