Irritating wobble

Oscar · Post by **Oscar** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 1:21 pm

Have you checked the steering column bearing? In the car, take off the steering column cowling and reach up under the mountings. There's a bearing in there that sometimes comes loose and can be pushed/tapped back into place.

O

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 4:17 pm

Thanks. all.

I have just come back from my (very accommodating) local tyre place and the guy there perservered and now, after much balancing, wheel rotations and a couple of test runs, I can confidently report that 'by Jove' I think he cracked it! The main culprit was the one tyre which has now been replaced. The pressures were raised to 31 psi (which in itself has made a noticable difference from my usual 29). However during my investigations with my local Citroen Specialist, Dennis, who fixed the leak this morning it is now apparent that the steering ram needs replacing, two new spheres on the front wouldn't go amiss and I'll need new front discs which are looking a bit thin.

So expensive day - (but the guys gave me a big discount 'cos they got it a bit wrong first time!) and a few expenses to come. But you know what? I don't care; at least my BX will be fit again...

Way2go · Post by **Way2go** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 5:43 pm

Philip chidlow wrote:The pressures were raised to 31 psi (which in itself has made a noticable difference from my usual 29).

Did this a few days ago myself as the deteriorating condition of the roads these days is detracting from the normal magic carpet ride of the BX. The ride quality is greatly improved!

tim leech · Post by **tim leech** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 5:56 pm

Excellent news Phil, do you not need the alloy then mate? doesnt mater wither way as it means I have a spare.

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 6:02 pm

Well, Tim. It would seem I'm OK for now! I had even considered at one point going back to steels with a new set of 185 60 R14 P6000s on them. So I would've put out a request for trims!

Many thanks for your support!

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 3:29 pm

The play in the steering ram has really given me a headache today - following a 40 mile trip, a big LHM leak - same cause; movement in the ram has fractured one of the feed pipes and it's back to square one. So have to wait now until I can get it fixed. Ho hum. another weekend with a Volvo estate!

Makes me wonder why a suitable aero-like flexible hose isn't used there.

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 3:56 pm

The steel pipes don't often give problems - and aeroquip or similar are only a braided wire re-inforced rubber hose which would probably be well past their sell by date by now. I wonder how much they would cost - look at the cost of the braided heater hoses on a TD!

tom · Post by **tom** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 8:34 pm

Surely a fractured steering feed pipe would cause a nearly instantaneous bleed to death? I don't think that this is the problem somehow.

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 9:28 pm

The steering ram itself wont go flexing. Its the rubber bushings on the ram end fittings that go soft and makes the cylinder flex too much. That will evidently cause the pipes to crack.
These pipes are the standard type brake pipe flared ones - not the special Citroen flared ones with rubber seals.

http://www.citroen-pr.net/catalogues/il ... 425110.gif
04 - 4059.06 - STEERING CYLINDER ARTICULATION - UNTIL RPO No. 03614
04 - 4059.07 - STEERING CYLINDER ARTICULATION - SINCE RPO No. 03615 (Dkr 50,80 exvat)

The ram cylinder will only need to be replaced if it starts pressurising the leak-off rubber cup (item 5) with the clear plastic pipe attached.

In case of difficulty getting spares - try the Peug405 servo assisted steering. Its the same bits used there.

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 11:30 pm

Tom. Sounds dramatic, It was. The fracture has caused near-instantaneous bleed to death, so to speak. The car only went 100 yds before the red stop lights came on! I returned to see the car had left a trail of LHM all the way...

Anders is right, the ram itself isn't the problem it's the rubber bush at one end (the end of the feed lines' attachment) which is allowing the ram to move about. As these bushes are integral with the ram itself it's getting a replacement next week, together with a set of new feed lines. Then all other bushes will be checked 'cos I'm p***ed off and want to see where the wear is, and want to get the front end suspension etc. sorted as much as reasonable in one go.

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 6:36 pm

UPDATE

The car has now got its replacement steering ram. The rubber bushes on the old one had virtually disintegrated. New feed pipes (although only one was leaking. Plus the wheels have all been balanced twice with huge improvement!

The car feels much more taught, and I am pleased. But... (there's) another issue with some (albeit much, much less than before) vibration, still, at around 68-72 mph. I am worried about things like worn half shaft(s) and knackered struts. Am I worrying too much?

Any ideas where I should look next?

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 4:23 pm

Philip chidlow wrote:UPDATE

I am worried about things like worn half shaft(s) and knackered struts. Am I worrying too much?

Any ideas where I should look next?

Hi guys me again - Any thoughts/nuggets of wisdom?

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 4:43 pm

There are 2 types of vibration here - the first is a wheel related one - that can be felt through the steering wheel - which in turn may oscillate when held looseley - and a general roughness or harshness which can be felt in the car.

Drive shaft inner joint wear can probably be felt - suitably support the car so the shafts are at their normal length - and grab a joint and try and move it. There should not really be any free play.

Outer joints are generally more obliging - simply drive the car on full lock and listen for the noises.

BackinaBX · Post by **BackinaBX** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 12:48 am

Way back when I got my second BX, I had this problem... it still had the original tyres on the back, with tread separation going on, and the ones on the front weren't much better. Four new boots, an alignment... peachy as.

cavmad · Post by **cavmad** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 7:04 am

I`d humbly suggest a tyre problem Philip. Any one tyre which is faulty (visible or not) in any corner of the car could cause problems, ditto if a wheel is slightly buckled or damaged.
If you have a known good spare then try swapping it with each wheel in turn and seeing if it stops the problem, obviously you`ll then be able to track down the culprit. Get the duff one stripped off the rim and have it inspected thoroughly, if it seems even slightly suspect then bin it.
They now say that a rear tyre blow out is potentially more damaging than a front, apparantly (as unbelievable as it sounds) you have far less control of your car if the back tyre goes on you.