C5 X7 suspension problem

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Re: C5 X7 suspension problem

Post by Paul-R »

The jiggling from side to side in a lightly loaded wet suspension X7 has been remarked upon here before. It seems to be just the way they are. Some people are more sensitive to it than others.

When I first got my car, and it was still within warranty period, I took a mechanic from the local Citroen dealership out in it. Not only was the problem less apparent when he was there (possibly because of the extra weight in the car?) but the little bit that I could feel wasn't apparent to him.
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Re: C5 X7 suspension problem

Post by Stickyfinger »

Do the "MoT" testing stations use "Shaker ramps" for inspections in Australia ?......multi link suspension is prone to failing bushes being hard to spot....

Image

I am unsure where there is any adjustment on the set-up
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Re: C5 X7 suspension problem

Post by Ceenine »

From Paul_R "this is just the way they are". Well if Paul is correct, from my test run in the car they wouldn't sell one example, it is that bad.

I am still thinking it is a sphere. The first thing to do is to swap them over.

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Re: C5 X7 suspension problem

Post by Ceenine »

Thanks Stickyweed, the exploded diagram doesn't seem to have any adjustment on it. So that leaves stuffed bush(s) or one sphere. I shall check for leaks (from the sphere that is, not from the bushes).
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Re: C5 X7 suspension problem

Post by elma »

Ceenine wrote: 28 Jun 2017, 04:41 Thanks Stickyweed


:rofl2: :rofl2: I like that :rofl2: :rofl2:

From the diagram it does look like a worn bush would be the most likely suspect.
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Re: C5 X7 suspension problem

Post by Stickyfinger »

Stickyweed ......:)

With the type of sphere used on the C5x7 you will not see any leaks if it has failed. The only was to test them is to have them mounted onto tester equipment (or replace them with known good/new ones. This is remember, still cheaper and easier than a shock absorber of a "normal" car.
Spheres do need replacing after time.....the car is a 2011 car so would be/could be very well ready for a rear set anyway I would/could think as it would be with shocks/springs.
Do you have access to equipment so you can depressurise the car ?..........you have to do this before removing spheres. If not, get the dealer/Citroen indi to fit new rear spheres.

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Re: C5 X7 suspension problem

Post by elma »

Would a simple bounce test give some indication of sphere condition in a c5?

Whats the tyre wear like on the affecyed wheel?
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Re: C5 X7 suspension problem

Post by Paul-R »

Ceenine wrote: 28 Jun 2017, 04:37... from my test run in the car they wouldn't sell one example, it is that bad.
Obviously your example is much worse than mine. I seem to be the only one in the family who notices this shimmy. Maybe it's because I'm always the driver and when I bring a passenger it's just that bit better.

I was trying to make the point that even new(-ish) there is a tendency to jiggle. Maybe as parts wear it becomes worse and yours is in that state?
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Re: C5 X7 suspension problem

Post by Ceenine »

Car has done 28000 km (18000miles or thereabouts) only. My tourer has done 92000 km and not a whimper. It is a big sideways movement
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Re: C5 X7 suspension problem

Post by Stickyfinger »

Over what type of road conditions/heat/dust/mud etc ?
Any "clunk" when it happens ?

....I would still be betting on a bush or two rather than a failed sphere as the symptoms/effect changes when loaded it seems from what you say....
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Re: C5 X7 suspension problem

Post by Ceenine »

There is no clunk. When the car moves over an undulation, it feels like the back of the car a shifted a few inches to the left. You sense that you need to steer to the left to compensate.

I spoke to the lady yesterday and she said she had a person in the back seat and it lessen the problem. I suggest that is what you would expect. A bag of cement in the boot would probably reduce it even more.

I will jack the car up on the left hand side and see if I am able to perceive any slop from the bushes. It might not be that obvious in a static test but worth a try. Given the amount of swing at the back I would have thought it should be obvious.

Do you consider that manually compressing on each side can display a stuffed sphere. That is a fair bit easier than taking off the spheres and doing a pressure test.
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Re: C5 X7 suspension problem

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Just worth a mention - have you considered the rear tyres - pressures and compound? What make are they as a matter of interest? The C5 can be unforgiving on some tyres - Uniroyal Rainsports for example have caused issues with me on both the Mark II and the current X7. I was advised against having these again as they just slide about.
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Re: C5 X7 suspension problem

Post by Ceenine »

The tyres are half worn Michelin Primacy. I shall investigate on Service Citroen for the repair procedure for adjusting rear wheel alignment
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Re: C5 X7 suspension problem

Post by daviemck2006 »

GiveMeABreak wrote: 30 Jun 2017, 00:04 Just worth a mention - have you considered the rear tyres - pressures and compound? What make are they as a matter of interest? The C5 can be unforgiving on some tyres - Uniroyal Rainsports for example have caused issues with me on both the Mark II and the current X7. I was advised against having these again as they just slide about.


Im surprised hearing uniroyal Rainsports being slidy. We have, all rainsport 3, 4 of on the 107, two on the front of pig pug, bridgesto e on the back and the back is seriously twitcky in the wet, two on the rear of beryl, never fast enough to try them but they were brilliant on the activa, shaun has 4 on his civic type r and likes them, Kerri has two on the front of her a4 and rates them far more than the previous khumos. The only reason I didnt get them when i recently bought 4 tyres for the 205 was I think the tread pattern looks too modern for it. I love them, as you may see and they are reasonabley priced too, espically in the bigger sizes, eg the 235/45x18 on big pug! I think i was less than 170 for the two.
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Re: C5 X7 suspensioIt;n problem

Post by GiveMeABreak »

It's on the C5 only apparently - several Citroen techs have told me owners with C5s have brought the cars in thinking there were issues and all had the rainsport 2 or 3s on. They just don't work well with the car's setup - after changing the tyres made a big difference, so I won't use them any more on the X7.
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