Steering Problems

[Darren862]

Hi, this is my first post here. Sorry its a problem. I have tried searching but failed to find anything I think may be the same issue.

 

My wife has a 52 plate 1.4 diesel c3 exclusive. It has been an absolutely superb car up until about 6 months ago. When turning left, during normal driving speeds, it is fine. Around right hand bends it's a different story. Its almost like it aqua-planes. It under steers to start and then turns sharply. I have have springs replaced and jad steering and suspension fully checked out at 2 local garages. They both confirm everything is in good order. Neither can explain why it's happening and why the drivers side front is wearing quicker on the outside edge. Hope someone can help please.

[paul.h]

Welcome to the forum.

 

It could be a tracking problem or a problem with the electric steering rack motor. If you go to a garage you would be better using a Citroen one to have it checked. If the tracking is adjusted it should be equal over both sides so the number of threads visible where the track rods ends are fastened to the rack are the same at each side.  As a first step though you could try a battery disconnection and reconnection since this sometimes fixes odd electrical problems. If your front coil springs have broken these are often replaced free by Citroen, we had them replaced on our 2003 C3 and the rear ones on our current 2010 C3 without having to pay. The replacement springs should both have the same colour bands on them as the old ones or the suspension will behave differently.

 

If you decide to try the battery disconnection, the following is from the Common Problems pinned topic:

20. Odd electrical problems caused by wrong battery disconnection procedure.

If you need to disconnect the battery and not do a BSI reset procedure, I have found the following has not given me any problems on a 2004 and 2007 C5 and a 2003 C3:

- remove the ignition key from the car

- open the bonnet

- wait a few minutes for the BSI to shut down

- disconnect the battery negative terminal

 

When reconnecting

- ignition key out of the car

- reconnect the battery

- wait a few minutes

- insert the key in the ignition and wait a minute

- turn the key to the first position and wait a minute

- turn the key so the dash lights come on and wait a minute

- start the engine

- take the windows down and up to reset the anti pinch

- reset the clock (and radio on the C3).

[Darren862]

Thanks for the reply and welcome.

 

The car has done 123,000 miles so I don't think Citroen would replace the coils springs. I will try the battery but I don't think that would solve the problem. I drove it last night and as I was going through a right hand bend at low speed I accelerated. I was in a highish gear so fairly low revs. It caused understeer. In my mind it's like there is no traction. That has got to be suspension surely??

[paul.h]

This topic on the steering motor is worth a look:

http://www.citroen-owners-club.co.uk/citroen/topic/21737-electric-power-steering-problem-pulling-to-one-side/

[Darren862]

Good interesting read. Thanks. Sounds complicated though lol