Citroen C5 X7 front clunking noise.

[GolfMk1Vr6]

Hi!

My 2012 C5 X7 with hydraulic suspension has a front clunking noise on bad road surfaces/ repeated road imperfections. I feel the clunk coming especially from left driver side at the feet/ pedals level.

I have replaced all the bushings/ joints/ arms/ links as you can see in the photo, and i can still feel it, at a lower level than before but it still exists.

Is there any chance that the noise may come from the steering pinion? The shaft that it goes with steering column?

I really don't know where to look at since everything is new

Thanks in advance!

[wurlycorner]

Have you looked at the subframe mounting locations to check nothing loose/bush there is not collapsed?

[GolfMk1Vr6]

Hmm i don't really know what the subframe mountings look like, can you show me a photo?

L.E: I found some pics on Google, unfortunately i don't know if everything is allright there, i guess the only way to check is to remove the subframe once again right?

Thanks!

[davoxx]

Was the strut changed? The top bolts could be loose.

[GolfMk1Vr6]

Was the strut changed? The top bolts could be loose.

No it wasn't replaced, everything is fine there.

[aerodynamica]

I'm working on the steering rack right now but preciously found a similar knocking caused by the steering rack actually being loose on the subframe. There are those 2x fixings in the subframe that had become loose. Easy check from underneath

[GolfMk1Vr6]

I'm working on the steering rack right now but preciously found a similar knocking caused by the steering rack actually being loose on the subframe. There are those 2x fixings in the subframe that had become loose. Easy check from underneath

Those are the 2 fittings that if you overtight them the steering will be hard?

[aerodynamica]

I'm working on the steering rack right now but preciously found a similar knocking caused by the steering rack actually being loose on the subframe. There are those 2x fixings in the subframe that had become loose. Easy check from underneath

Those are the 2 fittings that if you overtight them the steering will be hard?

It's only the 2x fittings that attach the steering rack to the sub frame. I don't think they affect how hard the steering will be.

Mine were loose and the steering knocked.

This only happened because a bad garage failed to tighten them when the first leaking rack was changed.

[wurlycorner]

Hmm i don't really know what the subframe mountings look like, can you show me a photo?

L.E: I found some pics on Google, unfortunately i don't know if everything is allright there, i guess the only way to check is to remove the subframe once again right?

Probably - although you can check torque on the fastenings without removal and you may be able to check for excess movement with a pry bar between subframe and body, with it still fitted.

[GolfMk1Vr6]

My mechanic identified a play on the steering rack pinion, he said that the clunking noise cannot come from a subframe with torn bushes.

Have you ever heard a hydraulic rack from C5 to clunk on bad road surface?

[aerodynamica]

I think mine is clunking. I'm soon going to remove it and I'll find out

[GolfMk1Vr6]

I think mine is clunking. I'm soon going to remove it and I'll find out

I will refurbish the steering rack next week, keep you updated.

[aerodynamica]

I think mine is clunking. I'm soon going to remove it and I'll find out

I will refurbish the steering rack next week, keep you updated.

Have you had any success with this?

I have removed the steering rack at the weekend , refurbished and modified it (updates to follow on another thread) and refitted and the car is driving. I still get the same clunk.

I replaced both inner steering joints, outer track rod ends, rebuilt the rack after checking the rack internal bushings for play, tightened the pinion spring plunger a small extra amount - steering is slightly tighter to move than before. And of course, tightened the 2x mounting nuts to 140N.m. all of this I'd think would eliminate the steering rack from the blame..

On the front axle the inner control arm bushes were changed (all4) last year, the outer lower bush, anti roll bar droplinks.

I am unsure where else can cause a knocking. The upper arm bushes, to me I feel these wouldn't cause a knocking but I could be surprised....

I looked at the anti roll bar bushes and couldn't detect any movement in them.

It only seems to knock at low speed with the steering turned.

So, I'm not so sure what the cause is. MOT test coming up and perhaps their rolling road test will show something.

[kantica]

Is the nut (Nr. 32) of the upper ball joint (Nr. 12) tight ? Check and re tighten it. Otherwise check play in brake pads and caliper.

[aerodynamica]

Is the nut (Nr. 32) of the upper ball joint (Nr. 12) tight ? Check and re tighten it. Otherwise check play in brake pads and caliper.

Thanks, 32 is OK. Very hard to check but this was done last year with the inner bushings renewal. I'll have alook at the brakes