CV Joint & steering Rack Questions

[dmason]

I have just had my 04 van in for a service and they have flagged up a few issues.
They have never worked on an electric Blingo before so had a few questions.

-They say the CV joint on N/S drive shaft is worn and needs replacing, they are asking if this is a standard Berlingo CV joint?
-The steering is heavy and notchy,the garage says it might be something wrong with the rack but they can't get to the rack to check it.
I was reading on one of Grumpy-b's posts that this might be the hydraulic ram and that he managed to replace this through gaps in the crossmember without having to drop the subframe, is this the most likely explanation? can it be replaced without dropping the subframe?
-They say the front pads and one disc need replacing and are quoting £100 for this, also the O/S ball joint needs replacing and they are quoting £85, do these prices seem reasonable? this is the first vehicle I have owned so not sure of what costs what to replace.

Many Thanks

[skooler]

I have just had my 04 van in for a service and they have flagged up a few issues.
They have never worked on an electric Blingo before so had a few questions.

-They say the CV joint on N/S drive shaft is worn and needs replacing, they are asking if this is a standard Berlingo CV joint?
-The steering is heavy and notchy,the garage says it might be something wrong with the rack but they can't get to the rack to check it.
I was reading on one of Grumpy-b's posts that this might be the hydraulic ram and that he managed to replace this through gaps in the crossmember without having to drop the subframe, is this the most likely explanation? can it be replaced without dropping the subframe?
-They say the front pads and one disc need replacing and are quoting £100 for this, also the O/S ball joint needs replacing and they are quoting £85, do these prices seem reasonable? this is the first vehicle I have owned so not sure of what costs what to replace.

Many Thanks

It seems reasonable if that includes parts?

But it does seem very odd to replace just one brake disc. You should change all discs and pads at the same time to ensure that brakes are at 50/50 efficiency. (each brake has an even load).

I would guess that its a standard berlingo CV joint. They're hardly going to develop a new one for just the electric model!

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Mike

[highend]

exactly - you should replace all discs & pads, not just one.
also it is quite important (and here where I live required by law) that both tyres on each axle are same dimensions AND manufacturer. I have no idea why UK law is OK to have two different brands of tyres on one axle - it is potentially dangerous, and car can pull off road, also bearings wear out faster and driving on a wet road can be dangerous....

if you need steering rack I have UK steering rack from 03 Berlingo

[dmason]

Thanks for the advice guys! and the offer of the steering rack!
Any thoughts on the steering issue? can the steering rack, hydraulic ram be accessed without having to drop the subframe?
I'm a little worried about the reliability of the garage now after your advice on needing to replace both discs and the fact they didn't recommend this.
They are supposed to be a specialist Citroen garage.
Hmmm

[Grumpy-b]

Steering
The rack cant be readily replaced without dropping the front subframe. You just cant get it out. If its notchy its normally the Hydraulic ram that is the problem, I have now changed two of these without taking off the rack. its a bit fiddly but not a problem. The Ram is common to all other Berlingos, except the 2ltr HDI. Also the picasso ram is the same. Racks are different with some later ones having a clamp that holds the pipes in earlier ones just having threaded unions. Rams all have screwed unions.
You cant change a ball joint unless you have a pressed steel suspension arm, all the Electriques I have ever seen have the forged lower arm where the ball joint is integral and not replaceable. That is also the official part listed, the pressed steel one is not in the pats list for these vehicles. The arm can be got from Local motor factors for under £50 and under £40 from ebay. New and genuine they are about £150.
As for discs, only replace as a pair. and replace all pads. DO you have the vented or solid discs.
If its the outer CV joint it is common with other vehicles but I think it is slightly smaller than the Std Berlingo one. I had a new 309 driveshaft that appeared to have the same part on it. Worth doing a bit of a check on what parts are common. I will see what I have in details. Citroen dont list the outer CV separately they only seem to list the drive shaft and the inner joint.

Regards
Grumpy-b

[timpootle]

This is all really useful gen for keeping these old and unusual vans on the road. Thanks Grumpy!

[dmason]

Thanks for the detailed reply Grumpy-b!
Spoke with the mechanics today,
Steering.....they said that quite often this type of steering issue may be caused by a seized steering universal joint, but they couldn't get to the joint to check it.
Is this likely in your experience? Is there a way to get to the UJ to check it? Otherwise they mentioned it could be the rack itself but again they don't seem to think they can get to it to check it, so not sure how to find the culprit?
Is dropping the front sub frame a big deal? are there any risks in dropping the frame,they seemed to be nervous about it because they have never worked on an electric Berlingo.
The brake discs seem to be solid,there is a bit of a lip on them which is I'm guessing why they want to change them.
It is the outer CV joint, I'm not sure how to check the part number, I think thats why they asked me to ask around as to the compatibility of CV joints, would really appreciate any guidance on this.

Cheers,

David

[highend]

dropping subframe - no big deal, same as with petrol Berlingos, this subframe is only different size in electric version...
electric Berlingo is just normal Berlingo converted to electrics by PSA factory

[Grumpy-b]

I really dont think its the steering UJ. When the ram goes it lets fluid past so you have no power assist as the pressure is even both sides , you move it a bit and the leak decreases, you get some assistance etc etc, . This is a fairly common problem , ujs are not a common failure. You can get a temporary respite, although it takes a few days to make happen, by using a tube of steering sealant, it basically seals up any leaks and swells the seals slightly. I have an HDI that we did this to and it lasted 18months . It takes a couple of days to work, but if it does it also says leaking RAM.
Discs are a common item across the range and the same part in solid disk citroen C2 and C3s.
Look on ebay, Some of the later ones do have vented discs though. The lip isnt a real problem I take that off with a file or angle grinder, whats more of an issue is surface rusting on the friction surface. So if yours are clean both sides, just take the lip off. If it gets really deep then the disc is probably too thin, so do be vigilant. The lip is often thicker than the actual metal as the corroded material swells. So a 1mm lip often doesnt mean the disc is thinner by 1mm. Judgement!!
I will try and check the CV joint issue tonight.

Grumpy-b

[dmason]

Thanks for the info Grumpy-b, very useful!