citroen suspension leak

tonupteabag · Post by **tonupteabag** » 14 Mar 2010, 13:33

hi i hope someone can shed a little light on this my xantia went through the mot with no problems but while it was on the ramp i noticed a small leak which resulted in a drip formed on the subframe just in front of the n/s rear suspension arm now is this going to be the hydraulic ram boot or is it going to be more serious the ride height is ok there was a slight imbalance on the back brakes but not suffient to cause any problems for the mot but i don't like any leaks be it water oil or lhm i've gone through a lot of threads and posts but haven't found any similarities hence asking the question on here i will have to let someone else do the job as i can't do much due to a severe motorcycle accident. i have a few issues with trusting anyone else to work on my car as i do all my own work so i know its done properly any ideas would be appreciated

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 14 Mar 2010, 14:14

hi and welcome Mr teabag

dose the leak seem to be around the rubber gaitor on the suspension unit,

and the rear brake imballance could be one calliper has the imfamous corrosion build up between the calliper and rear arm,

were abouts are you,

regards malcolm

tonupteabag · Post by **tonupteabag** » 14 Mar 2010, 14:22

hi malcolm
i'm in devon near barnstaple i'm not a 100% certain where the leak is as i can't get under for a proper look but it does look like the front of the ram then the fluids tracking down on the lower edge of the subframe just in front of the rear wheel you can see the subframe viewed from the rear wheel arch looking down you can see the square bottom that is where it appears damp
thanks for the reply

Post by **xantia_v6** » 14 Mar 2010, 17:14

If your car has hydroactive suspension, (VSX/Exclusive/Activa), it could also be a leak from the hydroactive valve return hose. These sometimes leak just above the LH end of the subframe.

tonupteabag · Post by **tonupteabag** » 14 Mar 2010, 17:17

no its just a standard 1.9td lx

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 14 Mar 2010, 19:23

Hmmm, this area above the Subframe is the route all the feed and return (4 of, 3 high pressure, one low) take to the rear of the car..

Is a common area for a pipe to rot through and leak, useually were they are clipped on the subframe.

Ive had high pressure pipes weep slowly, then when disturbed from their clip, all hell break loose ...

Paul

tonupteabag · Post by **tonupteabag** » 14 Mar 2010, 19:49

just what i had hoped it not to be i suppose i'm going to have to try and get underneath to have a proper look

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » 14 Mar 2010, 20:36

Make CERTAIN you have the vehicle SAFELY supported on axle stands or similar.

tonupteabag · Post by **tonupteabag** » 14 Mar 2010, 20:39

yes safety is important with these cars

tonupteabag · Post by **tonupteabag** » 15 Mar 2010, 22:40

well i think i better hang my head in shame i've managed to get the car up to have a look at the leak which isn't a leak at all it was some residual lhm from when i changed the spheres i've checked the pipes and they are dry so it looks like i'm in the clear thank god i didn't relish the idea of changing the pipes and the hydraulic unit

Brigsygtt · Post by **Brigsygtt** » 16 Mar 2010, 00:45

Good news then

Changing the rear hydraulic strut aint too bad a job, i done the o/s rear on Jennies activa yesterday it was leaking lhm like a tap.

Took me an hr to remove one off the spares car & refit to the other car. The clip was solid on the spares car, dowsed it in plusgas & drifted it out. There was so much lhm on the good activa the clip came out no bother

Post by **CitroJim** » 16 Mar 2010, 05:53

Brigsygtt wrote: There was so much lhm on the good activa the clip came out no bother

Every cloud has a silver lining

Maybe LHM is a good releasing fluid?

Always looking for new uses for old LHM

hirsty · Post by **hirsty** » 16 Mar 2010, 17:13

Maybe we should patent and sell it with all proceeds going to the forum fund. Hair conditioner and releasing fluid. Anybody care to add to the list?

Brigsygtt · Post by **Brigsygtt** » 16 Mar 2010, 17:22

I think i have just managed to get it out of my hair after this weekend

Leak has come back with a vengance too, im hoping its something simple as i had to reuse the sphere seal or one of the return pipes...The ram looked ok but theres that much lhm in the area now ill have to degrease it to see where its coming from.