C5 Severe Steering Vibration

[Guest flydrive]

Apologies for starting with a question but I have searched the threads that seem relevant but can't find anything that quite fits. I'd also best admit before I start that I am not particularly technically minded. I can deal with basic stuff but finances are now determining that I learn to do the less basic stuff too so please bear with me if I seem a little slow!

 

I recently aquired a 2002 C5 LX HDI 90 following the demise of my old car. The car had been standing for a few years but was put into the garage for a thorough check and MOT before I received it. However, I am now getting problems with it that may or may not be connected. It started with the brake warning light coming on temporarily. Then the suspension adjustment indicator started going out shortly before the brake light flickered on. Finally, around a week ago, I started getting vibration through the steering wheel which has progressively got worse to the point the car is becoming undrivable. I had it into a tyre dealer and had all the balancing checked and where necessary, corrected but that this has made not the slightest difference. They had a quick look but said that if it wasn't the balancing then start looking towards suspension problems. The strange thing is that every now and then, it sorts itself out and once again, gives me the smooth ride that Citroens are known for. Unfortunately, those moments are brief before the vibration kicks in again and there seems to be no common factor involved. The only thing that I have noticed is that long sweeping right hand bends seem to improve things temporarily and that the brake warning light has stopped coming on. At it's very short term best, it's fine and at it's worst at slow speed, it feels like the wheel is about to part company with the vehicle but in the main, it's like driving down a very long cobbled road. On the plus side, I've very little chance of falling asleep at the wheel and my arms are becoming beautifully toned but I can't carry on like this. Being female and having recently moved to a new area, I am reluctant to take it to an unknown garage without at least some idea of what may be causing the problem. My instincts are pointing towards steering/ball joints, (forgive me for the probably incorrect terminology) but is it more likely to be suspension?

 

Once again, apologies if I am missing the blindingly obvious here but any advice would be gratefully received.

 

Thanks

[iannez]

you need to get the driveshafts checked. if the outer pot joint is worn it could be hitting a tight spot when rotating and pushing the road wheel out over. might also be the reason why it sorts its self out on certain corners.

[Guest flydrive]

you need to get the driveshafts checked. if the outer pot joint is worn it could be hitting a tight spot when rotating and pushing the road wheel out over. might also be the reason why it sorts its self out on certain corners.

 

Thanks for that iannez. I'll get it in to be checked. Pushing the road wheel out over certainly seems to fit the way the car currently feels.

[Guest alandt]

I had a similar problem with my 2.0 HDi estate - only cured when rear wheel bearings were changed! Worth a check?