Xsara rear suspension clonking

jimleigh · Unread post by **jimleigh** » 14 Mar 2004, 19:07

1999 V reg Xsara HDI 112,000 miles, rear O/S clonks on rough roads, seems to be worse when the car is lightly loaded, but is o/k when cornering & going over big bumps.
Having read through previous posts I expected the problem to be the rear subframe mounts which I have just changed but the clonking is still present.
The wheels do not lean as my previous BX did, however there is a big difference in the ride heights i.e. top of tyre to underside of wheel arch L/H side =80mm R/H side=43mm.
Any advise would be greatly appreciated including what the ride hight should be?

Dave Burns · Unread post by **Dave Burns** » 15 Mar 2004, 02:34

Have all four rear mounts been changed or just the two rear ones.
If you have measured the height difference on perfectly level ground and given it a rock or two to settle it, there is either a problem with a torsion bar going weak or the trailing arm bearings are going bad due to water ingress.
Could also be a problem with a damper but very unlikely, you'll just have to examine it to death untill you find out whats wrong.
Try raising the rear of the ground, wheels off, and disconnect the dampers, there will be some ease of movement in the arms which may give a clue as to the state of the bearings, you can also make further measurement that should show any real difference in the torsion bars with the suspension fully unloaded, unbolt the anti roll bar bracket from the arm on one side so it doesn't influence things.
Dave

greg · Unread post by **greg** » 15 Mar 2004, 16:43

The bearing can be a bit of a nightmare.There is a fix on teh archive section. Apparently it can be no problem but if it is it can require the repalcment of the whole rear assembly. Citroen quoted me about 1,200 if the tube and arms needed replacing. the cross tube is £500 and each arm is £180 plus fitting plus VAT. the bearings themselves are only about 5-6 pound each from GSF. Wish me luck My pet mechanic is about find out!
Greg

goose · Unread post by **goose** » 15 Mar 2004, 18:03

i had a simular fault with mine found that the trailing arms were buggered so i had a recon axle solved the job and no messing around doing bits at a time

greg · Unread post by **greg** » 15 Mar 2004, 20:38

Dear Goose .Where did you obtain the recon from?
Regards Greg

jimleigh · Unread post by **jimleigh** » 16 Mar 2004, 01:10

Thanks for the replies, I replaced all 4 mounts, I also removed the O/S dampner and tested it as per Haynes manual i.e. several long strokes followed by several short strokes resistance feels the same so I considered it to be ok.
I didn't think GSF sold the arm bearings or the dampeners for the Xsara? can anyone confirm?
How difficult is it to replace the arm bearings in the axle tube? I did this job on a BX a few years ago, but I think it was easier because they do not go blind into a tube.
Regards jim

goose · Unread post by **goose** » 16 Mar 2004, 01:17

dear greg
lol
i got it froma scrap yard in south wales called goodlife spare and i had one of my mates who i work with strip some bits down and grease em up etc
so it wasnt totally recon but the majority was
and i had brand new wheels bearings on her too at the nice price of £180

greg · Unread post by **greg** » 16 Mar 2004, 11:35

Thanks Goose
Greg