Shaking Trembling When Accelerating C5 X7 Exclusive

[jaysams80]

Recently replaced the offside driveshaft and drop link. Couple of weeks afterwards the car developed a tremble when accelerating. CV Boot had been split for some time on the nearside so last week I replaced that one too, and drop link.

Both track rod ends were replaced last year. The car still has the tremble, especially between 25-30mph at steady acceleration. Quick acceleration and it doesn't seem to be there.

What now? I've been told to get the car tracked as there has been so much changed down there? Anyone got any ideas?

[jaysams80]

Just to add, the shaking is worse under load having been towing a small but heavy trailer recently.

[paul.h]

It is likely to be related to the off side driveshaft since it started after changing it. Was the driveshaft new and was there an intermediate bearing on it that needed changing ? If you go round a left or right bend does the shaking alter ? Just thinking of anything related to the driveshafts, also were the driveshaft hub nuts tightened to the correct torque of 325 Nm ? Are there any wheel bearing noises, whine/drone when moving which increases as speed increases ?

 

It is probably not related to tracking so if the tyres have been wearing evenly it should not have changed since you did it after replacing the track rod ends.

[jaysams80]

Cheers Paul.h

Both shafts were brand new with a brand new intermediate bearing too. The shimmy tends to disappear when cornering. I will check the torque on the hub nuts as I really should have done after a few drives anyway. The shimmy feels like is on the nearside but it's hard to tell got certain, it could just be resonating from elsewhere. It pulls brilliantly still, cruises nicely at seventy, but is definitely more pronounced pulling away gradually, around 25-30. With the trailer on, pulling uphill is when it's at its worst. I was thinking gearbox or engine mount play, but I think I'd feel it more often if it was.

[jaysams80]

Absolutely no wheel bearing noise at any speed, straight line or cornering.

[paul.h]

My other thought was a problem with the clutch/dmf - how many miles has it done ?

[jaysams80]

89'000 but it had a new clutch and flywheel last October. No pedal judder or slipping, thrust bearing feels fine, lovely and smooth in use.

[paul.h]

You could check the suspension arm bushes are ok, plus any other bolts that were undone when replacing the drive shafts are still tight. For engine mounts, the one at the back should be checked.

 

If nothing mechanical can be found, then maybe it is something that affects the fueling and might be nothing to do with the drive shafts.

[jaysams80]

Going under it today. I'll check everything. I have access to two poster next week do I'll get a better look at engine mounts then. Cheers.

[MikeLane]

My other thought was a problem with the clutch/dmf - how many miles has it done ?

Sounds like DMF to me too!

[jaysams80]

It's bugging the hell out of me. The clutch, as its only 9 months old, feels fine, no slipping, no feedback, no noise. Under heavy acceleration it's fine, and slow acceleration too. Surely a DMF would be worse under heavy acceleration. It's medium acceleration where I feel it and I feel it when coasting around 25-30.

Everything is tight down there around the wheels. Engine mounts are next on the cards.

[coastline taxis]

thats a awful lot af replacement parts for a  car with 90 k on it...   the fault is as paul said its the clutch/dmf.  I know you've said you've replaced it but that  was that all of it or just the clutch/pressure plate and thrust bearing

[jaysams80]

It was the whole hit. Everything was replaced. I'll chat to the guy in the garage who fitted it about the possibility, it will still be under warranty. Don't fancy forking out for the labour again though to get it checked.

The parts were changed as the CV boots were knackered and I'd foolishly let them wear out instead of doing the boots. I changed the drop links as they has to be removed by cutting them with a grinder to changed the driveshaft. The were rusted beyond spanner removal.

[C5-Nigel]

hi I'm New here but we used to have this problem on the old Citroen Xantia, firstly I'd go for the intermediate bearing on the drivers side driveshaft.

if the shaking on acceleration still plagues you it could be the lower drivers side engine mount, they often get oil in the rubber which degrades over time.

we used to call it the donut mount. It is almost directly in front of the pedal box.

 

Im not even sure my MK2 C5 exclusive has one as yet as Ive not seen much above the under tray.

 

This was a common problem with the Xantia every 70 to 80K the problem came back to haunt us again. the vibration was often cured by just replacing the drivers side drive shaft

with a new one and new intermediated bearing but some had to replace the donut mount as well if they left it to long to change the driveshaft.

 

The shaking was worse accelerating up through about 40mph then after that the shaking would stop.

 

if your gear stick is wobbling badly as this happens it is probably more likely to be the engine mount.

 

 a small amount of oil escaping the cam cover would migrate down the back of the engine and soak the engine mount rubber.

Edited August 17, 2017 by C5-Nigel

[jaysams80]

C5-Nigel thanks for that. It's most definitely between certain rev/speed ranges.

I've just remembered when the clutch was done in October the mechanic did note some play in a mount, 10 months on that could well have worsened. I'll get them checked next. Cheers.

[jaysams80]

The wobble has gone. It was due to the car riding much too high at the front (which I knew about) and acting as if it was on stilts. The car height was reset and the wobble has gone.... completely. Happy days.

[paul.h]

I am pleased you have sorted this but I was not expecting what the cause was.

[jaysams80]

Me neither. But it kind of makes sense. The lengthened struts were allowing the car to shake uncontrollably.

Hey, we learn something new every day..