lubricating strut pistons

deian · Post by **deian** » 03 Jul 2006, 17:02

Hi guys,

We all know creaky suspension could be down to dry strut pistons, or this is what I've gathered so far.

Can anyone tell me exactly where and how to lube the strut pistons with LHM. I've been on that 'tramota' addressed site about bx/xm, and eventhough his description is thorough i can't quite understand.

Help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

406 V6 · Post by **406 V6** » 03 Jul 2006, 19:41

Deian, Xantia struts don't suck LHM from the vent pipe like the old BX.
You will have to manually lub it up from the outside. From the way i see it, get the car on max height, and pour some LHM on the sealing ring. Drop the car down. This movement of the ram should "push" some LHM into the cilinder. Repeat as necessary to get a decent amount of fluid inside.

deian · Post by **deian** » 03 Jul 2006, 20:07

oh thats good! i was wondering where the pipe for sucking was! so it's a little trickier with the back ones because those pistons are horizontal rather than horizontal.

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » 03 Jul 2006, 22:52

deian wrote:oh thats good! i was wondering where the pipe for sucking was! so it's a little trickier with the back ones because those pistons are horizontal rather than horizontal.

The back ones you dont have to lubricate - they are self-lubricating. In fact to such an extent that leakback hoses are needed. (The 2 plastic hoses seen on the bellow )

Best way to lube up the front struts is to grease the chromed cylinder seen under the gaiter in the wheelarches - when car is at max height. Best tool to do this is to apply the grease into your hand and then using your hand to apply the grease onto the cylinder. LHM is a bad lubricator - as it disappears rather fast - within a week or so.

alan s · Post by **alan s** » 03 Jul 2006, 23:05

Have seen two suggestions on this that to me seem logical.
One was to use a piece of oil soaked rag wrapped around the silver part of the shaft and sitting on the top of the outer part of the cylinder where it enters it, which I could see as being logical if the gaitors were still tightly in place, otherwise what acts as an oil wick could also act as a moisture and grit collector and be self defeating.
Other suggestion was lubing with one of these additives that supposedly coat engine parts. (Slick 50 type) The guy who did this claims it was a 100% success and whilst I've always been a sticker for coating them with silicone grease, he claims this stuff lasted much better and really freed his Xantia estate struts up really well.

Alan S

NiSk · Post by **NiSk** » 05 Jul 2006, 10:51

I sprayed the front struts of my '98 XM 2.5TD with aerosol Teflon spray. Make a big difference and has lasted almost a year now.
Same procedure: max height, release bottom of plastic gaiter. stick the tube from the spay can in between and spay generously all around. Refit gaiters and do Citrobatics.

//NiSk

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » 05 Jul 2006, 19:37

Hi NiSk

Got a Biltema ref for that Tephlone spray

NiSk · Post by **NiSk** » 05 Jul 2006, 19:44

Yepp!
Part no. 36-4516

49,90 SEK

400ml.

//NiSk

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » 05 Jul 2006, 20:31

tx NiSk