C5 suspension repairs

bencowell · Post by **bencowell** » 19 Nov 2005, 18:38

Today I took my C5 to an independent garage, (will report the name if they prove to be good).

Having read many posts on here, HJ and C5-L I thought I knew what was wrong.

A free test drive resulted in the car being diagnosed as one worn front anti roll bar drop link, but both needing replacing for best practise like you would replace brake bits.

Also it was suggested that rear suspension noise and hardness was due to spheres needing changing at 45k and 3 1/2 yrs.

He said he replaced 2.0 HDI spheres with 1.8 petrol ones (see threads elsewhere on here).

Also mentioned was to replace the flywheel at the same time as the clutch, do the top pulley when doing cam belt, exhausts can last 200k+ and that he has taxis with 200-300k on them which only get routine servicing, clutches, drop links and rear spheres.

The C5 is generally a good car.

Ben

406 V6 · Post by **406 V6** » 20 Nov 2005, 10:38

Ben, remember this one thing:

The rear spheres are common to both the 1.8l and the 2.0HDI, as they don't have HA3+. The front ones have different damper elements, but same pressure.

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » 20 Nov 2005, 11:51

I've never heard of replacing the flywheel when replacing the clutch - on any vehicle at all! I'd have thought flywheels were rather expensive and certainly heavy!

Perhaps he means the crankshaft rear oil seal which will be behind the flywheel.

bencowell · Post by **bencowell** » 20 Nov 2005, 11:57

No, it was definatley the flywheel.

Elsewhere on this forum it is discussed about the dual mass flywheel failing on the C5.

Apparantly they used to be about £500, now more like £180!