New C5 owner with a few questions already

[aerodynamica]

Interesting on the Track Ace - I was thinking about buying one, seeing it in action successfully is persuasive! They are not much more than a single adjustment these days.

Hiya Richard, they're actually pretty good. The first time using it it's a bit fiddly and you kind of get it wrong but after a while it becomes quite intuitive. The results are repeatable so it's definitely accurate. You do need level ground and at least 1 meter either side. Are you still in Lanark? I can bring it over some time for a demo if you'd like.

The other thing I like about the trackace is that the guy that created it just developed it in his shed.

[KennyW]

Graeme,
What a coincidence my car has eaten tyres for breakfast and I found if any of the suspension parts are worn causes grief
Just done my wishbones recently and the tracking was ridiculously out
Just bought the trackage to do tracking as my local place charges £50 for a full check front and rear including looking at t suspension geometries

Kenny

[aerodynamica]

It's a good buy Kenny, it's a bit fiddly getting it right first time but one you master it you find the results are repeatable and pretty helpful. You'll end up wanting to check all the cars in the street

[aerodynamica]

Question about the single front to rear hydraulic pipe:

In due course I'd like to replace this pipe. The previous owner had it 'replaced' but I discovered lately that they've replaced part of it (the rearmost section that joins at the rear regulator) but must have joined it somewhere (still to find) along the length. I don't trust the repair long term and want to replace the lot. I don't have a way of making the pipe ends and plieades can't do them currently. My solution was to reuse the ends by using my citroen pipe flare kit to join the original ends to a long middle section. I have everything to do this but think I made a mistake! Can anyone confirm the pipe size (diameter) of the correct front to rear pipe on the X7? I thought it was 3.5mm but having looked at the pipe where it joins the BHI unit at the front it looks thicker and a quick caliper measurement shows it's closer to 4.5mm but may be more and that means I can not use the 4.5mm old citroen pipe size either. Is the pipe a different size? Or does it step down somewhere? The rigid pipe with rubber flex section at the rear certainly is 3.5mm size like the front regulator. It likely steps down to 3.5 from the possible 4.5+ at the straight joiner at the back. It stops my original plan of eliminating that 2 way joiner at the rear and continuing the new pipe all the way to the regulator with a coiled section in place of the rubber flex pipe (I'd like to replace this short pipe too). As that would effectively renew everything in one go.

[KennyW]

Graeme,

It’s 4.76 mm or 3/16” the imperial will do Easier to get.

Check if the Citroen flare tool die 4.5 will work for making a join otherwise it’s a normal brake flaring tool with adapters to fit in hydraulic pump.
Option 2 that’s how mine is fitted it is working fine. Can’t find the supplier now. He was from Russia.
Kenny

[KennyW]

Put the following in eBay

Citroen’ 9807562180’ in the search engine

Kenny

[aerodynamica]

Thank Kenny, it looks like he has made it with custom adapters.

[aerodynamica]

I'm thinking of purchasing this pipe after all. It appear to be a good solution although I'd be keen to have seen the structure of the bespoke pipe fittings. If you've had success with it Kenny then that's good enough for me!

[aerodynamica]

Here's a picture of the beast. This is how it appears after an overnight rest- the front suspension height is lower and when I open the locking it always raises up a bit before even getting in. Does this appear very low to anyone? It seems to ride fine.

1.

After unlocking:

2.

It appears barely any higher but it certainly does raise upon unlocking

[aerodynamica]

Hm, today I stopped at a motorway services to have a prod at the C5 HiFi after it mysteriously cut out and restarted and I spotted a C5! an earlier one.. couldn't see the owner but soon a recovery truck stopped nearby and I thought "ha I bet that's for the C5.." only half seriously but 2 minutes later it turned out it was O well. I wonder what the trouble was. It was loaded on the truck and taken away

The C5 Mk1 was actually looking in quite good condition. They must be getting rare because it really stood out in the carpark in a way that they never did before.

[aerodynamica]

Great! I kind of hoped it would at least wait until spring but it seems my steering rack has begun leaking....

[KennyW]

There is a steering rack specialist in Glasgow who know all about the X7 problems. I sourced my last rack from them. I believe they refurbish the racks as well.

I''l find the receipt and get the address and phone number.

Kenny

[aerodynamica]

Ah, yes Kenny, is it Glasgow Power Steering? I found their name in one of your older threads when searching for info on the racks.

[KennyW]

yes

[aerodynamica]

Well I've spoken to them today and they have apparently "hundreds of C5 racks in stock.." so I'll be paying them a visit on friday afternoon