C3 Picasso noisy doors

[Ddclutch]

Both front doors on my C3 picasso make a horrible creaking noise from the hinge area when opening and closing. Spraying grease onto the hinges hasn't improved matters.
There is a quadrant shaped box which I think may contain some sort of spring mechanism but with no apparent access for lubricating. Is this a common problem and any suggested solutions please?

[GiveMeABreak]

There are 2 hinge types fitted, the upper and lower hinge.

The lower one is a standard hinge type, but the upper one contains a box type cartridge with what I can only describe as 'coiled leaf springs' inside to provide the resistance when opening / shutting the door.

These are similar to some other models like the C5 X7 and the usual issue of water ingress, rust which causes the creaking I suspect, leading to the eventual break up of the coil which then results in the door losing its resistance. Whether a repair is really practical for most I can't say, but see this link...

viewtopic.php?t=50550

.... this post is specifically for the type fitted to a C5 X7 where somebody has done a tear down. Yours may be similar, but you won't know without dismantling it, but the top ones on your C3 Picasso are just over £100 each to purchase.

[Ddclutch]

Thanks Marc. That link is very helpful and the hinge unit on that C5 looks much the same as on my C3, so it helps to see the internal configuration.

[Rp0thejester]

If water can get in so can a grease can with a nozzle, if not, it would certainly stop water getting in. White is my favourite but we used copper grease on door hinges to prove we've done something

[GiveMeABreak]

The main issue is the spring breaking on these, although they are a cartridge type of enclosure, there is a 'seam' around the middle, that can be covered in some protective grease for future protection, but not a lot you can do if the spring breaks short of DIY repair or replacement. Changing the spring in some door handles is bad enough

[Ddclutch]

Based on this info, I drilled a 2mm hole in the top and another in the bottom of the quadrant canister. I used a the thin tube on a spray can of white lithium grease through the top hole which I then plugged with a plastic stopper ( ex printer ink cartridge refill kit). The hole in the underside is for drainage. I enlarged it to 3mm as I don't think the 2mm size would flow freely.
Door now opens and closes smoothly with no nasty graunching sounds.

[GiveMeABreak]

Nicely done - seems you must have caught it in time and hopefully it will give a few more years service.