PAS Pinion Valve - Timeframe to Failure

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 23 Jul 2009, 22:20

I noticed on the hoist yesterday, mine is getting a pretty decent leak. It doesn't spray out, but the drips seem regular enough.

As I understand it, eventually, they become seriously leaky. What might I expect in time taken to progress from a drip, through to urgent replacement being needed?

Thanks, Adam.

Clogzz · Unread post by **Clogzz** » 24 Jul 2009, 14:10

Had my pinion seals replaced in February, after leaking for nearly a year.
It didn’t get worse very fast, and it was only the top seal leaking.
There’s no way that I would have tackled that by myself, and I gladly paid $A750 to get it fixed by a steering mob.

Story here:
http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... hp?t=26192

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 24 Jul 2009, 23:28

The fact of having to R&R whether a repair works or not, makes me wary as you of a DIY approach to seal replacement. Thanks for an indicator of failure progress rate.

If I can work out an exchange with Pleiades UK, that would be nice - otherwise it'll be new.

jgra1 · Unread post by **jgra1** » 24 Jul 2009, 23:34

Hi Addo, yes an exchange with Martin is a good way forward..

mine never got any worse, but was annoying.. attempts at repair enabled partial power steering, only on left handers though...

may be in Oz in 5 months

Unread post by **myglaren** » 24 Jul 2009, 23:54

addo wrote:The fact of having to R&R whether a repair works or not, makes me wary as you of a DIY approach to seal replacement. Thanks for an indicator of failure progress rate.

If I can work out an exchange with Pleiades UK, that would be nice - otherwise it'll be new.

Doesn't Pleiades have an Australian branch?

davidc · Unread post by **davidc** » 25 Jul 2009, 07:33

Yes I used the Aussie branch for overhauling a regulator. Most likely Peter will prefer to overhaul your pinion rather than exchange as I would bet there are various versions. The service from was excellent with lots of good advice and a great chat (or two!) and the price was very reasonable. My pinion is at a similar state and have been musing whether I want to spend a weekend swearing at the car...
David

davidc · Unread post by **davidc** » 25 Jul 2009, 07:34

I left out - Peter

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 25 Jul 2009, 08:49

davidc wrote: The service from was excellent with lots of good advice and a great chat (or two!) and the price was very reasonable.

That's exactly and precisely the service we Poms receive from the UK end of the operation

How does Martin manage to be in two places at once

I agree Adam, get Pleiades to overhaul your pinion valve. It's a skilled job with plenty of opportunity to go wrong if you try to do it yourself.

And yes, there are a multitude of different ones as usual

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 25 Jul 2009, 10:15

I actually want to do my own reg shortly. It's - as you blokes would say - cream crackered, running more often than not even with a regassed accumulator (and I have checked for a leaky doseur). A good excuse to buy a gauge and some fittings!

John, you might be kept busy if you complain of being bored while in Oz.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 25 Jul 2009, 10:22

addo wrote:I actually want to do my own reg shortly.

Not a simple job Adam, as I found out at Pleiades. You need a hydraulic press to get the thing apart and then a good calibrated gauge and sets of shims to correctly set the cut-in and cut-out pressures. It can be done but you'll need to build a test rig to make a good job of it.

This is one area I'm very happy to leave to the specialist

jgra1 · Unread post by **jgra1** » 25 Jul 2009, 11:52

John, you might be kept busy if you complain of being bored while in Oz. Laughing

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 25 Jul 2009, 12:46

John, I wonder what the Customs will have to say when they search your luggage and find it full of spheres, seals, height correctors, pinion valves, pressure regulators and other Citroen ephemera

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 25 Jul 2009, 13:02

Hopefully they would say something, rather than just silently reaching for the packet of surgical gloves.

Unread post by **myglaren** » 25 Jul 2009, 13:34

I reckon they would just shoot him as a terrorist - all that bomb making equipment

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 25 Jul 2009, 22:39

Shoot him a wee dram of what?