FAO Petrolheads... suspension problem?

[thedarkprince]

I've got a 1.6 HDi Citroen C4 07 plate and I've recently noticed that when going over potholes, speed bumps, even cats eyes that you can really feel every bump. There's also the obligatory bump noise from the back of the car. The fact that I've only just noticed leads me to think that it's probably a gradual thing.

Now I'm no car mechanic (fairly handy with a spanner an ratchet set though - bikes) but even I can tell there's a problem with the suspension but what I wanted to know is if there is any way to tell exactly what's causing it? Is there any tell-tale signs that will lead me to the problem area?

[Samdy Gray]

Possibly a broken spring. Feel around the bottom of the spring cup, sometimes the bottom few inches can snap.

Or could be a broken shock absorber (if yours has rear shocks thast is). Press down on the back of the car, it should bounce straight back and settle. If it wallows then the shock is knackered.

Failing those, it could be control arms, anti roll bar links or anti roll bar bushes.

[nevillew]

I thought you were a financial adviser Samdy ?

[Samdy Gray]

I am. I just have a car prone to suspension problems

[nevillew]

What a let down.

[Arriba]

Sure it's not the exhaust lose? follow the instructions samdy mentioned pushing the car down.

[thedarkprince]

Cheers Sam, will have a fumble and see what I can feel.  The car doesn't bob up and down or anything like that but at the same time it doesn't settle instantaneously.

Arriba - the loose exhaust could account for the noise but it feels harsh going over anything raised or potholed.  I'll have a check and see though.

[thedarkprince]

Sam, just checked the official technical spec and it says:  Anti-roll bars front and rear. Front: Macpherson strut/coil springs. Rear: independent trailing arms/torsion bars.

So does that change what I should be looking for at the back?

[Samdy Gray]

Yes, it means you don't have shocks or springs on the back.