C5 X7 suspension is stiff and won’t become soft

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Ardalan shabestari
Posts: 5
Joined: 29 May 2025, 17:22

C5 X7 suspension is stiff and won’t become soft

Unread post by Ardalan shabestari »

Hello everyone.
New here.

I have a 2008 C5 Exclusive with 106,000 km.
I replaced both front shock absorbers and spheres.
Everything was fine, then one day the front left shock absorber became stiff and won't change at all. Sport mode comfort mode works but the front left doesn’t change.

It goes up and down as many times as I want.
There are no warning lights on the dashboard.
I have 3 default codes:

U1118 fault: no communication with the
Smart Easement Control Unit. Says no signal.
U2118 alarm (height correction reception fault). Not identified.
U2005 alarm (vehicle speed reception fault). Not identified.

Could you help me?
The mechanic took out all the wiring diagrams and checked all the fuses, etc.
Everything is fine.

I've invested too much in this car.
I replaced the front left sphere one more time and the same thing again.
50 bar pressure the ones i bought i think. Bought it with chassis number.

Is the BSI module causing all this?
I had a problem with the rear light , and a PSA technician told me that the BSI wasn't responding.

Thank you very much 🙏🏽
Kees
Donor 2024
Posts: 562
Joined: 16 Nov 2021, 16:16
x 144

Re: C5 X7 suspension is stiff and won’t become soft

Unread post by Kees »

What type of C5 we talking about?
These new struts, where do you buy them from?
The fault 2005 can you ignore, because this one comes from the diagbox itself.
With the diagbox you can test the soft/sport mode, but you need someone to help with this test.
It seems there's something wrong with the height sensors.
Ardalan shabestari
Posts: 5
Joined: 29 May 2025, 17:22

Re: C5 X7 suspension is stiff and won’t become soft

Unread post by Ardalan shabestari »

It’s a 2008 C5 X7
I got them from a seller on ebay.
First one was working alright then had a leak so i replaced it again and after 2 weeks i thought maybe its not bled totally and it wasn’t so i bled the system. And 24 hours later it went crazy.

The front of the car was too high it was very visible so i manipulated the front sensor to bring it a bit down. It came down but still stiff on front left.

But do you think i had to manipulate with the computer to bring it down?
Kees
Donor 2024
Posts: 562
Joined: 16 Nov 2021, 16:16
x 144

Re: C5 X7 suspension is stiff and won’t become soft

Unread post by Kees »

You still don't say what car we talking about is it a gasolin, diesel, 2.0, 3,0.
How can we help if we don't have these information!!
About this complain of the car, on the forum here there are several with the same complaint when they changed the struts with one from Ebay.
At the end i came to the conclusion that the strut was faulty. But i can't explain why and what is wrong with this struts from Ebay.
About manipulating the height sensor, did you mark the original position?
Ardalan shabestari
Posts: 5
Joined: 29 May 2025, 17:22

Re: C5 X7 suspension is stiff and won’t become soft

Unread post by Ardalan shabestari »

My bad, it’s a 2.0i with automatic transmission.
Oh really. But how can i make sure if it’s the strut.
It’s really weird and un drivable.

The original hight was 77cm now it’s 70cm.
Also on the anti roll bar theres rust where it originally was. So i moved a bit.

I read all of the forums. Can’t really find exactly my problem.
Kees
Donor 2024
Posts: 562
Joined: 16 Nov 2021, 16:16
x 144

Re: C5 X7 suspension is stiff and won’t become soft

Unread post by Kees »

The height should be +-73 cm.
In youre case I mount the original strut again, it's the quickest way to solve the problem.
Because when the suspension is functioning properly, you know the problem is in the new strut.
You also know that the problem came with the new strut.
Also put the clamp back in the original position.
Normally the height correction is done by the diagbox.
Ardalan shabestari
Posts: 5
Joined: 29 May 2025, 17:22

Re: C5 X7 suspension is stiff and won’t become soft

Unread post by Ardalan shabestari »

Hello.

I contacted the company selling these cheap parts.
They said to send back and refund.
I bought original made in spain psa strut from a polish company.
Now it’s how it should have been.
It’s fixed and when i push down the hood it’s very very soft.
Thank you for your advice.

Now the front right is a bit stiff compared to original psa one front left.
But for now it’s okay till i sell it.

Take care.
Last edited by Ardalan shabestari on 09 Jun 2025, 06:25, edited 1 time in total.
Kees
Donor 2024
Posts: 562
Joined: 16 Nov 2021, 16:16
x 144

Re: C5 X7 suspension is stiff and won’t become soft

Unread post by Kees »

Good job!!
So, I'm now convinced that the struts from this company has a design fault, i also think they know it,because the price is to cheap oposit the original ones.
Maybe for other users you put here the name of the company.
Greetings,
Kees.
Ardalan shabestari
Posts: 5
Joined: 29 May 2025, 17:22

Re: C5 X7 suspension is stiff and won’t become soft

Unread post by Ardalan shabestari »

https://ebay.us/m/OBFMRL

They are called moto distribution shop.
They only sell french and original parts.
Psa told me 650€ for one strut. This shop sells for 300€ and the C6 struts for 700€.

Maybe i’ll request to send back the front right too.
It’s hard compared to the original one.

My kind regards.
Kees
Donor 2024
Posts: 562
Joined: 16 Nov 2021, 16:16
x 144

Re: C5 X7 suspension is stiff and won’t become soft

Unread post by Kees »

Ohh, this is even a lot of money, because you can also buy them for around 170 Euro.
Here in the Netherlands is around 350 Euro and average price for a good quality.