2009 c5 2.0 HDI exclusive suspension

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shoogiesco
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2009 c5 2.0 HDI exclusive suspension

Post by shoogiesco »

hi
I have put a deposit down on a 2009 c5 today and I have just checked the MOT history.
the last MOT was 10 days ago and there were a couple of advisories, im looking for any opinions on how bad they might be :)

"rubber pipe coming from rear suspension valves cracked and peridhed"
"front suspension sitting higher than rear 2 inches"

i would really appreciate any thoughts on these
how bad can it be?

thanks
Sandy
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Re: 2009 c5 2.0 HDI exclusive suspension

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Regarding the suspension advisories:
The height being different is irrelevant - and there is nothing in the MOT to say anything about the front and rear heights needing to correlate with each other - ignore that one - unless the front suspension is riding a little harder. If that is the case it could just be the front height corrector needs adjusting (but this is best done by Citroen or a garage who knows how to perform the proper height measurement calculations and has the correct diagnostic kit to enter these (a Lexia / Diagbox usually).

Next the leaking pipe. Leaks can be an MOT failure - but you really need to have it checked by a a person with Citroen suspension specialist knowledge. I have just had a rear suspension pipe replaced under warranty due to a defect in the manufacturing process (the seam where the pipe bends leaked). I'm not quite sure what they are referring to ("peridhed")? on the rears - it could be the rubber boot that has the suspension fluid return pipes in - they may just need replacing or tightening if there is fluid leaking from there.
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Re: 2009 c5 2.0 HDI exclusive suspension

Post by shoogiesco »

thanks for the reply

i meant perished not perihed lol

these were down as advisories only, what could i be looking at worst case scenario?
the car seemed fine when driving it( more comfortable than my old c5)

im reluctant to pull out of the sale if its something small as they are giving me a great deal on the car and my trade in :)
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Re: 2009 c5 2.0 HDI exclusive suspension

Post by Sloppysod »

shoogiesco wrote:..........."rubber pipe coming from rear suspension valves cracked and perished" & "front suspension sitting higher than rear 2 inches"i
These two problems could be the linked to the same cause, if a rear pipe which is under pressure is leaking then the front could be slightly higher. I would haggle the seller down, or get them to pick up the bill, as you know just getting a Cirtroen garage to look at some thing is north of £100, without any repairs!! And if the front was higher by 2" then , unless you have HID's(?) surely the lights would have failed - sort the leak out first. :shock:
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Re: 2009 c5 2.0 HDI exclusive suspension

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Stu the suspension doesn't control the HIDs - they have independent motors as the suspension cannot react quick enough. But I agree that the OP should get some knocked off - the rear pipe on mine (one of them) was about £150 IIRC - so allow for at least this and another £100 for the inspection / diagnostic to determine the issue.
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Re: 2009 c5 2.0 HDI exclusive suspension

Post by Sloppysod »

Hi Marc, I was aware of HIDs having their own levelling system, what I was trying to say was that I am not sure this would cope with the 2" difference, especially that the front sits slightly lower than the rear anyway.
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Re: 2009 c5 2.0 HDI exclusive suspension

Post by shoogiesco »

Really appreciate the replies guys I'm planning on giving them a call tomorrow see what they say.
Hoping they will get it fixed for me :)
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Re: 2009 c5 2.0 HDI exclusive suspension

Post by wurlycorner »

My first thoughts on a "rubber" pipe being 'perished' was the boots on the end of the cylinder. Get under the car and have a look with a torch I suggest.
Not familiar with the x7, but if same design as the earlier c5s then it's a very cheap and easy repair.
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Re: 2009 c5 2.0 HDI exclusive suspension

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Sloppysod wrote:Hi Marc, I was aware of HIDs having their own levelling system, what I was trying to say was that I am not sure this would cope with the 2" difference, especially that the front sits slightly lower than the rear anyway.
Apologies Stu, I understand your point now. The 2" height I would think should be fine for the levelling motors to cope with, as they would have to cope with more than that when the car is going through dips and raised sections of roads and only have to move a small amount to lower or raise the light projection. I would be inclined to check the LDS fluid levels too - just in case this has been leaking for a while.
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Re: 2009 c5 2.0 HDI exclusive suspension

Post by shoogiesco »

http://www.evanshalshaw.com/search/vehi ... k-r666acm/

I have tried to post a link to the car including pics, looking at one of the pics the front looks higher than normal any opinions?
Thanks
Sandy
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Re: 2009 c5 2.0 HDI exclusive suspension

Post by GiveMeABreak »

It doesn't look too different to me - bearing in mind that in the video, when the frame is frozen, the car seems to be on a slope, which can be deceiving. Anyway, here are a few other pics from Autotrader (Hydractive Exclusives) for comparison. However, the thing we have to be careful of is that these pictures could of been after the car has settled overnight for example, and even though these have anti sink, they do lower slightly, as can be seen when unlocking the car in the morning - the pump kicks in and always raises the car back up - so we can't be sure we are comparing like for like. Having said that - these all look roughly the same heights to me. Your car is the top one:

Your Car
Image

Sample1
Image

Sample2

Image

Sample 3
Image
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Re: 2009 c5 2.0 HDI exclusive suspension

Post by shoogiesco »

Never even thought to compare to other cars :) , thanks I think I may be worrying too much they said they will have service manager have a look and let me know whats what. Thanks for all your help
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Re: 2009 c5 2.0 HDI exclusive suspension

Post by GiveMeABreak »

That's fine - if it's a Citroen Dealership, the Service Manager should know the procedure to check the actual heights against the reference heights and will be able to see if they are out of kilter or within tolerances. If it isn't a Citroen dealership, ask them to cover the cost of having it checked by a Citroen Dealership. Should only cost no more than an hour or less of diagnostic / checking time. It's not just a matter of measuring the heights - there is a formula and several calculations to be undertaken detailed in the technical documentation.
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Re: 2009 c5 2.0 HDI exclusive suspension

Post by shoogiesco »

It's not a Citroen dealer but there is one next door :) they called and told me the rubber boot is perished and cracked but is not leaking, said they will replace it for me
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Re: 2009 c5 2.0 HDI exclusive suspension

Post by hattershaun »

The rear suspension perished rubber pipe is a very easy fix.
Seen this on virtually every C6 and many C5 with hydractive suspension.
It's a short length of rubber pipe from the central spheres that returns LDS fluid back to the tank.
Citroen only sell it along with two the metal pipes that are part of a run from front of car to back.
Just replace with rubber hose, something like small diameter fuel hose.
5 minute job.
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