C5 - Leaking pipe on steering hydraulics

[hamster99]

I have traced my steering problem (ie no power assistance!) to a leak on the hydraulic return pipe from the steering rack where it runs in a cranked tube bolted to the side of the sub-frame. The citroen service diagram says this is the low pressure part of the system. I have attached the diagram and circled the leaky bit (yes I know I've circled the drivers side but it illustrates what the fitting looks like and is identical to the passenger side one).

I don't want to go to the hassle (and no doubt expense) of renewing the whole pipe, which is a combination of flexible hoses and metal pipe which runs round the passenger side of the engine bay and back to the pump, and though that I could just cut out the leaking section and replace it with some flexible hydraulic hose and jubilee clips.

Any thoughts as to whether this would work?

Rob

[RichardW]

Don't see why not - there is a rubber to ali joint at the front that is only retained by a jubilee - we had to have this apart when we did the clutch on my mate's 2.0 HDi 16V. That was fun. Not I'm a bit sceptical that this is why you have no PAS though... this would just dump fluid on the floor, but shouldn't affect the PAS - well not till you ran out of fluid anyway - but by then the suspension would be screaming about low level. I'd be thinking more along the lines of the electric pump not working....

[myglaren]

If it was sucking air in through that leak it could affect the power steering.
The electric pump is suspension only, power steering is an engine-driven pump.

[RichardW]

"The electric pump is suspension only, power steering is an engine-driven pump."

Not on the later ones Steve - they have an electric steering pump as well....and you can't suck air through a return hose

[hamster99]

Yes Richard, unfortunately it did drain the tank so suspension had a problem too! I was a bit surprised there wasn't a low fluid level warning.

[addo]

Interesting point. You'd think there would be a level trip switch.

[myglaren]

"The electric pump is suspension only, power steering is an engine-driven pump."

Not on the later ones Steve - they have an electric steering pump as well....and you can't suck air through a return hose

Oh bugger! Sorry for the misinformation.

[hamster99]

Have now stripped the pipe out from my "donor" C5 and will be refitting it tomorrow. Nor a particularly difficult job, just a bit fiddly, and yet another hour or so under the car......ho..hum...!!!!

[hamster99]

Well, have now fitted the replacement pipe and refilled with LDS (over 3 litres!) and, so far, all well and working.

Did have a couple of "oh my god, now what?" moments with the suspension as it seemed to be stuck on low and the pump was just running but after a couple of minutes it started to rise. Must have just been re-priming and pressurizing the suspension as the reservoir had been empty!

Now what am I going to do with my Sunday? Oh yeah, my wife's C3 needs the rear exhaust box strap replaced.......!!!

Cheers

Rob