Citroen C4 B7 Front Strut:Shocks Replacement

Replacing the front shocks in my 2012 Citroen C4
This should be the same as a 308 of the same age and the DS4 is near enough identical to this C4.
I went back to uni to do a masters this year and this C4 has been what i bought before i started for some cheap motoing. Have to say these are a great car if you want something modern that is reliable and easy run. It has always had a bit of a clunk in the front end, last september i changed the front wishbone bushes, anti roll bar bushes, droplinks, lower balljoints, track rod ends and strut top bearings. These struts were the only thing left to do and seem to have made the most difference. Despite that sounding like a long list of items it didnt really cost too much and only took a few hours to fit, these cars are a doddle to work on and despite the simple suspension are very comfortable and great on a ling run.

[@alexmorgan3435]

Excellent job. I have knocking and clunking noises from the front suspension of my Peugeot Partner for 3-4 years now. Initially at 22k miles I replaced the drop links and suspension strut top mounts which sort of made a difference but the knocking was still there when driving over bad surfaces. Now 20k miles on, it is back with a vengeance and is doing my head in. I think this strut design by Peugeot is flawed. The shaft of the strut moves in either the top mount housing or the top mount itself moves against the body housing causing the knocking clunking. It has a another MOT tomorrow this time with a really clued up Polish mechanic I have not taken my Partner to before. If he finds a problem with the suspension, correctly says what is causing it and how it can be fixed I shall be over the moon. Obviously I won't be pleased with the cost but it has been going on for so long and is now really doing my head in. Driving my Partner Tepee is a noisy affair. The suspension is not quiet like in other cars/vehicles. The rest of the car is excellent. Love it ,but the noisy front suspension I hate. Many owners seem to have the same issue. Common problem with these and the Citroen Berlingo.

[@peugeotCitroen2CV]

Hi Alex, i think you asked a question about the disks on the berlingo video? These shocks once i changed them that was that noise cured, i had done the strut top mounts last year but the shocks themselves i dont think there is any particular flaw as such they are just a standard mcpherson strut. Now i know the 406 had a design where the strut top itself bolted securely into place with 3 bolts rather than the cup design here but there are other cars with the cup arrangement and it works reasonably well, personally i preferred the 406's arrangement it just made sense. Biggest issue is if cheap brand parts have been fitted they are more inclined to wear. They can clunk away and still sail through mot's which is the odd thing about the suspension on PSA cars using this platform. Ive got another clunk in this C4 but i suspect its the driveshafts now as it clicks a lot on full lock. Fingers crossed you get your noise sorted tommorow, let me know what it ends up needing.

[@alexmorgan3435]

@@peugeotCitroen2CV Will do. Thanks for taking the time to write such a full reply. Yes I did ask a question about brake disc wear and how you know what the minimum thickness is and if it's been reached on another of your videos. Yes I think this is what mine has been doing passing the MOT fine as the knocking/clunking symptoms do not present themselves during the test or the tester isn't testing thoroughly enough for knocking clunking to be evident which is a bit annoying as I just want the issue sorted out. It's now driving me nutz! When I replaced the strut top mounts about 20k miles ago I used KYB ones and Febi/Bilstein drop links. The OE Peugeot drop links were fine so were the top mounts really, if a little dry, ie lacking of grease, but I still replaced them and gave the replacement KYB top mounts lots of extra grease. Yes I prefer the tops mounts like the 406 which have studs to secure to the body. I do not like the cup and washer versions that are on your 308, my Partner or your Berlingo. Cheap and nnasty imho. I suspect Peugeot Citroen made this design to save cash as a top mount with say 3 studs to secure to the body is going to cost a lot more to produce than a cup and washer version. My fingers are crossed for tomorrow's MOT. I am hoping it passes or even gets an advisory because of the knocking because I will at least have some one else's opinion on the problem if he picks it up and hopefully he is right! I don't plan selling it so I am not concerned about advisories although I keep it properly serviced and in good repair. I am already thinking f**k it andlooking at getting complete new Bilstein B4 struts and their corresponding top mount. I will just need to take the springs off the old units and put them on the new Bilstein ones if I do get them, but I am going to wait until after the MOT tomorrow morning. Many thanks. Love your no nonsense channel. Are you a mechanic with your own workshop/business or are you the luckiest man alive with a man cave to die for? Your vehicle lift is awesome. Where did you get your spring compressor? I have those screw type clamps which are lethal really. Always frightened that one day I use them to compress a spring, one is either going to fly off and the spring hit me in the face or it will break meaning the same. Not good. ATB.

[@alexmorgan3435]

My Peugeot Partner passed MOT. Suspension was 'fine' no issues. However advisories for brake discs and pads which I know need doing but not just yet as they are not that worn probably about 50% worn. One of the number plate bulbs is not working which I missed so an advisory for that as well. I have ordered a replacement pair of Bilstein B4 front struts with new top mounts. Hoping this will solve the problem. The current shock absorbers are Sachs which aren't leaking and appear fine but on previous cars I have had them on they have been crap, truly awful. Spent the afternoon yesterday doing lots of bump testing and leavering on the suspension and bushes to try to identify where the knocking is coming from but without any success. Ball joints, ARB links and bushes, and steering joints all seem fine. Solid.

[@rrr...512]

Great job

[@nikostzinopoulos7736]

Great video! Please tell me the brand of the new blue shocks. I am desperate what shocks to choose for my DS4 of 2012. The car's suspension is horrible full of ratles and knocks, while the shocks have been replaced by Citroen's original parts 6 months ago. I realize that the original shocks are false for this car and i try to find what to fit on. Monroe, Sachs or whatelse? Please advice. The car tends to be not drivable inside Athens city roads....On highways it travels excellent. My tires size is 225/45 R18 and the car has done 127000km.

[@eb4753]

Doing some job. Hopefully this will sort knocking sound when going trough bumps or rough road because there is nothing else left to change i hope its the struts 😑😑😑 Also when i took the shock out somehow drive shaft managed to move and i lost about 1l of gearbox oil 😑😑😑😑

[@kingstudioofficiall]

10:41 please how name this part? Or number?