Finding a Citroen specialist that can fix an old Citroen Xsara

minete

Hi. I'm trying to find a garage that can fix a suspension on an old Citroen Xsara. It failed the NCT test with an imbalance on the rear axle. Getting the shock absorbers changed made things even worse at the retest. My garage suspects a faulty torsion bar. They don't have the expertise to fix it so they advised me to find a Citroen specialist. I live in North Dublin and there aren't that many around. The closest one is Dolphin Motors in Clontarf but it's impossible to reach them. I don't really want to go to a Citroen dealership, which might be very expensive (and possibly not very helpful when it comes to old cars). Any idea where I could go? Thanks.

User1998

What do you mean it's impossible to reach them? You live in North Dublin. Drive over to them.

Henry Ford III

Any competent mechanic should be able for that job surely?

GavPJ

Reconditioned Peugeot & Citroen axles for sale in Kilkenny for €250 on DoneDeal

This crowd are doing them a long time "IF" you need an rear axle.

minete

I rang many time ( no answer), been there twice (the garage was closed), rang the bell of the house (no answer), asked the garage across the street (they said the garage opens from time to time), tried to go on their website (it doesn't work - even though it's written on a shiny car outside). It's 30 min away from my house so I can't go there too often.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124372464#Comment_124372464

Ah okay fair enough

minete

Apparently not. From what I've been told in two garages, Citroen suspensions require specialised tools. So it's really a Citroen specialist that I need. A few of them are well outside Dublin. I'll go if I have to, but I'd prefer something a bit closer if I can, especially if it's to be told that the whole rear axle need to be changed, which I probably can't afford (in case the part is even available).

minete

Thanks for the info. Maybe as a last resort. I like my old Citroen and I really want to keep it on the road, but there is a limit to what I can afford. I'll keep that in mind anyway. Someone did mention that the whole axle might need to come off. I just want someone with enough expertise to tell what needs to be done…

User1998

Try Service Stop they seem to be able to do anything

GavPJ

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124372483#Comment_124372483

The Xsara uses a standard enough torsion bar suspension set up. At a guess, I would think the other

2 garages you went to are mixing it up with the hydropneumatic suspension systems on BX's, Xantia's

C5's etc.

The Xsara is basically the same as a Peugeot 306 so any decent mechanic should be able to fix it.

minete

alright. I'll give them a shout. Thanks.

GavPJ

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124372514#Comment_124372514

If you don't mind a drive to Enfield. Sur Le Pont there will sort this no worries at all.

Hoop66

I was going to recommend Dolphin Motors, but from the posts above it looks like they're no longer operating. They were excellent for my BX & my DS, but not cheap.

minete

Thanks. Already rang them. They're supposed to call me back today. I just want to have a plan B, just in case. I've had a few bad encounters so far…

goochy

Fildes garage back road lucan to clonee

minete

Thanks. Already rang them but they don't specialise in Citroen anymore. The conversation didn't really go much further.

minete

You could be right. The garage that has serviced the car for the last two years didn't want to touch the suspension for fear of making it worse. They've always been very good so I trusted their judgement. But it's also possible that they got that wrong. They were pretty insistent that special tools are required though. Same goes for the other garage that lifted the car. I don't know much about it so I'm a bit helpless.

magicbastarder

there's a garage over near clonee which used to be a citroen specialist i think, but they're not a main dealer; ken fildes garage. might be worth giving them a bell?

edit: i see i was beaten to it.

minete

Yeah thanks but I've already tried. Would have been handy though