Citroen C5 - Changing LDS fluid

[Cupi34]

Ok then it will be 5 liters too be sure I guess.

[vladd.alex]

Hello Marc and colleagues,

Do you think it is possible to change the LDS fluid in some different steps?

For example, instead:

# Start the engine.
# Place the suspension height control in the "LOW" position.
# Stop the engine.
# Raise the vehicle and support on axle stands, wheels free.
# Open the LDS fluid reservoir cap.

Remove:
# The front right wheel
# The front right mud guard
# Remove the collar (1) Using tool [1].
# Uncouple the hose ( 2) from the LDS fluid reservoir.
# Drain the LDS fluid reservoir.

Can I do the following:

# Start the engine.
# Depressurise the hydraulic system via Diagbox.
# When done, disconnect the battery.
# Use a jack and raise the right wheel.
# Unmount the right wheel and the mudguard.
# Remove the collar (1) Using tool [1].
# Uncouple the hose ( 2) from the LDS fluid reservoir.
# Drain the LDS fluid reservoir.

The difference would be instead of lowering the suspension, I want to depressurise it via Diagbox and use just the car's jack. What it's confusing to me is if after lifting the car on a jack, some LDS can go back from the tank into the spring cylinder.

What do you think?

Thank you very much,
Vlad.

[GiveMeABreak]

There's nothing wrong with doing that Vlad, - although in the instructions - BEFORE you unclip the collar at 1, you need to clamp the hose at 2 first, otherwise all the LDS will come gushing out as soon as you remove the collar as the LDS is still under some pressure.

Clamp the hose, remove the collar, get your bucket and then unclamp the hose:

If you are going to fully depressurise using Lexia, you will probably need to apply pressure to the tank 0.5 bar as per my other post you've just 'liked'

Remember you will need to follow the system bleeding procedure fully afterwards:

• Start Engine (car on flat ground)
• Wait for the vehicle height to stabilise.
• Put the vehicle in the high position then in the low position.
• Top up the level (if necessary). The fluid should be between the 'a' and 'b' marks in the diagram below.

  

• Move the steering slowly, from stop to stop, in both directions, 10 or so times, with the wheels on the ground.
• Check there are no bubbles in the tank.
• If some bubbles are present in the tank, allow it to degas completely ( 3 to 5 minutes), engine running without moving the steering wheel.
• Carry out 5 new movements of the steering slowly, from stop to stop, in both directions, with the wheels on the ground.
• Repeat this phase until the bubbles completely disappear from the surface of the fluid in the tank.
• Put the vehicle in the high position then in the low position.

Check the level and that there are no bubbles in the tank.
Carry out a road test and check the level of power steering fluid (With the engine stopped, and the cap screwed on, oil temperature 30°C).
N.B. : There must be no bubbles in the tank, otherwise repeat the bleeding procedure.

This behaviour can be caused when there is insufficient fluid in the tank or there is / has been a leak.

[vladd.alex]

Thank you Marc. Why I have asked about the diference between ensuring a proper LdS level with the system fully depressurised with Lexia or just the car position low, because for example on mine, when I have checked the level in the tank with the car on low position, I could see some LdS just on the bottom of the filling hole, but with the Lexia depressurising, I had to remove 0,5 l of LDS to be between a and b marks. Therefore, which should I trust in it? Level between a and b with Lexia depressurising or Mark between a and b without Lexia, just using the suspension adjustment buttons and put the car in the lowest position?

Sorry that I ask this again but I have to be sure that what I have done is good or I understood it wrong.

Best regards, Vlad.

[GiveMeABreak]

Just keep the fluid levels between A & B on the LOW setting when not using Lexia.

There will always be a extra fluid going back to the LDS tank when you fully depressurise the system with Lexia. So keep levels between A & B with the car on manual low setting and system not fully depressurised Vlad.

[vladd.alex]

Hmm that’s bad Marc because I understood to ensure the level between a and b with the system depressurised with Lexia. That’s why I have removed 0,5 l...

[vladd.alex]

That means the very next steps would be to buy 5 l of LDS and depressurise again, drain the tank, refill and after recreating the pressure, go LOW with the car and do the level a-b, right?

[GiveMeABreak]

Vlad, I would simply just leave the car in the LOW position, drain and refill - don't depressurise using the Lexia for a simple drain and refill operation. As you are not working on the suspension system or relevant components like the struts and pipes for example, there is no need to fully depressurise it.

[vladd.alex]

Perfect. Thank you so much. On Wednesday I will have all the quantity of LDS and I can start the changing operation. New info for me is that same fluid it’s also used for steering!

[GiveMeABreak]

Yes the same type from the same tank, so that's why it's very important to bleed it properly and get rid of all the 'fizz' or air bubbles.

[vladd.alex]

You’re the man . I will be back with my results, hope it will work. I have spoken today with an employee from Citroen Bucharest and he told me that the maximum percentage of LDS capable to be changed is about 80%. Anyway better than 0%.

[GiveMeABreak]

Yes, that LDS you took out in the picture looked pretty black to me Vlad, so even 80% new will be better than that.

With the amount of replacement LDS both myself and the garage have put in after a new steering rack and front strut replacement - I don't think I need to change mine

[EDC5]

Black LDS? that doesn't sound good

[vladd.alex]

Hmm, not really black but far away of red...Looks like Coke.

[vladd.alex]

Updates from today.

I have changed the LDS (most of it).

Procedure that I have used:

After depressurising with Diagbox, using my Jack I have lifted the front right wheel and removed the wheel and the mud shield. After this, I have removed the pipe from the LDS tank and 4L of LDS I have succeeded in draining them. Nothing more!

After that, I have mounted everything back and filled the thank with 4L, then putting back the battery - and the pump has been started. Car has been lifted up and after one attempt of lifting and lowering, I have made the right level between a and b.

After that I have made the procedure described by Marc with the steering wheel and so on.

Now everything seems to be fine, except that I couldn’t chance at least 5 litres of LDS, but maximum 4. Hope this is fine....

I would recommend to depressurise using Diagbox before changing the oil because in this way you can change more oil (0,5 l more) that just lowering the car.

On mine I have seen that when I was just setting the car to low, the back was never completely down! 2 cm still lifted. So I have decided to depressurise and had the chance to change more old LDS.

What do you think?