Citroen C5 II - lifting questions

[DarioA]

Hello everyone.

I need to change my rear suspension boot.

How do I lift the car with depressurisation in mind? I know to put it on MAX height, and remove the LDS cap before lifting, but can I lift it in low position? Or can I put it in low after lifting to depressurise?

To summarise (let's say I have to depressurise manually via bleed screws), do I:

1. Lift the car up as usual on the lift, then "lower" the suspension and undo the bleed screws (LDS cap unscrewed at all times)
2. Lower the car onto the lift, then just lift it up and undo the bleed screws

or is there another method.

Thanks alot for the help.

[Kees]

It's not necessarily to put the car in the highest position to do this job.
Just turn the cap loose, put it on the lift and lower the car.
I assume you have not a diagbox?
When the car is low, disconnect the battery, and lift the car, because the wheel's are hanging, there will no pressure in the struts anymore.
Greetings,
Kees.

[DarioA]

Thank you Kees. No, unfortunately not yet, though this being my fourth Citroen, diagbox is long overdue. Planning on it soon.

Just to be sure,you say lower the suspension to MIN before lifting off the ground (LDS cap unscrewed), then raise the car up (wheels hanging) and depressurise the suspension either manually or via scan tool.

Possibly a dumb question, but do I depressurise front and rear as usual or is it possible to depressurise rear only for this job?

[GiveMeABreak]

If working on the rear only, then you can just depressurise the rea axle. Yes, undo LDS cap, then put suspension on low, but make sure you can get your lift underneath first). Then raise the vehicle. Make sure though that you lower the vehicle slowly afterwards as you don't want any fluid rushing back into the reservoir ( I don't know how you intend to raise the rear - both wheel or just one off the ground).

[Stickyfinger]

To clear up a common error

C5.Mk1 C5. Mk2 or C5x7

[GiveMeABreak]

I know in Europe they refer to the MK III (X7) as the MK II, but as far as many of us are concerned here we refer to the MK II as the MK I Facelift. But in any case you can still depressurise the front and rear axles independently on the MK II and X7.

[DarioA]

Thank you so much guys, in my country it is hard to find anyone who is willing to work on a hydropneumatic Citroen, let alone understand them and I don't really trust the average tech with it, being in the auto trade myself, I've seen too many instances of carelessness towards customers vehicles, so I try to DIY as much as possible, and all help from the many knowledgeble members here goes a long way and is more than welcome.

When I say MK2, I mean the 2004-2007 model, I believe Citroen themselves refer to it as the C5 II rather than the facelift. Mine is a late 2005 2.0 HDI AM6 SX liftback.

[GiveMeABreak]

Citroen term it as 'New Look' C5 in much of their documentation, but we just refer to them as MK I, MK II and MK III or X7 as it saves confusion.