My wife's C4s had a full suspension refresh (new everything inc dampers) at 55K a few years ago. Now at 65K and just back from European trip and a number of problems have developed:
1. Vibration at speed (80-85) - terrible the next morning after the car had been parked up following a long drive in high temps, so put down to flat spotting.
2. The classic front end rattle (snooker balls in a box) when hot at low speeds over rough road, manholes etc.
3. Slightly vague steering (though we had no idea how vague until it was fixed)
4. And we were keen to improve the crashy ride but keep the handling right.
So to CG last week after ordering a DSC and accelerometer direct from US 10 days earlier.
Peter (as fastidious as ever) found inner tie rod on driver's side was shot (put on 15k ago in 2016) and both front wishbone arm ball joints were loose (the rattle is only noticeable when hot due to the aluminium arms expanding more than the steel ball joints). The arms were only 10k old so disappointed they had gone so early, but that is the the joy of running 19s and big tyres on an arms designed for the 18s on a 996.
So new arms and inner tie rod later, geo was corrected (rears were still perfect from 10k miles ago) and DSC and accelerometer fitted. The latter is a bit of a faff and I am glad I did not attempt it myself - took about 1:30 hrs.
500 miles later and car feels great. Steering much improved (funny how you don't notice a problem that develops slowly). Silky smooth ride with no vibration or rattles ( I had the wheels Road Force balanced elsewhere before seeing CG but did not solve all the vibration), and much less crashy over local crap roads. Feels better than we picked it up from the showroom.
Not had much chance to test the handling in anger but it feels much more settled at speed.The perfect tourer that can change into a tool for alpine passes at a flick of the DSC button. I have kept both programmes standard for now. Oh, and Sport is now completely useable on all roads.
Happy so far, but skint!
1. Vibration at speed (80-85) - terrible the next morning after the car had been parked up following a long drive in high temps, so put down to flat spotting.
2. The classic front end rattle (snooker balls in a box) when hot at low speeds over rough road, manholes etc.
3. Slightly vague steering (though we had no idea how vague until it was fixed)
4. And we were keen to improve the crashy ride but keep the handling right.
So to CG last week after ordering a DSC and accelerometer direct from US 10 days earlier.
Peter (as fastidious as ever) found inner tie rod on driver's side was shot (put on 15k ago in 2016) and both front wishbone arm ball joints were loose (the rattle is only noticeable when hot due to the aluminium arms expanding more than the steel ball joints). The arms were only 10k old so disappointed they had gone so early, but that is the the joy of running 19s and big tyres on an arms designed for the 18s on a 996.
So new arms and inner tie rod later, geo was corrected (rears were still perfect from 10k miles ago) and DSC and accelerometer fitted. The latter is a bit of a faff and I am glad I did not attempt it myself - took about 1:30 hrs.
500 miles later and car feels great. Steering much improved (funny how you don't notice a problem that develops slowly). Silky smooth ride with no vibration or rattles ( I had the wheels Road Force balanced elsewhere before seeing CG but did not solve all the vibration), and much less crashy over local crap roads. Feels better than we picked it up from the showroom.
Not had much chance to test the handling in anger but it feels much more settled at speed.The perfect tourer that can change into a tool for alpine passes at a flick of the DSC button. I have kept both programmes standard for now. Oh, and Sport is now completely useable on all roads.
Happy so far, but skint!
