Xantia estate Major leak from Suspension pipe

nigelc116 · Post by **nigelc116** » 05 Feb 2006, 15:22

Just been out for a local drive (fortunatly) and heard a lous hissing sound.

Investigations have found a leak on a metal suspension pipe by the rear LH wheel. The LHM is flooding out of the carrier tray right next to the rear wheel. I think that I can feel the unions next to the rear strut but how long is the pipe. Does it run from front to back of the car?

Are there any special problems with changing the pipes and is it a DIY job?

Thanks

Nigel

reddeathdrinker · Post by **reddeathdrinker** » 05 Feb 2006, 16:23

I've never had a problem changing the pipes, I get them from my local Citroen dealer, along with a new seal for each end. They're pretty cheap too.....

nigelc116 · Post by **nigelc116** » 05 Feb 2006, 16:40

I've just been back under the car and found that the pipes run the full length of the car.
At the front they come out of the tray that they run in (Horizontal) and turn 90 degreed then vanish behind some chassis parts. Does anyone have any ideas of where they go to?

dnsey · Post by **dnsey** » 05 Feb 2006, 18:11

If the rest of the pipe's sound, it's quite possible to cut out the offending section, flare the end of the rest and fit a 'partial' replacement.
Unless you contemplate doing a lot of Citroen hydraulic work you'll need to go to a Cit specialist who has a flaring tool, but it shouldn't cost much to do - quite possibly less than your time's worth to change the lot.

nigelc116 · Post by **nigelc116** » 05 Feb 2006, 18:24

dnsey, that's good news most of the pipe is OK only 1 to 2 inches has rust on it. We've got an indipendant cit garage in Stourport where I live I'll see if he can fix it tomorrow.

Thanks for the help I'll let you know how much it costs

nigelc116 · Post by **nigelc116** » 06 Feb 2006, 19:16

My local indipendant cit garage says he'll have to replace the whole pipe. I guess that says goodbye to £150!

dnsey · Post by **dnsey** » 06 Feb 2006, 22:48

He might be right - the original steel pipes can look fairly good but be on their last legs.
It's a pretty straightforward job to replace them though (hardest bit is getting any seized unions undone), and the pipe's cheap, so it shouldn't be too expensive to fix. It's definitely a potential DIY job - remember to bleed the brake caliper when you've finished.