Hi all,
Bought a 2001 Citroen C5 recently (the 2.2HDi SX automatic hatchback).
Lovely car in all regards apart from a weird sort of "knocking" that's transmitted through the steering column. (Well it looks horrible too of course, but practical family diesel automatics aren't that common, so it wasn't a style-led choice!)
The knocking isn't dramatically horrible and doesn't seem to affect how the car drives or handles, and it's only apparent when going over bumpy surfaces. (There's one stretch of road here where there are three bumps in the surface in quick succession, and that ends up almost like a shuddering effect through the steering.)
It feels like something between the front wheels and the steering column is a bit loose, or has some play in it, or something like that. The steering column and steering wheel themselves are 100% rigid, it's definitely something that's being "transmitted" up the steering column.
I've taken the car back once and the dealer replaced an anti-roll bar linkage (think that was what he said), but that didn't sort it, so it's going to go back in this Friday, this time I'll go out in the car with a mechanic so we can agree on what it is we're talking about.
I'm not overly concerned because the dealer is very helpful and seems content to fix the car under warranty, but I was wondering if anyone here had any ideas upfront?
I see the HJ car-by-car breakdown for this vehicle says "Limited lifespan on link rod arms and heavy on tyres" - could that be related to this?
Thanks in advance for any help,
Mr Chopsticks.
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 31/10/2007 at 13:41
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Lots of things come to mind with a 6yr old car is it high mileage? worn/broken springs,bottom wishbones,ball joints,top suspension mounting,anti-roll bar, it needs to be on the ramp all those are service items no need to worry, good luck
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If the knocking appears to be coming from the column itself then almost certainly this is from a known fault on early C5s (my last one had it quite badly - but I've now moved on to a 2006 VTR and it's perfect) The problem is that a joint in the steering column allows movement and can't be tightened up sufficiently to 'pinch' it. I believe the pinch clamp was made of too hard a metal. The only solution is a replacement column. I think they are about £150 plus fitting. C5 owners who had the modification done said it transformed the feel of the steering. I didn't bother - just lived with it for 5 years, but at the last MOT before I sold it the mechanic put it down as an advisory.
The only other likely reason for a knock is the drop links. They wear out quite quickly under certain driving conditions. They are very cheap and easy to replace.
Early C5s (and 2001 is very early) had many teething troubles most of which should have been sorted under warranty. Watch out for knocks from the back suspension, faulty central locking, back brake calipers that corrode between caliper and backplate causing them to twist round and foul the discs, also electrical gremlins, mysterious error messages etc. A quick cure for many electrical hiccups on a C5 is to disconnect the battery for 10-20 seconds. Works wonders by rebooting the computers! You need to reset clock, radio etc and possible operate central locking a few times to reset the immobiliser (engine won't want to start) - but it can sort many gremlins!
Enjoy your C5!
Graeme
Hope this helps.
Graeme
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Graeme is exactly right. As the knocking problem shows up on loose surfaces its almost certainly the steering column pinch clamp. Where the bottom end of the column slides over the square shaft that forms the connection onto the rack, the clamp is made of plate thats a bit too hefty. When the pinch bolt is tightened up it should squeeze the clamp onto the square shaft. In fact the plate wont deform at all, so although the bolt is really tight, the column isnt gripping the rack. Fitting the modifed column gives a full fix (and much improved steering response)
Trev
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Drop links weak spot on them as it was on the XM cheap to buy and easy to fit.
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