C4 1.6 Hdi Rear Suspension Problems

[Ozzy]

Hi All

I am new to this forum.

I have recently bought (2months) a C4 1.6 hdi with 6000miles and it's a Citroen approved car with still 2 years worth of warranty.

I have now noticed that the rear (driver side) is lower by (measured by the dealer) 3mm from ground to arch.

But the problem is the suspension as in extension the "lower" one does not extend fully as the left one. They say they are asking citroen to check if it is a common fault- I sense they don't give a monkey

As they say it will pass a MOT (though not required for another year or so), I don't believe a word they are saying.

I previously had a Fiat for 11 years and as cheap as they are I never had such an issue...

Any suggestions on what to do?

[Phaeton]

But the problem is the suspension as in extension the "lower" one does not extend fully as the left one.

I don't understand this comment at all, but it is quite common for a drivers side of a car to be slightly lower than the passenger side. Most cars are only driven with a driver so the springs on that side get more use, also most roads are cambered to the middle again putting more pressure on the drivers side. Saying that I'm surprised a car with only 6k on the clock is showing such symptoms. Before you measured the 3mm did you check the tyre pressures? If they were only a few lbs different that could make up most of it.

 

Alan..

[Ozzy]

I don't understand this comment at all, but it is quite common for a drivers side of a car to be slightly lower than the passenger side. Most cars are only driven with a driver so the springs on that side get more use, also most roads are cambered to the middle again putting more pressure on the drivers side. Saying that I'm surprised a car with only 6k on the clock is showing such symptoms. Before you measured the 3mm did you check the tyre pressures? If they were only a few lbs different that could make up most of it.

 

Alan..

 

Hi Alan,

I have checked the tyre pressure and it was ok.

Basically by pushing down on the supension both rear dumpers do their job but as they recoil the one I mentioned does it to a less extent and it does not fully extend to the same height as the left one leaving the rear dipped to the right. Just by pulling the arch up by hand anyone could tell that the dumper/coil spring are not working well as the gap disappears!

I hope it makes sense... :unsure:

[Phaeton]

I maybe wrong but I suspect that the car has only been driven with a single occupant i.e. the driver. The offside shock absorber has freed itself up whereas the nearside hasn't. If you are that worried about it, put it in writing to the main dealer so that it is on file. But I suspect that if you do quite a bit of running 2 or more up then it will even up, again assuming if you carry a 3rd person you sit them on the nearside.

 

Alan...