C5 X7 Rear suspension strut pipe connection 'O' ring

[Paul-R]

My X7 is down on its uppers (has been for some time but that's another story) with an oil leak that seemed to drip off the edge of the LH sphere but, looking closer, I could see that it was coming from the top of the strut. That's where the oil pipe goes in so I'm hoping that it's the 'O' ring that's failed. Maybe the pipe itself has sprung a leak so I'll check that as a second 'best'.

Anyway, the 'O' ring doesn't have a part number that I can find so I'm looking for information about its dimensions and material (Viton?). I'll probably take the pipe off to look for splits in the metal and I can see there's also a seal at the other end which I'd like to look at and possibly replace when it's off the car. I think they're both circular in cross section.

Annoyingly, the removal and refitting instructions for the rear suspension cylinder even instruct you to fit a new seal without giving a part number or dimensions or material!

[mickthemaverick]

Assuming this is for your 2013 Tourer Paul, have you asked Chevronics or Pleides about these seals?

[Paul-R]

No, not yet. I only started working on it yesterday. But there's a company specialising in seals of all sorts near to me.

[cit-rotti]

I hope this page is helpful.

Listed in the current Service Hotline and also in DocBackUP 2013 under ‘Suspension’ // ‘Pipe Brackets’

01 5280 P9 01 SEAL, DIAM 10

02 5280 Y2 01 O-RING SEAL FOR SPRING CYLINDER, DIAM 10 MM

03 5280 Q0 5280 Q0 01 O-RING SEAL FOR SPRING CYLINDER DIAM 3.4 TOR 1.9

04 5280 V9 01 O-RING SEAL FOR SPRING CYLINDER
DIAM 4.75 MM

[Paul-R]

Thank you.

Listed in the current Service Hotline and also in DocBackUP 2013 under ‘Suspension’ // ‘Pipe Brackets’

But I repeat myself from another post. How unbelievably stupid to put it there.

[cit-rotti]

It’s already in the Bible:
Seek, and you shall find

[Stickyfinger]

It’s already in the Bible:
Seek, FOR AGES and you shall find

fixed that for you

[Paul-R]

Even what is there is less than helpful as the diagrams don't show which O-ring goes where.

I'm actually thinking of getting someone with a 4 post lift to do the job. I can barely see, let alone access, the top mounting bolt lying on my back with the rear end on axle stands. This brings up another problem, getting the car to a garage given it's down on the bump stops. I can see that it might be possible to jam a lump of wood in where the rear bump stops are but I'm not so sure about the front.

The other option is cut my losses and scrap the car.

[Stickyfinger]

Join the AA/RAC etc, wait a few days, drive it a mile on it bum, call them and have it recovered to the garage.....cancel AA/RAC

[Lenny]

I can barely see, let alone access, the top mounting bolt lying on my back with the rear end on axle stands.

It's not actually as bad as it looks.
I had the same reaction as you when I looked at changing this pipe, but it wasn't a bad job in the end (on my back, under the car on axle stands).

[Paul-R]

I can barely see, let alone access, the top mounting bolt lying on my back with the rear end on axle stands.

It's not actually as bad as it looks.

Can I pay for your train fare to Wirral?

[Paul-R]

Buoyed by Lenny's words I went back underneath yesterday and was able to reach both sides of the top bolt. Even better I undid the nut and punched the bolt through. I've decided to replace the complete pipe assembly and have ordered a replacement so, just have to wait for it to arrive. Oh, and some half-decent weather.

[Paul-R]

I started work on it a couple of days ago after the pipe and bottles of LDS had arrived.

Yesterday was a complete waste of my time. A procedure I hadn't even mentally allocated any time for ended up taking all day - about five hours. What could take so long? It was trying to remove the plastic cover over the centre spheres. No problem with the two side screws but the nut in the centre? Advanced rust meant that a 10mm socket no longer fitted. Neither would a 3/8" socket. The nut lies in the fold between the two spheres meaning it's difficult to get at and my brother made several journeys back to his house for various tools. He suggested that we just snap the stud off but I didn't like that and persevered. Eventually I got it off just as the night (and cold) started kicking in. I had used various sizes of mole grips and very judicious application of heat from a blowtorch which, with plenty of oil, did the job.

After an even colder morning today meant a late start but fortunately there were no more gotchas, just a matter of plodding through and all was done just as the light started fading this afternoon. Tomorrow morning will be brake disc cleaning before I get round to filling the reservoir with LDS. I should have it back on the road next week though.