2007 Citroen C5 Auto Diesel Hatchback Vin: VF7RCRHRJ76767821- Suspension problems advice & mechanic recommendation for Perth area?

[T.Lex]

Hello all,

I've pushed down on the bonnet at either corner and there is no give whatsoever, the rear gives and comes back up again. The ride is hard as a rock. I've only had the car for a few months and the ride has never been good. Questions:

1) Is it unsafe to drive?
2) Will driving it wreck my (new) tyres?
3) Is there any message I should be getting from the in dash system? Is there any other checks I can do to find out what the problem is? (FYI I have no mechanical knowledge or tools and know my limitations i.e. I am not putting any important parts of my person under that suspension).
4) What is the best case scenario for what could be wrong? (Could it just be something not adjusted correctly?)
5) Please be gentle when you tell me the worse case.
6) Apart from the Citroen dealer and the euro specialists in Malaga are there any other mechanics in the Perth region that have expertise in Citroen suspensions? I'm in Kelmscott so South of the river is preferred but if you're in Perth who would you recommend taking it to?

I've been reading about Citroen suspension problems but this has just worried me greatly about the potential $$$ involved, $$$ being in severe short supply at the moment, so any advice and guidance given will be greatly appreciated.

Edit to add: 136,000km on rego; serviced at 122K; the last two services were done down in Rockingham so I might start there with phone calls on Wednesday.

 

[aceone95]

Hello all,

I've pushed down on the bonnet at either corner and there is no give whatsoever, the rear gives and comes back up again. The ride is hard as a rock. I've only had the car for a few months and the ride has never been good. Questions:

1) Is it unsafe to drive?
2) Will driving it wreck my (new) tyres?
3) Is there any message I should be getting from the in dash system? Is there any other checks I can do to find out what the problem is? (FYI I have no mechanical knowledge or tools and know my limitations i.e. I am not putting any important parts of my person under that suspension).
4) What is the best case scenario for what could be wrong? (Could it just be something not adjusted correctly?)
5) Please be gentle when you tell me the worse case.
6) Apart from the Citroen dealer and the euro specialists in Malaga are there any other mechanics in the Perth region that have expertise in Citroen suspensions? I'm in Kelmscott so South of the river is preferred but if you're in Perth who would you recommend taking it to?

I've been reading about Citroen suspension problems but this has just worried me greatly about the potential $$$ involved, $$$ being in severe short supply at the moment, so any advice and guidance given will be greatly appreciated.

Edit to add: 136,000km on rego; serviced at 122K; the last two services were done down in Rockingham so I might start there with phone calls on Wednesday.

You might like to try Stuart Pekin he is in Morley and is a Citroen mechanic 0404231712

 

[Ken W]

Sounds like it needs some new spheres in the front. These cars have a two stage of suspension 'springing', a firm setting that uses the spheres mounted on the suspension strut on each side, and is the default when the car is turned off, and a soft setting which when the engine is running engages a centre sphere which adds extra compliance to the 'springing' giving a softer ride.

They can feel pretty firm when they have been standing for a few minutes, with all the doors closed, but when you unlock it and open a door, the centre sphere should engage and the suspension become softer. If it is quiet, you can often hear a medium pitched hum from the solenoid that engages the centre sphere.

So first thing is to see whether the soft/firm system is all working normally. If the centre sphere is engaging but it is still rock hard when left locked for a while, it is OK to drive quietly as you will not provoke to go into firm mode.

Stuart will be able to test the spheres to see whether they have the right amount of gas springing or not.

I could add more but I will wait for some feedback from you.

Cheers, Ken

 

[T.Lex]

Sorry for the really late reply - I got sick, laptop charger failed, couldn’t find where I’d written my password and WA. Never rains but it pours, but rain is great for WA now and I found my login.

Engine off - After it’s been sitting and I open the door both front and back raise and I hear the slightly whiny noise.

Engine on - when I raise or lower the settings it moves. It’s in normal mode now.

Engine off - there is a noticeable difference between the front and back in terms of stiffness when I press on the four corners - front gives slightly but back more.

Thank you both for your helpful replies and I’ll phone Stuart now. When I get more info I’ll let you know how I get on.

 

[T.Lex]

I’ve rung Stuart and he was really helpful and suggested it could just be due to the ride height being wrong and gave me instructions for something I could try myself. I’ve tried it and it does seem better. I just took it around the block and going over speed bumps it bounces on the other side of them rather than thumps down and no other movement if that makes sense.

I’m still going to take it into to him tomorrow so he can check it all out, but even if it does need spheres he’d be looking around for used ones given my $ situation. After I’d rung a few places that were either not interested, expensive diagnostic only or the worst was it’s not worth repairing if it’s the suspension speaking to Stuart was a huge, huge relief.

I’ll write his instructions in a new post as it might be helpful to other noobs.

Then I’m going to go and fuel up ready for his check.up tomorrow. I’ll let you know the results.

Thank you both very much. The relief is amazing.

 

[T.Lex]

Stuart’s instructions:

Turn on the car.
Centre console with the sports, up and down arrow - press and hold the down arrow until it sinks flat on the ground.
Leave it for 15 seconds.
Press the up arrow once, holding for two seconds then release.
This should raise it to normal height.
Then do the push down test again on the four corners of the car.

 

[T.Lex]

All good. The suspension is fine, but my leaning down on the front corners doesn’t really shift it at all. He had the bonnet open and kneeled on the front bumper and it moves a lot. I tried the same and probably only shifted it half as much as he did. I’m surprised my weight isn’t sufficient to move it at the corners but another lesson learnt.

So it’s safe and Stuart’s going to give it a service and apart from that there’s no problems at all. I drove back through the hills and it was very enjoyable and I’m back to being very happy with my Citroen. Thanks again for the recommendation - I wouldn’t have found him without this forum and he’s been fantastic.

Cheers everyone