Leaky rear suspension gaiter

[c.morewood]

I haven't seen this mentioned before and nothing like it comes up on a quick search.
I replaced the o/s gaiter round the rear suspension last week it has developed a split and was dripping LHM from near the cup area to the first part of the bellow. It was replaced with a new gaiter I'd had sitting around for a while and I was quite pleased that all the clips came out easily and the whole operation took less than 2 hours. however putting the car to bed tonight, about 100 miles after the gaiter replacement I noticed its leaking again from the same area. Any idea why this might happen? It was dry for the first couple of days.. bone dry and I was really pleased that everything was looking fine. I put the first leak down to maybe a stone or something but twice.. there's got to be something causing that.. just cant figure out what.

[CitroJim]

That's odd Chris. I need to think that one through...

[c.morewood]

Not the top pipes or the front end. Just another split. I've got one more 2nd hand one to try..the saloon and estate gaiters are thame same length aren't they?

[CitroJim]

I believe so Chris.... Be amazed if they were different...

[furriegurrie]

Check to see in the return line is clear and not kinked or blocked. Otherwise LHM will accumulate there and when there is enough it will find it's way out somewhere...

[c.morewood]

Good idea! Thanks

[CitroJim]

Is there a sharp edge that might be catching the gaiter on maximum suspension travel Chris?

[c.morewood]

I can't see how Jim.. the split is right down at the cup end extending from almost the cup to the first bellow. I can't see how anything could get there.. I initially put it down to something coming up from the road and I gave everything a good clean whilst I was under the car and had my hand all around there but couldn't feel anything sharp. unusually both leaks happened just after having moderate loads in the rear.
I mostly drive 1 or 2 in the car but I had a load of shopping in the boot before the first episode and a rear seat passenger before the second.. that may be just coincidence.
Not having a C5 to examine, do they have the same gaiter system, same size? I've got 2 more Xantia on my drive but neither taxed or insured but I really don't want to be pulling one of them apart for a gaiter that's probable NFP for the Xantia but may still be available for the C5.
Update: I see that eurocarcare are doing the suspension rams gaiters and the larger lds unions now.. Presumably the C5 rams will fit the Xantia? albeit with the lds unions.

[c.morewood]

I finally had time to,get the car up on stands and take a look. I checked no kinks in the pipes and pulled out the cup pin on the depressurised suspension. It turned out that there was a pinhole leak in the gaiter just at the edge of the cup seal. I decided to wait till the new gaiter arrives till replacing the old one. Instead I used some self amalgamating tape with a cable tie to hold it in place. Hopefully that will hold fir the next week or so.

[CitroJim]

So maybe just a coincidence then Chris? Badly made originally perhaps? Slightly perished new old stock?

[c.morewood]

Yes Jim, Dissapointing though as I bought it new in 2013 when I had ll the hassle with the pins and discovered dowty seals.. no chance of returning it.. I should have used the second hand one I've got in the box.. sods law, I used the new one 'cause I thought it'd last longer

[white exec]

If you need to try to rescue your almost-new but split gaiter, clean it up thoroughly (detergent, alcohol) and use some superglue on the split. It works especially well on 'rubber', but get it right first time.

[c.morewood]

Thanks, but the tape is holding for now.and the new ones from, eurocarparts , reduced to £5, will be here tomorrow,