lhm loss stiff steering

marlon · Post by **marlon** » 07 Sep 2009, 17:06

. Iam new to the site but wondered if any one can help. My 95 xantia1.9 td has developed stiff steering over a few days----my neighbour pointed out that there was adrip drip of"green stuff" from underengine bay,it is Lhm can anyone offer any pointers where to start looing,I got laid off and cant afford 40 quid an hour dealer charges. Thanks guys

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 07 Sep 2009, 17:47

First thing is check the LHM level.
Set the car onto it's highest setting and pop the bonnet.
There's a float in the top of the LHM resevoir and on high it should be between the two red lines.
I try to keep mine on the top line.

When was the LHM last changed? Not topped up but actually changed for fresh LHM or Hydroflush?

Post by **Peter.N.** » 07 Sep 2009, 18:56

If the level is OK the next thing to check is the pump drive belt, a slipping belt will give that effect.

Peter

addo · Post by **addo** » 07 Sep 2009, 21:27

The drip is usually a giveaway. On mine, as also on a friend's car, it was the PAS pinion valve seals letting go.

marlon · Post by **marlon** » 08 Sep 2009, 10:33

Thanks guys, My wife had the rear spheres replaced while I was working away,six weeks ago,I,ll check if they flushed/changed the LHM. This morning the front seemed lower than normal but when I fired her up it came up O:K:Needed Arnie Scharzeneger to turn the steering wheel tho; Brakes seem un affected--------Are they fed by a common pump? I have only a Haynes manual and it is vague to say the least.

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 08 Sep 2009, 11:28

LHM should be changed every 36K miles, and Hydroflush used for 500-1000 miles at the 72K change.
It seems to be something that garages miss out (but I bet they charge for it).

The pump is split, with 6 of the pistons serving the power steering and the remaining 2 serving the suspension and brakes.

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 08 Sep 2009, 15:06

addo says

The drip is usually a giveaway. On mine, as also on a friend's car, it was the PAS pinion valve seals letting go.

me too...

My blog of the xantia may show the pinion valve..

cost of a rebuilt one is not too bad..(Martin, Pleiades - on Forum) fitting it is not for everyone....

John

Old-Guy · Post by **Old-Guy** » 08 Sep 2009, 15:46

Having checked the LHM as Xac suggested (the engine must be running and the suspension given a chance to settle), the next thing to do is to find out where the LHM is leaking from.

PLEASE SUPPORT THE CAR ON AXLE STANDS.
Hydraulic suspension can suddenly drop the car to the bump stops - squashing you comprehensively. Xantias can KILL!

My money is on the back of the pump not the rack.

marlon · Post by **marlon** » 08 Sep 2009, 17:57

I,m grateful to those who have posted--have had her (her?) up on ramps and pulled the plastic splash guard,cleaned underside with parafin and dried everything off,fired her up and from the rubberhose connected to the central sphere,is a steady leak. The hose seems to swell in size to point where it has 25mm Oetika clip Can I get the hose as an aftermarket replacement,or have I to get a Genuine Citroen part.

Post by **myglaren** » 08 Sep 2009, 18:02

Pirtek may be able to help but could also be as expensive as the dealer.

Post by **CitroJim** » 08 Sep 2009, 21:13

That sounds like the return hose back to the reservoir from the presure regulator.

If so, it is a low pressure pipe and can be repaired on a temporary basis by either shortening it or splicing in some plastic tube. I stress this is only a temporary repair. It carries a high volume of LHM but at virtually atmospheric pressure. The trouble with using plastic pipe to repair these low pressure pipes is that the LHM attacks the plastic in a way that the pipe soon becomes rock-hard and is then liable to crack; especially in this position where the pipe is subject to engine vibration.

It returns surplus LHM from the hydraulic circuit when the pressure regulator is up to pressure and the pump is idling.

marlon · Post by **marlon** » 09 Sep 2009, 10:52

Thanks for that CJ....Are the hoses separate items? Because they disappear under the air filter box it,s hard to follow the routing. Saw a complete set on E-bay for 15 quid....I daren,t ask at the dealers... any ideas?

citrov6 · Post by **citrov6** » 09 Sep 2009, 11:56

at the dealers most pipes with ajoining pipes come as one.

there was one that was 130quid in that area, its one that goes from the accumulator area to the back of the car as well as under the battery tray.

there is a return pipe of the accumulator that is 36 quid from the dealer

a return hose shouldn't be causing you problems on stiffness in steering, it is probably something specific to steering like the previous posts. also its worth checking the accumulator pressure, when these go everything stops working. there are a few club members who own them

hope your problem is something simple for you to fix, good luck