Could this be car suspension problems?

Lady_K

My daughters got a citroen saxo mischief her MOT is due in around 3 weeks. She has started to have some problems that may be related to suspension on the passenger side. It is when she goes over bumps it gives a creak and sounds like a see saw kind of noise. Does this sound like it could be the suspension?

I just wondered has anyone else had this kind of problem and if it might be expensive to put right? Would they pick this kind of thing up in an MOT?

Do you think it's ok to still drive till the MOT?

Brightness

Personally I would get it to a local garage ASAP, but then I tend to 'baby' my cars! How old is the car?

Lady_K

I think its R reg 1997 or 1998. It's just with it being near the MOT it's booked for 27th April can't do it any earlier as the MOT really runs out on 26th May. She's booked it with the local council, she's less likely to get ripped off that way

She's a Student Nurse and this is a really busy time for her with exams and assignments so its time aswell but if it could be unsafe she will have to do something now. It's been like it the last couple of weeks but she only told me today. She doesnt know any trustworthy garages round the uni area either.

Brightness

Hmmm don't really know what to suggest then. Could she ask around her colleagues/patients/fellow students for a reputable garage?

It does sound like the noise that my old Micra made when the suspension was going. I got it 'sorted' a few times but the problem kept coming back again. In the end it failed it's MOT and was destined for the scrap heap but one of the young apprentices in the garage bought it off me and spent his spare time doing it up and practising on, bless.

Mine was a G reg and I got rid of it about 5 years ago - the problems started a few years before. Could be that your daughter needs to get it fixed as best as possible and gets it through its MOT then trades it in or sells it and gets something else.

When I first took it to the garage, the guy went round all four 'corners' of the car pushing it down hard to see if it made the same noise. Apparently, it's a quick way of checking before they get underneath the car...

My son drives a P reg Polo and between the family we're running 3 cars - i dread him coming in and saying Muuuuummmmmmmmmmmmmm there's something wrong with my car :rolleyes:

Good luck whatever happens - will you post and let me know?

Lady_K

Thanx, yes I will but I'm quite worried really as this couldnt come at a worst time. She booked the mot to squeeze it in just before her exam on the friday then she starts another placement on the monday which shes going to be travellling about an hour each way to and from that. She would not in any way be able to get another car she hasnt had that one a year yet. It was running fine but then she had a heavy load in it

There is a guy who is a machanic that she knows, they are friends but she really didn't want to ask his advice as he wants to be more than friends and she didn't want to ask him, I'll see what she says as I'd rather her be safe.

If she does end up waiting till the MOT should she mention it to the machanic first before it's tested? I just thought if they picked it up she would just get it mended and then it would pass the mot on the retest, shouldn't it?

I just hope hers is not too bad it will causes massive problems if it can't pass the MOT

Paul_the_Painter

If the car is due for an MOT in 3 weeks, she can take it in NOW with her old(current) certificate and she will get an MOT for 1 year plus 3 weeks.

My advice get it down to an MOT place (that only does MOT's you don't want an inflated repair bill) ASAP, if it fails on minor items she can drive it around for a fortnight whilst getting it sorted, under her old certificate, if it passes she has had no loss at all.

The most likely culprit is a worn damper (shock absorber), but often the creaking you are hearing is just the fact that the pan that the spring sits into is dry and needs a bit of lubrication (grease).

To check whether the dampers are faulty go to each corner of the car in turn and place your full weight on the wing, and try to "bounce" the car, if it does not settle to rest within 1 and 1/2 cycles(1) you need a new damper(2)

(1) 1 and 1/2 cycles is - let go at bottom, car goes up, car goes down car goes up and stops - this is fine - if it continues bouncing - new dampers needed

(2) to be replaced in pairs only (fron left and right or back left and right) cost hmmmmm guessing at £300 for a saxo

Almost all noises on cars are bad news - creaking suspension is one that can be very easy to fix. Just a thought if it is quiet when it's raining, chances are its not a problem, just a dry spring pan - get it down to an MOT station soonest, they will be able to tell you if it is a problem - for effectively free as you will need an MOT anyway.

Lady_K

Thankyou,

Well it already is booked for as early as possible the MOT actually runs out last day is 26th May. They told her the earliest they could allow it is 27th April, thats 3 weeks as yesterday...

It was running perfectly fine up untill she carried a very heavy passenger weighing 32 stone!!! it's been since then

I will have to let her read this thread. I just want her to be safe though

Oh yes and its booked with the council MOT center young girls tend to get ripped off more so we thought it best

tomstickland

Yes, sounds like suspension, bush quite likely, cheap to fix.

Lady_K

Thanx... I won't rest though till she's had this looked at. Does it take long to repair that if it is it? and would most garages keep the parts in that would be needed?

She planned on going to get the MOT at the council place then going down the road to the garage near it to get any repairs done, get it fixed then go back for a retest on the same day

tomstickland

If it is a suspension bush then it can be replaced in an hour or so. They're consumable parts. Driving over potholes, speedbumps and other such objects can hasten their wear. Parts are available from motor factors who deliver to garages during the day.

For peace of mind go round a reasonable independant garage and explain the problem and ask them to have a quick look.

scheming_gypsy

i'm with Tom on this one. Had to have my bush replaced a few weeks back. When going over bumps there'd be a scraping noise as though the wheel was catching the wheel arch