Knocking sound from front end when going over rough ground.

[markscotford]

I have changed the anti-roll bar drop arm suspension links on several occasions, but It never seems to solve the problem for long, if at all. This time I just fitted an extra expensive pair of links. When changing them this time I noticed some fresh metal wear at the top of the Anti-Shock Absorbers (Picture Attached) question is, have I been missing the point and its the shock absorbers that need replacing? Your advice welcome please.

Citroen Berlingo - Gen II - 1.6Hdi - 2013 - 200,000 Kms and still going strong

Regards Mark in Spain

[Multispacer]

I have changed the anti-roll bar drop arm suspension links on several occasions, but It never seems to solve the problem for long, if at all. This time I just fitted an extra expensive pair of links. When changing them this time I noticed some fresh metal wear at the top of the Anti-Shock Absorbers (Picture Attached) question is, have I been missing the point and its the shock absorbers that need replacing? Your advice welcome please.

Citroen Berlingo - Gen II - 1.6Hdi - 2013 - 200,000 Kms and still going strong

Regards Mark in Spain

There doesn't appear to be an image attached to your post.

As a general rule on the B9 Berlingo, the drop links are a bit of a weak point and I tried a mix of different brands including very expensive ones and it didn't seem to make a lot of difference in how quickly they wore out.

Anyway, as you state in this case probably not likely as you've recently changed them.

The other things that are common causes of the front end knocking are the top mounts [at the top of the shocks] This is a two part assembly consisting of a mount and a bearing and these do wear out. The problem with changing these is that they are at the top on the shock on the inside of the wing, so the whole suspension strut has to come out to replace these.

Also [as was the case in my original knocking case] the shock absorbers/dampers do wear and can cause a knock. It isn't immediately apparent and hard to check until the whole front shock assembly is dismantled. When I did mine, it was only obvious after disassembly [separating the shock absorbers from the rest of the front suspension assembly] and at that point I found that the pistons in the shock absorbers had lateral movement [ie side-to-side, as well as their normal up/down] and although not much, it was what was causing the knocking in my case.

So in short, if you've already replaced the drop links, numerous times and it has not really cured the knocking, I would go for changing the top mounts but while the front suspension assemblies are out to replace them, personally I would change the shock absorbers as well, or at least dismantle the front suspension assemblies and check the shocks for lateral piston movement and if found replace the front shock absorbers. 

Bear in mind, if you do this job yourself you need a good decent set of spring compressors to safely replace the top mounts and shock absorbers.  

[Drummond]

Replacing front shocks and top mounts solved the front right knocking on my B9 as well.

[markscotford]

OK I'll go for a new pair of shocks. I am pretty sure I have some spring tensioners somewhere in the shed.. Thanks all.

[Multispacer]

OK I'll go for a new pair of shocks. I am pretty sure I have some spring tensioners somewhere in the shed.. Thanks all.

Change the top mounts at the same time, especially as your vehicle has covered 200k, they will need to be replaced.

[markscotford]

Thanks Multispacer & Drummond. New pair of shocks and the two part mounting plates at the top it is. I found two different pairs of spring compressors in the shed, so I will order up the parts tonight.

[Multispacer]

Thanks Multispacer & Drummond. New pair of shocks and the two part mounting plates at the top it is. I found two different pairs of spring compressors in the shed, so I will order up the parts tonight.

One other thing to be careful of when replacing the front shocks, make sure the hub and driveshaft assembly is properly supported when you have the suspension unit removed or you can end up damaging the seal on the gearbox end of the driveshaft and losing your gearbox oil and having to replace the seal..yes I've done that .

[markscotford]

Thanks Multispacer & Drummond. New pair of shocks and the two part mounting plates at the top it is. I found two different pairs of spring compressors in the shed, so I will order up the parts tonight.

One other thing to be careful of when replacing the front shocks, make sure the hub and driveshaft assembly is properly supported when you have the suspension unit removed or you can end up damaging the seal on the gearbox end of the driveshaft and losing your gearbox oil and having to replace the seal..yes I've done that .

One last thing, sorry to be a pain, but I live in Spain and its not like the UK where you can nip down the road to multiple spares outlets and find knowledgeable people willing to help. DIY was not a big thing here, when I first arrived 20 years ago, till the Romanians came and picked up the slack.
My problem is I have found a source on Amazon for the Shocks, but without taking the shocks out, I cant really tell what the plate/s at the top look like. Is there two plates in a rubber sandwich type arrangement attached to the van on each side? your help would be most welcome. I have taken back the felt cover inside the bonnet to reveal the top of the shock inside the bonnet area, (see attached) so I could try and work out how it all fits together. Are there four of these in total or 2, if its 2 whats underneath? If you could point me to the correct part on the UK amazon site, that would really help. Thanking you in anticipation. Mark in very hot sunny Spain.

[evdama]

"the UK where you can nip down the road to multiple spares outlets and find knowledgeable people willing to help"

Which UK are you referring to???

Don't overlook the Under tray and arch liner fasteners.
As petty as it sounds ,they allow quite a bit of noise when worn or missing.

[Multispacer]

Thanks Multispacer & Drummond. New pair of shocks and the two part mounting plates at the top it is. I found two different pairs of spring compressors in the shed, so I will order up the parts tonight.

One other thing to be careful of when replacing the front shocks, make sure the hub and driveshaft assembly is properly supported when you have the suspension unit removed or you can end up damaging the seal on the gearbox end of the driveshaft and losing your gearbox oil and having to replace the seal..yes I've done that .

One last thing, sorry to be a pain, but I live in Spain and its not like the UK where you can nip down the road to multiple spares outlets and find knowledgeable people willing to help. DIY was not a big thing here, when I first arrived 20 years ago, till the Romanians came and picked up the slack.
My problem is I have found a source on Amazon for the Shocks, but without taking the shocks out, I cant really tell what the plate/s at the top look like. Is there two plates in a rubber sandwich type arrangement attached to the van on each side? your help would be most welcome. I have taken back the felt cover inside the bonnet to reveal the top of the shock inside the bonnet area, (see attached) so I could try and work out how it all fits together. Are there four of these in total or 2, if its 2 whats underneath? If you could point me to the correct part on the UK amazon site, that would really help. Thanking you in anticipation. Mark in very hot sunny Spain.

Your image is literally just the dust cover and securing nut at the top, the rest of the bearing/mount assembly is not visible until you've got the shock assembly out.

Best thing to do to check the correct part numbers for your vehicles top mounts, is to use the catcar info site. If you out in the VIN for your vehicle and then go to the respective part of the parts manual, it will give the PSA group part numbers for your vehicle, which you can then use in your on-line search.

https://catcar.info/citroen/?lang=en

While probably not as quick as amazon, the autodoc site is German based so shipping to another EU country [Spain in your case] shouldn't be a problem. 

I just dug out the shipping email for when I did this job and these were the items I used on my 2008/1.6Hdi Berlingo XTR Multispace [I'm not saying your will be the same but just to give an idea of what you're looking for] The cost for two of these [I obviously did both sides was about £47 in 05/2023]