Suspension ans wheel tuning for motorway trip

[IKUN]

Hi guys,

I just got a 2011 Berlingo. As I'm just 22 living in student accomodation and international licence, the insurance price is so wierd and I have no choice but to buy a berlingo as my touring car. Any car even a mini one or nissan note will need more than double insurance fee although its insurance group is lower. It is also wierd that another student bought a mini one said he insure a mini is cheaper. Berlingos are not ever available in my home country so I even do not know the existence of this car until 1 week before I buy it.

Although in most parts of my country people prefer volkswagen, in my hometown peugeot and citroen was more popular approximately 10 yrs ago. We believe these cars are more stable to drive on motorways is one reason. I also reviewed many youtubes or websites about berlingo, almost all of them said the berlingo can drive like a car and have excellent handelling among vans.

As I do not have any other choice, I bought the berlingo right after a simple check and test drive to make sure it did not suffer any accident. I also find it is very dynamic to drive especially in the city. However when I drive it back to Glasgow, I find its steering is too light and too sensitive on motorways, even hard to drive straight and always floating between the lane, although I know this bring it more dynamic in urban area, but as someone who want to use it as my motorway trip camper, this setting is not suitable for me. Some guys said that B9 berlingo shares the front suspension with the Citroen C4, but when I asked some guys who own a C4 or 308 in my hometown they said their cars have really heavy steering and suitable for motorways, even a little bit tiring when doing manoeuvre. Also I find the steering wheel will highly be influenced by the road surface, if there is a hole or something like that, I would feel nearly lost control. I must hold the steering toughly to keep driving straightly. Some people advise me to do a wheel alignment, but after it its still like that.

So I think it is might due to the caster angle is smaller than C4 or other normal passenger vehicles, as almost all wheel alignment garages even did not know this data and most cars is unable to adjust this data. So is there anyone also want to use a berlingo as a camper for long distance motorway trips ans also confused by this, and where can I adjust the castor angle? I can even accept to change a adjustable control arm or top mount to do that, but I don't know where I can buy these parts and adjust it as soon as possible. I think it won't be hard as I do not expect the stable like a racing car, I just want it not to be such dynamic and sensitive, and can be driven stable like a C4 on motorways.

[brodfather11]

Hi,
 The caster angle cant be altered like you think.

If it wanders when accelerating or slowing it can be wear on the lower suspension arm bushes or  ball joints that are causing your problem.  If they are worn it will alter the castor angle.

Steering trackrod ends being worn is another source of wandering.

Are the tyre pressures  correct. too high can give that feeling of lightness.

Usually people complain of the steering too heavy, not too light.

[Sol]

My Berlingo van, same model as yours but newer is a fine handling vehicle - it is no racing car but it's pretty good in the bends and stable as a rock at high motorway speeds. My steering is very light, as was my last B9 van. They seem to be like that but when used to it, they're fine. Only 2.5 turns lock to lock means the steering is quick too..it's electro hydraulic so not adjustable.

By the way, if you drive in central Glasgow, you will be fined heavily as the LEZ is in force there now, and a 2011 diesel is not compliant. If you drive again within 90 days in the LEZ, they double the amount and fine you again.

I wasn't sure if you realise this, but if not, then you need to avoid that zone at all times.

What is your home country?

[IKUN]

Hi,
 The caster angle cant be altered like you think.

If it wanders when accelerating or slowing it can be wear on the lower suspension arm bushes or  ball joints that are causing your problem.  If they are worn it will alter the castor angle.

Steering trackrod ends being worn is another source of wandering.

Are the tyre pressures  correct. too high can give that feeling of lightness.

Usually people complain of the steering too heavy, not too light.

Thank you very much. I'll find somewhere to do a full check. Which kind of garage do you recommend? Halfords (checked but they find nothing strange), Citroen or Peugeot dealer, or any other local garages? Thank you.

[Gryffindor]

As I understand it, many PSA models of similar years to each other share the same floorplan which only varies in length, for SWB or LWB versions. The only major difference between models is above the sill line.

Is there a mechanical engineering course at your college/university? If so, offer them the chance to tinker with your car. They might fix it for free...

[IKUN]

My Berlingo van, same model as yours but newer is a fine handling vehicle - it is no racing car but it's pretty good in the bends and stable as a rock at high motorway speeds. My steering is very light, as was my last B9 van. They seem to be like that but when used to it, they're fine. Only 2.5 turns lock to lock means the steering is quick too..it's electro hydraulic so not adjustable.

By the way, if you drive in central Glasgow, you will be fined heavily as the LEZ is in force there now, and a 2011 diesel is not compliant. If you drive again within 90 days in the LEZ, they double the amount and fine you again.

I wasn't sure if you realise this, but if not, then you need to avoid that zone at all times.

What is your home country?

Thank you very much for concering. I know its feels very good in the bends and it can support the van as stable as a car. However I still not used to its too sensitive steering and I hope I will get used to it after driving for sometime. I already know that there is LEZ in Glasgow, I have a bike for that and this van is only a touring vehicle for motorway use. I'm from China and Berlingos are never available there. Thank you so much.

[IKUN]

As I understand it, many PSA models of similar years to each other share the same floorplan which only varies in length, for SWB or LWB versions. The only major difference between models is above the sill line.

Is there a mechanical engineering course at your college/university? If so, offer them the chance to tinker with your car. They might fix it for free...

Thank you so much, I think my university have such course but I didn't take that kind of major. I hope I can find them to repair my van. By the way, if so, can I try to change it into the suspension used for Peugeot RCZ? If so I think the steering will be much more stable.

[Sol]

You will get used to it. I did.

I went from an Audi to a B9 van and the steering was so light in the van, I nearly spun it off the road at the first turn. Now it feels normal.

How long have you been here?

[IKUN]

You will get used to it. I did.

I went from an Audi to a B9 van and the steering was so light in the van, I nearly spun it off the road at the first turn. Now it feels normal.

How long have you been here?

I hope I will get used to it. Audis are very heavy and stable. I came here last september.

[Sol]

I'm sure you will get used to it pretty quickly.