Steering Wobble On '97 1.9td

[Guest Markb3]

Hi, nice forum you have here :(

 

I wonder if you Citroen experts could give me some ideas as to what could cause an extreme wobble on my Xantia. The steering wheel wobbles a good 2" at low speed which gradually diminishes as you increase speed. It also pulls to the right.

 

I know the drop link is worn but I can't imagine this would cause it ??

I also just saw that the front pads are badly worn and need replacing along with the discs.

 

When I had the suspension to the max height I saw that the rubber gaiter had dropped off the top mount. I reattached it to stop dirt ingress. While it was down though I noticed the rod was moving a bit as the wheel was turned. I assume that is due to the angle of the 'damper'.

 

I swapped the wheels front<->back and no change.

 

Are there any common problems with the Xantia that could cause a wheel wobble ??

 

Thanks

Mark...

[Guest Colin Hunter]

Hi Mark.

 

Could be worn wishbone bushes coupled with possible steering misalignment affecting the geometry. No real experience of this, but I did notice a VERY small wobble on my '98 HDi when pulling away with lock on. This phenomenon disappeared after I had the wishbone "D" bushes (Rear wishbone mounts) done after an MOT failure.

 

Do you have any rattles other than the Drop link? Are you absolutely sure it IS the drop links. This could also be coming from a worn track rod end and that could possibly cause the type of movement you describe if your wheel balance isn't 100%. Other than that. No Idea!

 

Try Ebay for replacement drop links. £14.90 for a pair! also a good source of brakes and other parts. Also GSFcarparts.com

 

Cheers Hope this helps :(

[Guest Markb3]

Thanks Colin. Yes I'm sure it's the drop link that is knocking, I can move it by hand.

Thanks for the Ebay tip. I have used GSF before to get the glow plugs although I still haven't fitted the one behind the injection pump :(

 

I did try to see if I could see any movement in the LCA bushes but it's difficult to look and manipulate the wheel at the same time. I would have asked my partner to wiggle the wheel but she's not very strong. I might get it on a stand tomorrow at work and get someone to do the honours.

 

I first thought it could be the strut mounting and £150 doesn't sound good :D

 

Hopefully it will turn out to be something simple. The rear bush is only around £15 but probably a PITA to press in ??

[Guest Markb3]

Well :o :blink: :lol: I don't believe it!

 

I had only swapped the OS wheels as that was the side with the knock (drop link) which I had assumed may have progressed to something worse. Also it was pulling to the right.

 

I changed the NS when I got home from work and it cured it. I have never felt a wobble as bad from a wheel/tyre problem but I really should have tried the simple stuff first...I would have never thought it could have caused such a wobble though!

 

Now to get some new tyres and make sure everything is balanced properly, get the tracking checked too. Then it's the drop link and pads/discs to do.

[Guest Colin Hunter]

Yes.

 

Wheels/tyres can throw up some pretty bizarre faults. I chased a rear brake judder on the Lads ZX for ages. Rebuilt the (Drum) brakes 3 times, changed wheel cylinders, wheel bearings, the whole bit. It was only when it got an advisory for an unevenly worn tyre at the MOT that I put on the spare and the problem went! Got a new tyre on the same rim and replaced it and Lo & behold! the problem was back. Tried the same rim/tyre combo on my neighbours ZX and his rear brakes juddered! Problem was the wheel rim rather than the tyre. It was weird because the wheel balanced up OK and there was no sign of imbalance or juddering when driving. Only under braking! Very Odd indeed!

 

Glad you've got to the bottom of it. :D