Ride quality - what to expect from a BX?

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Melchior
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Ride quality - what to expect from a BX?

Post by Melchior »

Lads and ladies,

What should one expect from a BX ride? Before I got mine I was expecting (or hoping) for a real floaty, wafty, magic carpet style ride. Having never even been in a greenblood Citroen before I don't know what to expect and am wondering if my BX is either normal or has a problem.

Over long flowly undulations it is lovely and floaty - clearly more comfortable and smooth than a normally suspended car. But over short sharp bumps it is harsh and crashy. Driving over cobbled streets is terrible. My shedhouse heap Mondeo is much more comfy on those road. Is that normal? I suspect old and buggered bushes might be causing this but then, I haven't actually looked at them.

Should I expect DS marshmallow pillows if everything were perfect? Or am I just expecting too much from the old girl?
Last edited by Melchior on Mon Mar 18, 2013 7:56 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Ride qualtiy - what to expect from a BX?

Post by mat_fenwick »

It's not up to DS/CX comfort levels due to the compromise of having McPherson strut front suspension, but should still feel better than most other cars. GTi/TD spheres give a firmer ride anyway, and 16v ones firmer still. Ride height and sticky struts can make the suspension crashy - flat spheres would be hard at all times and not floaty over longer undulations.
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Melchior
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Re: Ride qualtiy - what to expect from a BX?

Post by Melchior »

Thanks Matt, I started suspecting sticky struts because when dropping from high or normal to full lowness, the front drops smoothly until right at the lowest point when it creaks a little. I think the rear is a little worse and I *think* the radius arms might want looking at. They don't seem to creak but I think there's a bit of /\ going on although my untrained eye cannot be very sure. I'm no car mechanical n00b but the peculiarities of Cits and BXs are new to me.

Once I have some wonga behind me I plan to make a list of bits and get them sorted, that's why I want to figure out if this crashyness is normal or not. What about bushes?
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Re: Ride qualtiy - what to expect from a BX?

Post by mat_fenwick »

I've been told that wishbone bushes can have an effect on ride, but not experience it myself. Certainly worn rear arms can have a big effect. Creaking is normally a later stage in their deterioration, by which time the arm itself is at risk of being damaged.

From what you describe it's not normal but at the same time, not uncommon!
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Re: Ride qualtiy - what to expect from a BX?

Post by rutter123 »

if the car has done done 100k i would replace the wishbone bushes cos im sure at some point they will have got contaminated with oil, tho they may look ok they are prob shot, get a jemmy bar behind them and lever against the wishbones this will give u an idea of their condition, these need to be pressed in/out. worn rear arms will affect the steering adding in rear wheel steer to the ride, bottom ball joints prone to wear, a clonking/knocking noise on small bumps indicates worn drop links, all parts readily available bushes £10 each, ball joints £15 each, tie rods £15 each drop links £15 each, rear arms about 50 a side u can get your 5 spheres checked and regassed,
if u let the rear arms get too bad it can ruin them beyond repairing, and your tyre will rub the inner arch. i think new rear arms are still available about 130 a side. all fairly easy jobs to do and will greatly improve the ride. i beleive you can chop and change some spheres for personal preferences i.e slightly higher/lower pressure etc etc, but best to check with others on this forum.
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Re: Ride qualtiy - what to expect from a BX?

Post by mds141 »

This sound obvious I know, but what state/make/brand are the tyres? Crappy tyres can have a noticeable effect on low speed ride quality.
Last edited by mds141 on Sun Mar 17, 2013 12:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Ride qualtiy - what to expect from a BX?

Post by Tim Leech »

My 19TZI has the same issue, the front struts are worn out, the read arms have been done.
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Re: Ride qualtiy - what to expect from a BX?

Post by Defender110 »

mds141 wrote:This sound obvious I know, but state/make/brand are the tyres? Crappy tyres can have a noticeable effect on low speed ride quality.
seconded, I know from experience tyres can have a massive effect on BX ride quality.
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Re: Ride qualtiy - what to expect from a BX?

Post by Tim Leech »

I've got new Michelins on mine... Must get those struts reconditioned
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Re: Ride qualtiy - what to expect from a BX?

Post by Kitch »

I can echo what others have said. Best riding BX I've driven is my dad's GT and that has:

Decent arm bearings
Decent front struts
Decent wishbones
Fresh spheres
Michelin Energy tyres

I wouldn't say the difference with tyres is whether they're budget or not. But yes, some do ride badly and some do ride well.
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Re: Ride qualtiy - what to expect from a BX?

Post by Tim Leech »

Kitch wrote:I can echo what others have said. Best riding BX I've driven is my dad's GT and that has:

Decent arm bearings
Decent front struts
Decent wishbones
Fresh spheres
Michelin Energy tyres

I wouldn't say the difference with tyres is whether they're budget or not. But yes, some do ride badly and some do ride well.

I agree Kitch, my GT ride is streets ahead of my other 3, although it runs newish Firestone Tyres.
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Re: Ride qualtiy - what to expect from a BX?

Post by Dollywobbler »

I think the BX is naturally more 'crashy' over potholes and the like than earlier Citroens. It makes them similar to 2CVs, which are generally floaty, but crash and bang over potholes in a way that earlier hydro-Cits just don't.

Tim's GT does indeed ride beautifully - probably the best BX I've ever driven, though I can't remember hitting any potholes in it (I do try and avoid them!).
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Re: Ride qualtiy - what to expect from a BX?

Post by rutter123 »

my tgd is running avons as my local tyre shop done 4 for £180 i have no complaints, as said above new tyres can make a vast difference, if u plan on running your bx as a daily driver as i do, its worth investing the few hundred quid and strip down/replace any worn suspension parts as they may be 20+ yrs old, i got some complete front wishbones with bushes from euro car parts £30 a side they are pattern parts but 60k later still good GSF are also a good source of parts at reasonable prices, ive had no probs with parts supplied by them. CAFCO will supply your rear arm kits for 35 a side tho not listed under bx see c15van they are the same. there is plenty of advice on this forum should u need it.
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Re: Ride qualtiy - what to expect from a BX?

Post by Caffiend »

Dollywobbler wrote:I think the BX is naturally more 'crashy' over potholes and the like than earlier Citroens.
I find that mine takes speed bumps in its stride, but really doesn't like potholes. Suspension is firmer than n/a anyway, tyres are rubbish and I will get some decent ones after the apocalypse when I have the energy to sort it out :oops:
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Re: Ride qualtiy - what to expect from a BX?

Post by TizzyD »

mat_fenwick wrote:GTi/TD spheres give a firmer ride anyway, and 16v ones firmer still.
I didn't know this, but it explains why, when I got the TD, it didn't feel as soft as the ride in a n/a
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