C3 Picasso - Left side banging noise over potholes (Suspension is new!)

[nclmatt]

?Hi everyone,
?I need some advice on a very annoying banging noise coming from the front left side of my Citroen C3 Picasso when driving over potholes.
?Here is what I have done so far:
?My MOT was due, and the car passed with zero issues.
?On the left side, I have already replaced the ball joint, drop link, and both the inner and outer tie rods.
?Because the noise stayed, I investigated further and replaced the shock absorber and top mount bearing.
?Right now, almost the entire left suspension is brand new except for the sway bar bushes (anti-roll bar bushes).
?I have read on some forums that the Citroen C4 Picasso has a known issue with subframe bushes causing a similar banging noise. However, I can't find any information about this happening on the C3 Picasso.
?Has anyone here experienced bad subframe bushes on a C3 Picasso? Or is there anything else I am missing that could cause this noise?
?Thanks in advance for any help!

[CitroJim]

No, but as an owner of one of these fine vehicles, I'm watching with interest.

Mine's a very late one with the very low profile tyres. It's frankly a shocker over rough, uneven roads Potholes to be avoided at all costs

[nclmatt]

Mine’s a 2014 model with 112k miles on it, running 195/55/16 tyres. I’m also trying to avoid potholes, but sometimes you dodge one and hit two more instead haha.

To be honest, all the suspension components are brand new, so I’m still not sure what to look at next. I’ve seen a few posts on here about C4 Picasso owners developing subframe bush knocking issues, and I was wondering if this might be the same bad design?

[BarneyRubble]

I wonder is it the engine mounts, specifically the bushing in the lower or lh engine mount? Only reveals itself now that the suspension has been replaced and the car has a firmer ride? When you hit a bump, the jolt now bangs the engine mount and makes the noise?

[CitroJim]

I wonder is it the engine mounts, specifically the bushing in the lower or lh engine mount? Only reveals itself now that the suspension has been replaced and the car has a firmer ride? When you hit a bump, the jolt now bangs the engine mount and makes the noise?

That's a good point Barney

[nclmatt]

The noise actually started before I replaced all the suspension parts, so it didn't just appear because of the firmer ride.
?It is a very heavy, loud banging noise, not a soft one. If I drive over tiny potholes, you can't hear it at all. But when I hit a bigger pothole, it is incredibly loud.
?I actually have a sound recording of the noise. I am not sure how to upload audio directly to this forum.

[Paul-R]

I don't think the forum software will allow audio files, it certainly doesn't accept video.

The best I can suggest if it's actually a video recording is to upload it to YouTube and then post the link here. If it's only audio (MP3 and the like) these are not allowed on YouTube and you'd have to find some way of converting it into a video file that YouTube will accept.

[xantia_v6]

The noise actually started before I replaced all the suspension parts, so it didn't just appear because of the firmer ride.
?It is a very heavy, loud banging noise, not a soft one. If I drive over tiny potholes, you can't hear it at all. But when I hit a bigger pothole, it is incredibly loud.
?I actually have a sound recording of the noise. I am not sure how to upload audio directly to this forum.

You didn't say what type of engine you have, but your description of the noise reminds me of a noise which we had on a petrol 308 which turned out to be the fuel vapour carbon filter which is part of the fuel tank had come loose and was hitting the floor of the car on large bumps.

The noise had me searching for a collapsed bushing or loose subframe or broken spring.

[CitroJim]

Another potential is the exhaust system hitting the body somewhere Give it a good shaking.

[nclmatt]

Thanks for your advice! It's a 1.6 petrol engine. I'm going to book it in for a check soon and will tell them to look specifically at those things. Hopefully, they'll find the issue. I'll come back and let you know the outcome. Thanks again for all your suggestions!