Steering/suspension Problem

[french connection]

Hi all,

 

I got a C3 1.4HDI 16v Exc 03 plate, I'm having a real nitemare with it and hoping somone can help i've had it from new and its always had a lot of problems with steering & suspension i've had most of the items everyone on here has had replaced.

 

Both front springs (one snapped & dealer replaced both), ball joint, both top mountings, drop links to name a few.

 

Its always been dealer maintained but this time I thought I would try an independent and beginning to think i've made a mistake, recently it suddenly developed a knocking noise which was very load and was heard when I had stopped at say a junction or lights and turned steering left or right made a load series of knocks which when you pulled away it still did it and if I turned left or right as I was driving you could hear it knocking as I was turning.

 

Weird thing was first thing in a morning didnt hear it but on way home from work it would start, and it would make a noise as soon as I set off when I reversed and started to turn wheel it knocked from front.

 

This independent Citroen specialist I took it to diagnosed a worn o/s/f driveshaft and trusting them I had it replaced, they also stripped and cleaned the brakes.

 

However replacing this did not cure it and it came back on again last week, even last night after driving home I got it to make these knocking noises with engine off and me just turning wheel gently left to right, I got someone to do this so I could try and see where it was coming from but couldnt tell which side but it was load noise.

 

It went to garage this morning again and he heard the knockiong noises as I turned steering wheel left to right with engine off, he said it was coming from one of the top bearings which made me suspicious as both top mounts where done by dealer no more than a year and a half ago due to creaking noises.

 

Again I trusted him as I assume he knows what he is doing as they are experienced mechanics, so today he stripped the n/s/f spring etc and replaced the top bearing as he said te old one didnt feel right when he had it off and was stiff to turn.

 

He said nothing else looked to be the cause of the knocking noises so all should be well, but all is not well as I can still make it knock when I pull up at a junction and turn wheel left to right even slightly and it knocks.

 

When its at its worse you can feel it through floor of car, especially last night before it went in with no power steering.

 

I am now at a loss as what to do, I will be phoning them 2mo to tell them that it is not fixed and see what they come up with but in the back of my mind I think maybe I should go back to my dealer.

 

I would really appreciate if anyone has any ideas as to what is causing this knocking so I have some idea myself.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

:huh:

[paul.h]

Sounds as if something is loose or worn. Since this garage has not found the cause I suspect a second opinion/other garage may be your best option.

Possibilities include loose wheel, steering rack mounting bolts not fully tight (I have had this and it gave a loud knock at low speeds on a Saab), worn steering rack, loose wheel hub nut, worn wheel bearing, worn cv joint, worn track rod end joint, worn ball joint, worn suspension arm mounting, loose mounting bolts, worn rubber parts in mountings, worn shock absorber, loose brake caliper.

 

How many miles has the car done and is the noise worse when steering in one direction - if so the wear (if any) is likely to be on the outside of the turn side eg if turning left is noisier then the wear is likely to be the right side since the weight of the car is more on this side.

[french connection]

Sounds as if something is loose or worn. Since this garage has not found the cause I suspect a second opinion/other garage may be your best option.

Possibilities include loose wheel, steering rack mounting bolts not fully tight (I have had this and it gave a loud knock at low speeds on a Saab), worn steering rack, loose wheel hub nut, worn wheel bearing, worn cv joint, worn track rod end joint, worn ball joint, worn suspension arm mounting, loose mounting bolts, worn rubber parts in mountings, worn shock absorber, loose brake caliper.

 

How many miles has the car done and is the noise worse when steering in one direction - if so the wear (if any) is likely to be on the outside of the turn side eg if turning left is noisier then the wear is likely to be the right side since the weight of the car is more on this side.

 

Hi Paul,

 

Thank you for your reply, its done about 52000. No it makes knocking if steering in either direction and seems more likely to be worse when its hotter weather like today.

 

The garage where I have taken it are going to have a more thorough look at it later this week as I am not happy at having spent that money and it not been resolved, if they draw a blank then looks like i'll be going back to main dealer!!.

 

I'm not having much luck atall at minute as i've noticed now its dropping oil since it had that new driveshaft fitted, its never dropped a thing before I suspect its gear oil from when they fitted it so i'll get then to sort this out also.