My BX TZD has developed a creaking noise from the front struts. It has only appeared over the past few days, although ride and handling does seem to be unaffected. I have put the height adjuster on it's highest setting and have checked under the arches, to see if anything looks untoward, but have found nothing.
The sphere were replaced 2 years ago, so I don't think it is these.
Does anybody have any ideas what is causing the noises? And what is the best remedy[:(]
Thanks in advance
Creaking and groaning front struts
-
mark_sp
- Posts: 230
- Joined: 13 Apr 2003, 00:47
It's a common problem on the bx I'm afraid. The struts are showing their age and have worn. The only proper solution is to rebuild or replace with new (or known good used) units. Some people claim to have extended the life of the struts by squirting LHM down the inspection hole but it did not work on my car. If its only just started you have some grace before things get really bad and the struts start dumping large amounts of LHM which will affect other systems such as steering.
Mark
Mark
-
ohms69
- Posts: 136
- Joined: 14 Oct 2003, 01:39
-
AndersDK
- Posts: 6060
- Joined: 21 Feb 2003, 04:56
- x 1
I "cured" mine by injecting a special grease mix down the strut top holes.
I used the following mix :
standard bearing grease
10w-40 engine oil
silicone fluid (those small bottles with a brush under the lid)
The idea is to make the mix just barely float by itself - then it will seep it's way down the strut after injection.
I made enough to fill a small needle injector 2 times (2 x 6cL)
The car has run approx one year / approx 16Kmiles since - and it's been lovely.
If it starts again - it gets a new injection [}:)]
I used the following mix :
standard bearing grease
10w-40 engine oil
silicone fluid (those small bottles with a brush under the lid)
The idea is to make the mix just barely float by itself - then it will seep it's way down the strut after injection.
I made enough to fill a small needle injector 2 times (2 x 6cL)
The car has run approx one year / approx 16Kmiles since - and it's been lovely.
If it starts again - it gets a new injection [}:)]
-
uhn113x
- Posts: 1161
- Joined: 06 Jan 2004, 22:06
- x 3
Hi ohms69
Who rebuilds struts? Most BX owners, sooner or later!
BX struts are not too difficult to rebuild - parts cost about £30 a side. Think there is an article on Gabor's site. Half-days' job per side, including removal and refitting.
If you squirt oil down the sleeve, MOT testers can start muttering things about leaks
If you are tight for time, get a strut from a scrappy and overhaul it.
Mike
Who rebuilds struts? Most BX owners, sooner or later!
BX struts are not too difficult to rebuild - parts cost about £30 a side. Think there is an article on Gabor's site. Half-days' job per side, including removal and refitting.
If you squirt oil down the sleeve, MOT testers can start muttering things about leaks
If you are tight for time, get a strut from a scrappy and overhaul it.
Mike
-
jeremy
- Posts: 3959
- Joined: 20 Oct 2002, 16:00
- x 2
I have heard it said that the function of the struts is sometimes improved temporarily if the centre rod is turned round a boit. Means loosening the top nut of course!
I seem to remember a detailed discussion quite recently outlining the difficulties etc. Probably worth a search.
There is no necessity to do both struts together - unlike shock absorbers (fluid id replaced and the damping mechanism is in the sphere) and on my BX they started leaking 3 years apart. What I can tell you is that the improvement in the ride made the replacing of the second one well worthwhile and I now wish I'd done it before. I purchased mine from GSF and it was genuine Citroen and comes with the return hoses already attached.
From what I remeber of the thread the bits weren't that cheap and then there is the return hose and clip as well. When added up a new one doesn't seem quite so expensive.
jeremy
I seem to remember a detailed discussion quite recently outlining the difficulties etc. Probably worth a search.
There is no necessity to do both struts together - unlike shock absorbers (fluid id replaced and the damping mechanism is in the sphere) and on my BX they started leaking 3 years apart. What I can tell you is that the improvement in the ride made the replacing of the second one well worthwhile and I now wish I'd done it before. I purchased mine from GSF and it was genuine Citroen and comes with the return hoses already attached.
From what I remeber of the thread the bits weren't that cheap and then there is the return hose and clip as well. When added up a new one doesn't seem quite so expensive.
jeremy
-
ohms69
- Posts: 136
- Joined: 14 Oct 2003, 01:39
Thanks chaps,
I may well try the anders Idea of greasing the struts from the top. To be honest this little trauma has made me question the reliability of the hydraulic suspension. On closer inspection it would appear that the return lines are perished and have started to leak. Which would indicate that all of the other hydraulic lines are probably in the same sort of condition.
I feel as if I'm driving as time bomb!
A real shame, because I do love my BX, but I think it may be time to sell up and move onto something a little less complicated...A ZX estate!
I may well try the anders Idea of greasing the struts from the top. To be honest this little trauma has made me question the reliability of the hydraulic suspension. On closer inspection it would appear that the return lines are perished and have started to leak. Which would indicate that all of the other hydraulic lines are probably in the same sort of condition.
I feel as if I'm driving as time bomb!
A real shame, because I do love my BX, but I think it may be time to sell up and move onto something a little less complicated...A ZX estate!