Creaky front suspension strut?

[scarecrow]

Since the snow I've noticed a definite creaking coming from the front ns suspension - it sounds a bit like the creaking when the radius bearings go.

Would someone know of a likely cause for this and possible remedy?

Cheers
Steve

[djm666]

you can try the fluid cleaning way. this might help to remove depostits that can make the struts creak.
i find it best to remove the strut as it does not take much time and clean them out using the full travel of the strut.

you could also replcae your lhm for hydrincage, (hydraflush) you can buy it from GSF at a good rate. and i found this helps a lot.
I would most probebly try this first as i found it will help and you always want fresh clean fluid. and while your there just do the lhm tank filters??

it all depends on how you want to go about it and how keen you are.

[scarecrow]

Thanks for that - I'll have a word with the garage to see about getting a flush. The hydraulics are getting just a little lazy so it could be worthwhile all-round.

Cheers
Steve

[toddao]

I solved my recently creaking struts by removing the plastic covers and greasing the silvery part ( tech speak!) - has worked a treat. But I suppose it depends on the amount of wear they've experienced.

[Aerodynamica]

It might not be the strut - the suspension arm bushings can go dry and make creaking noises. Ditto for the anti roll bar bearings - these have plastic half shells that need grease otherwise they make their presence known this way.

If it's the anti roll bar bearings, they need to be semi dismantled (not easy access) and upon reassembly, the clamp forcing the spring to each bearing needs to be tightened after the springs are compressed and you need a Citroen tool for this. I managed this without the tool on the CX but access to it is easier than on the BX.

So I'd check these first.

Also!! another way to grease the struts quickly is to set the suspension on low and use spray grease to spray the strut top through the vent hole at each strut top. When it's fully on low height, you see the strut comes up level with the vent hole at each side allowing the thing to be greased directly. I did this and then the old 'Citaerobics' and it worked well (for about a month anyway)

[djm666]

it could well be the bearings in the front arms? even though the bx has not had bearing in the front wishbones since the mark 1.
the later BX's have bushes.
you could be right on the anti roll bar side of things. i have never had problems with the anti roll bars creaking. but in most cases it usually is the struts.

if you cant get rid of the noise after all that replace the front struts. i think you can still get them out of GSF or you can go to pleisades to exchange your struts for rebuilt ones.

i found on my BX that new struts were amazing. and the suspensions was smooth and responsive again.

and of course without seeing or driving the car myself i can only go on what im told.

[djm666]

email for pleiades citroen hydraulics = sales@citroenspare.net
give them an email.

hope this helps.

[MULLEY]

A free tip is to check that the anti-roll bar clamps arent a bit loose & by tightening them up that might stop the creaking.

[rockyrobin]

Since the snow I've noticed a definite creaking coming from the front ns suspension - it sounds a bit like the creaking when the radius bearings go.

Would someone know of a likely cause for this and possible remedy?

Cheers
Steve

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Maybe , Steve if you had a decent car instead of a rubbish BX then you wouldn't have this problem!!!

[djm666]

well you have to go into the ways of diagnosing the fault.

i bought my bx from out of a garden under a tree that failed the warrant of fitness, like you MOT for NZ, it had failed on a bad knocking noise from the front left. but there was no movement in any part of the suspension.
i eventually found that when i disconected the l/h front anti roll bar link the noise went. put a new one on and the noise is gone.

it all depends on how you see and hear what is wrong. you can have a hundred people listen to it and get 100 different opinions.

i would start off by lubricating and cleaning things one at a time over a period of time to see what makes it better.

make sure to only do one thing at a time so you find the fault.

[scarecrow]

Thanks for all the tips.

What's the worst that could happen if I ignore the creak for a while?

Will any wheels fall off?

[djm666]

i dont think so unless the creak is from the wheel nuts.
its all ok i have driven with 3 wheels on a bx. it can be done.
Cx prestige does not like it though. ha ha ha bent disc shield.

[scarecrow]

Oh dear... I once forgot to do the wheel nuts up on an army pickup I was driving (as a civvy) and the wheel passed me on a bridge. Then a landrover full of Gurkhas came along and put it back on for me.

[Defender110]

chuckle chuckle

[djm666]

nice, its not a good feeling identying a wheel as your own as it overtakes you.
i try not to make a habit of it. as i like 4 wheels on my cars usually.
take the disc shield off when you do the trick with a cx or bx though. then you can drive. funny looking though.