Steering rack diagram - Citroen C5

[Cupi34]

I’m having serious problems with the steering on my Citroen C5 2006. The local garage have found leaks from the rack and the steering has gotten heavy. They didn’t have enough information on this particular vehicle, so he asked me if I could send a detailed picture/diagram of the rack. And which type it is. Since this is a hydraulic Citroen, it uses the same oil for steering as well as suspension. Is this car any different to a Peugeot 407 for example who shares some parts with the C5.

I need a complete diagram of the steering rack itself to send to the repair shop to determine if they can fix it or not. This is because they work mostly on VW and Mercedes so they need a detailed diagram/ picture as much as possible of the steering rack to determine for sure if they can fix it. It not possible for me to use a Citroen dealer as they are far away from where I am.

Appreciate help.

[Gibbo2286]

There's a long thread of posts on here about leaky C5 steering racks but I think it refers to the later model, maybe Norway got it earlier

[GiveMeABreak]

I'm assuming this is the same C5 MK II with VIN ending in 473? In a nutshell - it really depends where the leak is. As you have probably determined from many of us here with X7s, some of us are on our third steering rack due to rusted pinion shaft and the deterioration of the Low / High pressure 'O' ring seals that we can't get from Citroen. The good news it that Citroen do supply the seals on the Mark II steering rack for the pipes, shown as items 7 & 8 on the Power Steering Pipes Parts Table

What you really need to determine is the cause. Has your pinion rusted like most of ours? If it has, then there is no point in paying the labour to take all this lot off and replace the seals if the pinion shaft has rusted into the seal - as the rust will have deformed the sealing area and contaminated the interior of the rack and the seals in there too - if this is the problem.

Here's a rusted one:

Have a look at the other pictures here on the X7 Steering Rack thread:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=60155&hilit=pinion+ ... 65#p577764

Here is the diagram and part numbers of the rack for your C5:

Click to Zoom the Images

Power Steering Rack	Steering Rack Parts Table
Power Steering Piping	Power Steering Pipes Parts Table

[Cupi34]

Thanks Marc, I dont know what has happened to be honest. It looks like the leak comes from where the box control valve is. Do you have closer diagram of that?

My VIN is VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]********

[GiveMeABreak]

I'm not sure where you mean 'box control valve'?

[Cupi34]

Its where the power steering pump delivers a constant flow rate to the steering rack or box control valve. A friend of mine who have experience disassembling steering rack from his car. He looked under the car.

Where do you get all pictures and information sheets showing mechanical and electric features from?

[GiveMeABreak]

Ok, so on your C5 with the EW10A Engine, you have the Electro Pump Assembly, so not mechanically driven. See below:

(12)LDS fluid reservoir. (13)High pressure piping. (14)Distribution valve. (15)Steering mechanism. (16)Low pressure piping. (17)Power steering electropump assembly. The flow provided by the power steering electro-pump varies as a function of the following parameters: Vehicle speed Speed of turning the steering wheel Regulation pressure: 100 to 5 bars.

[Cupi34]

That was a good illustration of where the electro pump and pipes are located. But Marc, are the 2 first illustrations specific to my cars VIN number as well?

[GiveMeABreak]

Yes, the diagrams are from your VIN specifically.

[Rak]

Hi Marc,
I own a C5 2012 Diesel model.
There's a steering oil leak issue and upon diagnosis, my mechanic says that we need to change the 'Radiator Power Steering' (Part 4 - 401351) based on the part diagram and table you have provided above.
The problem is, I'm not able to get hold of a replacement. Upon checking with the local Peugeot, they told me that they don't have it. Any chance you could help find where I can get one.
I'm based in North West, on the outskirts of south of Manchester. I have an MOT due in the first week of Dec as well.
Any quick help would be very appreciable.
-Rak