Citroen C5 VTR low pressure pipe failure

[chunky2778]

Hi all I have recently purchased an 09 1.6hdi vtr C5, it's had a little dribble of PAS fluid around the Osf subframe since I got it, on pulling the pipe out to try and replace the seals it the pipe is corroded and pitted and was weeping through a small crack.

I managed to get a new flange from a Peugeot steering rack, cut out the corroded piece and have a Flexi pipe made, however because I was on my back on the drive and in a rush I fitted it slightly twisted and it burst today.

The part is no longer available from Citroen, four dealers have just said they don't have to produce it still even though the C5 was produced until 2016/17?

Has anyone found a way around this at all please or does anyone have a low pressure pipe for sale at a reasonable price, part number is 4012P4.

[chunky2778]

Not sure if anyone else has done this but in the end pipes were impossible to find, so I cut the low pressure pipe off a 308SW for the flange, sent the pipe to my local pipe specialist and they've inserted some braided pressure hose similar to what is used in tail lifts.

Will post some pics later when I get the chance.

[chunky2778]

Not sure if this will help anyone or it's been done to death already but this is how I repaired it.

[GiveMeABreak]

Well done - watching all those episodes of Blue Peter paid of no doubt!

[chunky2778]

Well done - watching all those episodes of Blue Peter paid of no doubt!

Haha yeah, although I don't remember so much swearing in Blue Peter, it's not the best job to do on your back on the driveway

How are people normally getting around this problem? Is there a place that knocks them up as they're difficult to get second hand too.

[GiveMeABreak]

It's a big issue on these not helped by the lack of separate seals from Citroen and a comparatively short spares cycle compared to other models especially on HP / LP pipes suspension and PS parts. I believe that once they decided they were going to ditch the X7 and Hydractive, that they basically stopped commissioning spares and when they ran out that was it. Even a few years ago there were issues for parts on the last 2016 models - and I suspect they just hoped they would last the 5 years spares cycle.

We've heard here that one place bought up a load of pipes as they refurb a lot of the steering racks that leak and the associated pipes. In any case the X7 has been the worst car for steering racks and pipe failures I have ever seen as testified to by many members here.

I think it's going to be down to a bit of ingenuity and using similar parts to what you have done to get a solution.