Re C5 X7 front left (NSF) suspension strut constantly failing

[Fishface]

Hi All, I have a Citroen C5 X7 and I have changed the front left strut (NSF) three times now and it just keeps leaking. They seem to last 3 months and then start to leak. The knuckle broke a few years ago and was replaced i.e. the whole cast suspension leg. Since then I had a garage fit the first strut which started leaking after a few months. Due to the fact they had the car six months and also damaged it I elected to replace it myself the second time and once again it lasted around three months and failed completely I.e. over boarded all the LDS fluid. I then fitted a third strut and that is now leaking. Can anyone suggest why this might be happening? I am at the end of my tether with it! I have owned lots of citorens with hydraulic suspension systems including a BX, Xantia and a Mk2 C5. I have never experienced anything like this. Thanks in advance for any help or advice you can offer.

[mickthemaverick]

Where are you getting the struts from?

[the-termin8r]

Don't buy aftermarket, they're notoriously garbage, always go OEM with struts. They'll last years until eventually the foam dampers in the top mounts start to crumble.

[Fishface]

I have bought them from various sources, they all look exactly the same but are obviously aftermarket not OEM. Are the aftermarket ones really that bad? I thought I was losing my mind or that there was some kind issue with car causing them to fail. I live in Bristol and the roads here are absolutely awful so it takes a battering. The other three struts are original with 180k on them! Where is the best place to get struts?

[mickthemaverick]

I'd suggest your safest bet is from a dealer

[Fishface]

Does anyone know what they cost from Citroen. I am standing by fo wallet ectomy! Nothing can be as bad as these things failing constantly.

[Vic Evans]

I once had problems with suspension wishbones with built in ball joints on my Pug 806.
The originals failed a control after many years followed very quickly by their replacements supplied & fitted by the village Dad & Son Peugeot agency.
The replacement's replacements were being fitted when I 'popped in' to ask the owners to keep the old 'uns for me as I wanted to take their short life up with the main agents who I assumed supplied the Peugeot parts.
Bloody hell! you should have seen the panic that ensued with all sorts of offers in compensation as it was obvious they were scamming me & certainly many others by fitting
after market parts whilst charging full whack main dealer prices.
I settled for a replacement set at no cost, Father retired & Sonny Jim went bust soon after.

[mickthemaverick]

Ouch!! https://citroendirectparts.co.uk/produc ... &model=524

[the-termin8r]

Don't buy from the dealer, they cost a bloody fortune. I got my front pair from Eurofrance24 earlier this year for about half the price.

https://eurofrance24.com/shock-absorber ... 96780.html

https://eurofrance24.com/shock-absorber ... 96880.html

[Lenny]

I bought my last one from Amazon...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Active-Absorbe ... 1b6e3d217f