Another C5 X7 suspension repair

[GiveMeABreak]

No problems - I'm not saying this will be the cause, but it would seem a little more plausible than the original explanation offered. I hope you manage to resolve it - the main dealers very rarely repair components any more - if something is wrong they are inclined to replace the whole thing - which can be very expensive as you have found out.

[GiveMeABreak]

Open Question:.....would this type of work, if it has not be correctly done, allow a claim back to the dealer who did the work ?

It would be difficult to prove though. Most modification work is usually done at service within the first 3 years unless the subject of a recall - but you won't get this showing up on any bills or invoices. All that warranty work I have had done - not a single bit of paperwork detailing it - all done via the Dealer and the Citroen warranty company. So apart from me knowing it, there would be nothing to hand down to the next owner to say it had been done. I would HOPE that Citroen would have this on their records database against the car for their own use - so maybe it is possible to ask them for a printout of the work done for a small fee for printing.

They could always turn round and say the car hasn't been regularly serviced with us - so we cannot be held responsible for it / who's to say it hasn't been altered by another repairer at some point.....
So a difficult one to lay blame at methinks.

[bobins]

I realise that this probably isn't related to the OP, but there have been at least two people passing along these ways with steering pipe / seals problems on their X7
https://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/ ... =3&t=56047
https://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/ ... hp?t=54129

[GiveMeABreak]

Yep, I was one of them - had my complete rack replaced. Rust in Pinion seal. Have the new design now, fingers crossed.

[bobins]

Yes, but the problem in those posts was the pipe that was gone, not the pinion.

[Filberton]

I have replaced pipe 2 in your image but that was due to a small bell-end crack on the swaged joint where it enters the rack but must agree that the two pipes should be well apart. When mine went I not only saw oil on the ground but was noticable in the steering and got a level warning.
If they have been touching and you got no alarm you may want to check for other hidden issues (dare I say such as accident damage)

My dealer said the pipe would have to come from France at ££££ but my local garage (old school) was able to make up a pipe for a lot less.




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[wurlycorner]

Great detective work by marc there and his proposal sounds plausible to me.
Not familiar with the X7 but going on the parts diagram, I can't see how on earth it would be possible for those two pipes to rub on each other!

[pelopelirrojo]

Got the car back yesterday. All sorted.

The pipes had not rubbed together. They had rusted and the leaks were caused by corrosion. Both power steering pipes had to be replaced.

The pump is OK. With the reservoir refilled it runs fine. Makes the same noise as it always did.

The price of brand new pipes plus fitting, fluid, suspension reset etc was circa £600. A lot less than the £2500 quoted by the dealer which included an unnecessary pump replacement.

I'm going to pay them a visit to ask for an explanation of why their technicians didn't bother with basic fault finding and attempted to get me to pay them for a new pump plus fitting when it wasn't needed.

[GiveMeABreak]

Well done on getting a repair and the proper reason of what caused the issue.

I will be interested to hear what they have to say!

[Paul-R]

As will I although I doubt you'll get a cogent response from them.