Suspension collapse and p1shin what I guess is hydraulic oil

[boristhespie]

2006 Citroen C5 2ltr HDi.

Just had it back after 850 quids worth of work. We love our C5. Anyway it passed the MOT.

Took out for first jolly and as I came to end of what, 40 mile trip, the rear suspension basically collapsed. To the point that it clattered a solid tarmac road speed bump. I managed to drag it along to where I could park it. There is a thin trail of oil along the route I took and when sitting there it started p1shin oil behind the rear passenger side wheel.

Is my car boogered?

I'm a bit upset to be fair.
What may it be.

I find it somewhat coincidental that it blows the day after the garage had it, to replace rear calipers, disks and brakepads. Must not the garage did indicate that they had little experience of these hydraulic citroens.

But maybe it's just bad luck.and costly bad luck.

Any ideas.

[davoxx]

I'm no expert, but, sounds like a burst suspension pipe.
Cost to fix depends on which pipe, can be a simple short pipe in an easy-to-reach spot, or a pita long pipe from the front of car to the back.

[myglaren]

I had the long one burst on mine. Had that and a shorter one replaced as that was looking corroded too. Had to be ordered from France but only took a couple of days.
£90 all in.

[boristhespie]

This nothing the garage would led to? For example the procedure for replacing calipers etc?

Just to rule that out

[myglaren]

Can't rule it out. It was a long time ago now but I had to replace the rear discs on my GS.
Dismantling to change them resulted in the crusty pipes disintegrating. Replacing one led to the next one going, in the end I replaced all the suspension and brake pipes on the car, all but one anyway.
Which was fun, and expensive fun too.
So it is possible that a bit of carelessness in working on the calipers has stressed the pipes that were on their way to failing anyway.
Not that they are likely to admit it.

Fortunately I only had myself to blame for mine. That was in the days I crawled under cars for fun. First Citroen so it was all new to me too.

[boristhespie]

You did it yourself? Seen video. Look easy enough. Would need part numbers probably.

[myglaren]

You did it yourself? Seen video. Look easy enough. Would need part numbers probably.

I did the GS myself but not the C5. Left that to my local Polish garage. They have fair prices and are trustworthy. Nice people too. Just bought my third, or maybe fourth car from them. At least one C3 for my daughter and possibly two of them.

[boristhespie]

Just found out there's a polish garage here. I recon they've seen these cars more often. That said I feel I am locked into the one who changed the brakes incase they admit it.

Just hoping there was no damage done with the bottom of thr car. It clattered a few slight dips and thay speed bump.

[Kees]

You have to point out to then, FIRST PUT THE CAR IN THE HIGHEST POSITION, before jacking up the car.

[boristhespie]

Okay so one of my spheres went on my 2006 C5 2ltr HDI hatchback. Garage says they aint made any more but I have seen them about. Can anyone here advise with a link/part number or what to look out for in relation to the model needed for my car. Thanks.

Personally I recon that hit the speed bump which would mea it came after the initial drop but any help on sourcing the correct spheres would be appreciated.

[MGmike]

I'd be very surprised if it is a sphere as these are made of very thick steel to hold the nitrogen pressure inside them. It's more likely the ram it attaches to or a pipe.

Does your suspension have a sport button in the centre console i.e. is it H3 or H3+? It makes a difference to the spheres fitted.

[wurlycorner]

Would also be very surprised if it’s a sphere itself that’s leaking. Do you have any pictures of the area where the leak is from?

[boristhespie]

The car has two bottons so no. Mrk2 c5.

They said the shere had gone and had a hole in it. I did have a garage previously say the soere was very corroded and when I saw the photos it was. Thing is, I recon this is more a leak in a pipe and when the car got very low, it smashed the sphere when it hit the speed bump. But it was rusty.

I wish I could photos up on this site. Its a pain not being able to dorectly.

[Paul-R]

I wish I could photos up on this site. Its a pain not being able to dorectly.

You can upload photos directly. Have been able to do so for many years now.

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=56795

[MGmike]

The car has two buttons so no. Mrk2 c5.

Okay that's H3 and I think the sphere part number is 5272 75 with a pressure of 31 bar.
If you're struggling to find the right one I've got an old front one and unused Monroe sp8117 & sp8101. The Monroe's are 10 years olds and who knows what pressure is left in them but they would get you going in a pinch! or you could get one regassed to the correct pressure.