Drop links XM and C4

[captainhaddock]

I need a new drop link and I know there's cheapy's and good ones as I remember from the Xantia's ones... any one's good or bad experiences would be good!

Best way to check is pressure off, I seem to remember...

On top of this I need to find out a rattle that looks like a drop link on a C4 just to help out a neighbour. We'll see if I can do that too

[robert_e_smart]

Don't buy Firstline suspension components! Go a Lemforder or such like.

[captainhaddock]

Lemforder it'll be than Robert , never heard of it though..pressure off, right?

[robert_e_smart]

FAG, I think they are called is also good. But not Firstline!

Emm, drive it over rough roads, listen for rattles, then you will know!

[captainhaddock]

I've heard the rattle in the C4. It rattles lovely with the engine switched off going over a rough road..so no exhaust. Shock - could be but doubt that so hence my feeling of drop link. Did pass NCT test very recently.

As for the XM, ....I'm in no hurry but sometimes there's a knock and always where I turn a corner where there's a railway I need to drive over. Knock guaranteed whereas it didn't before so I think it's a drop link, they don't last that long on XM's, I thought.

[Dieselman]

To check drop links grasp the car by the roof and rock it sideways, preferably with a helper grasping the drop link joints.

Citroen drop links use ball-joints, not rubber, so do tend to show any wear quickly.

[robertmnorton]

Hi captainhaddock, Lemforder is a division of ZF. However, change them every couple of years, they really are cheap enough, give the mot man a good first impression.
robertm

[captainhaddock]

Thanks Robert: and Dieselman. It's easy, very easy to feel with your hand on that drop link with helpers rocking the car sideways, you feel it immediately!

My MOT men have been very quiet so far because they can't find much wrong with the XM's luckily.

But one drop link has started to let itself heard now, I'll order a couple of new ones and will have that fixed in no time.
By the way had a go in the XM with the new C4 owners - they were very impressed with the XM
But so was I, learning about the C4 fuel consumption. I think they bought a proper car, but heard some horror stories about how Irish people just never service their cars and how cars suffer and break down because of it. Quite amazing stories

[tich731]

Having replaced my droplinks, the suspension is quieter but I still get a slight "chatter" on rough roads when turning at a junction. I was thinking it may be worn anti-roll bar bushes. Has anyone had experience of changing these?

[Duke]

But so was I, learning about the C4 fuel consumption. I think they bought a proper car, but heard some horror stories about how Irish people just never service their cars and how cars suffer and break down because of it. Quite amazing stories

1.6 HDi?! Common over here too for the 1.6 HDis to suffer from Turbo failure due to lack of servicing (too long between stated services), but also incorrect servicing with the incorrect oil.

Not had a problem (touch wood) with my C4, does the job really well although that's the 1.6 petrol (120BHP).

It even survived a test drive with Robert behind the wheel...!