Xantia - rear suspension leak

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Jaf
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Xantia - rear suspension leak

Unread post by Jaf »

Happy new year everyone!

Having fixed one leak on a 3 way pipe, changed rear spheres, I now have a small leak from the left side rear suspension gaiter. The gaiter is completely shot, but so's the one on the other side and that one doesn't leak. Is this a sign of something else or do I just change both gaiters?

Am thinking to pull the whole assembly out backwards? Any ideas please? As usual I'm not following the BOL way of description.

Thanks! Photo below of dodgy gaiter. And bonus photo of gorgeous Alfie.
20230107_130012.jpg
IMG_20230107_160604.jpg
Fred, a silver 1998 1.9TD SX Xantia.
Gwin, a white 1994 1.1 AX.
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CitroJim
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Re: Xantia - rear suspension leak

Unread post by CitroJim »

Loving Alfie 😀 What cute boy he is 😎

A little leakage into the gaiter is normal, hence there's a leakage return lne on it... There will not be a huge amount but then again, a little LHM goes a long way..

They're easy to replace once the suspension cylinder is removed from the subframe and that's not hard - usually...

Remove the sphere and disconnect all pipes... Then pull out the 'R' clip that hold the pushrod into the suspension trailing arm. After that the cylinder will pull out after manipulating the pushrod.

The big issue in the UK at least, is that 'R' clip can rust so badly that it becomes almost impossible to remove and to do so becomes a real battle involving drilling it out in extreme circumstances

Hopefully, in Spain it won't be an issue but do douse it in penetrating/releasing fluid for a few days prior.

That gaiter must be replaced soon as dirt and grit can damage the exposed piston by scoring and pitting it. Have a good look at it for damage, especially scoring along its length, as such damage can increase the rate of LHM leakage from it and may account for one side appearing to leak more than the other...

Hope that helps and here's hoping your 'R' clips pop out easily!
Jim

A bit of a Citroen AX fan...
RichardW
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Re: Xantia - rear suspension leak

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I had to remove the entire trailing arm complete with the cylinder on mine as the clip wouldn't come out... there is *JUST* enough room to manipulate it out with the cylinder in place.
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Jaf
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Re: Xantia - rear suspension leak

Unread post by Jaf »

Thanks Jim. It is utterly revolting in there. LHM and dirt roads make nasty mud, but it's not rusty. I've ordered the gaiters so have time for more cleaning and making sure the R clip's are free.

Hope I have better luck than you, Richard!
Fred, a silver 1998 1.9TD SX Xantia.
Gwin, a white 1994 1.1 AX.
Jaf
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Re: Xantia - rear suspension leak

Unread post by Jaf »

Well the R clip was easy, got gaiter changed. But the metal pipe is now leaking like a full flaming tap. Tried reseating it twice, but no joy. Am hoping that the thread has got a bit of muck in it. Arrrggghhhh. Will change the gaiter on the other side tomorrow, while I remember how to do it.
Fred, a silver 1998 1.9TD SX Xantia.
Gwin, a white 1994 1.1 AX.
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CitroJim
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Re: Xantia - rear suspension leak

Unread post by CitroJim »

Pleased to hear the R Clip did not put up a fight Jaf but very annoying about the leak :twisted:

Here's hoping it's an easy fix [-o<
Jim

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xantia_v6
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Re: Xantia - rear suspension leak

Unread post by xantia_v6 »

Are those joints steel flares, or Citroen joints with rubber sleeves?
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CitroJim
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Re: Xantia - rear suspension leak

Unread post by CitroJim »

xantia_v6 wrote: 15 Jan 2023, 09:44 Are those joints steel flares, or Citroen joints with rubber sleeves?
I believe Hydractive will be steel flares and non-hydractive will be Citroen flares with rubber sleeves - as far as I can recall... Been a while now..

Jaf, I think yours is non-hydractive so check the rubber sleeve is in place, in good condition and has not made a bid for freedom..

If it looks a bit poor on one end it can be reversed to give it a new lease of life ;)
Jim

A bit of a Citroen AX fan...
Jaf
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Re: Xantia - rear suspension leak

Unread post by Jaf »

Yeah there's a little rubber tube seal in there (ordered some 3.5mm for the future). Took it out, gave it a squeeze and put it back. Cleaned the threads up and it's behaving now. Did the other gaiter, without touching the metal pipe since the gaiter was in better condition so I didn't want to check the assembly.
Fred, a silver 1998 1.9TD SX Xantia.
Gwin, a white 1994 1.1 AX.
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CitroJim
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Re: Xantia - rear suspension leak

Unread post by CitroJim »

Excellent Jaf and delighted this has had a nice, happy conclusion :D
Jim

A bit of a Citroen AX fan...
Jaf
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Re: Xantia - rear suspension leak

Unread post by Jaf »

Leaking again. Been for spanish MOT and during the test she started leaking again. Rats. I can see a leak from the left pipe. Going to swap the 2 pipes over in case that helps. Otherwise I guess I'll need a secondhand bit.
IMG_20230224_141429.jpg
Frank helping me type...
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Fred, a silver 1998 1.9TD SX Xantia.
Gwin, a white 1994 1.1 AX.
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CitroJim
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Re: Xantia - rear suspension leak

Unread post by CitroJim »

Rats indeed :twisted:

I believe that's the clear vent pipe Jaf... Just check it's not blocked at its open end...

What it may indicate is the gaiter is now full of LHM. You could be looking at a failed cylinder with excess leakage occurring...

At least you know it'll not be difficult to swap knowing you can extract the 'R' clips easily...
Jim

A bit of a Citroen AX fan...
Jaf
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Re: Xantia - rear suspension leak

Unread post by Jaf »

Yeah thanks Jim.

Tis very, very cold out there. Also scrapyard closed till Wednesday cos its Andalucia day. So I'm having a few days inside in the warm!

The MOT chap was very concerned about the leak, made sure that I understood it was brakes/suspension/steering fluid. Got me in the inspection pit to show me. Quite sweet really. But honestly if he thinks that's a worryingly leak he should see when one of the high pressure lines blew! This is just a drip. Hoping it's not a failed cylinder but it was the side that was leaking originally and I did remove the cylinder so I might have cocked something up.

Also need a couple of tyres, cracked in the sun. She has Michelin energy but they're not made anymore. Any recommendations?
Fred, a silver 1998 1.9TD SX Xantia.
Gwin, a white 1994 1.1 AX.
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CitroJim
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Re: Xantia - rear suspension leak

Unread post by CitroJim »

Sounds like a wonderful MoT tester Jaf...

You think it's cold where you are? Try marshalling at parkrun stood on top of an exposed hill for over an hour... It was like being in Siberia :lol: I needed a very hot coffee or two to revive me!
Jim

A bit of a Citroen AX fan...
Jaf
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Re: Xantia - rear suspension leak

Unread post by Jaf »

The weather changed a bit, from -5 to 28!! Glorious. (A bit hot for running, Jim :) )

Yesterday got the cylinder off and this morning popped to the scrapyard. Had a surreal experience where the chap took one look and tried to buy the old part from me! I'm trying to explain in my terrible Spanish that it's leaking but I think he just wanted it for the new gaiter. I eventually understood he doesn't have another cylinder. He offered me 30 euros!

I've found a cylinder on ebay. Would anyone know if any will fit? It's off a 1.6.

Once I've replaced it I'd like to have a go at the seals on the original one, if anyone has any tips.
Fred, a silver 1998 1.9TD SX Xantia.
Gwin, a white 1994 1.1 AX.