Sprung a leak!....not what I thought!!...latest news!

[GiveMeABreak]

Pete, I've merged these 2 topics together as they are related and may help others with diagnosis.

So it was the dreaded Steering Rack then after all! Don't forget to add it to the X7 Poll!

This is the replacement Part for your X7

Click to Zoom

Replacement Part 9801415480

Not sure what they mean regarding 'sensors' - there isn't one on the X7 that I am aware of - I think this is probably relating to vehicles with incorporated Electric Power Steering pumps on the rack.

[milleplod]

Thanks Marc. At least I've ordered the right part - even I couldn't get it wrong with just the one to pick from!!

There's a fair old leak under the area of the pedal box now, I don't know quite how it was getting towards the front of the car though. I'm trying not to use the car at the moment for fear of the seal going 'pop' and dumping the whole system's capacity in one go! Could that happen....??

Pete

[GiveMeABreak]

I think you'll find it is a gradual affair - but like anything under pressure it will only get worse - and with LDS being 10 x the price of diesel, I wouldn't want to be gushing too much of that away! So make sure you have plenty of that in stock and in case you need it, here is the bleeding procedure in my post here:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=59694&hilit=bleed#p569407

[milleplod]

Thanks Marc...again!

In the thread your link takes me to, I noticed a comment from sloppysod....."The prices quoted above is about right for the the standard rack, and not a car with variable steering". Does that mean there are 2 sorts of rack on the X7, or is that comment related to the earlier models?

Pete

[GiveMeABreak]

I think that is in relation to the Variable Steering system on some of the V6 models. It won't be relevant to your car Pete and the rack I have pictured above is for your VIN specifically - from Citroen Service today.

[bobins]

There are two types of rack for the C5 X7. Info taken from my post about how to replace them https://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/ ... =3&t=57734

"There's no difference between saloon and estate, manual or auto, but there is a difference between those originally fitted with 16 " wheels (1.6Hdi engined ?) and those with 17",18", and 19" wheels (all other engines ?). 16" wheels have a long travel rack 92mm/92mm, and the 17", 18", + 19" wheeled ones have a short travel rack 90mm/90mm."

[milleplod]

Evening all.

My rack should be here tomorrow, I got it from this place, the only one I could find with one on the shelf - http://www.autosteerdirect.co.uk/ £200 with a 3-year warranty, £150 surcharge pending return of mine.

Anyway, I've picked up advice that I (or the chap fitting it!) could have problems getting the pipes sealed after removal as the actual seals can fail once they're disturbed, and, as we know, new pipes with seals are on back-order.

Just wondering if people who've fitted a new rack actually had such problems. I saw something on a thread regarding replacement seals, but can't find it now!.....did someone find some that worked??

Pete

[bobins]

It's pot luck as to whether the seals leak or not after disturbing the pipes. I tested some HNBR rubber 'O' rings in LDS fluid and they seemed to be OK but......
....these genuine Citroen 'O' rings seem to do the trick:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PEUGEOT-CITR ... 3193195357

[milleplod]

It's pot luck as to whether the seals leak or not after disturbing the pipes. I tested some HNBR rubber 'O' rings in LDS fluid and they seemed to be OK but......
....these genuine Citroen 'O' rings seem to do the trick:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PEUGEOT-CITR ... 3193195357

Just ordered a pair - many thanks! If they don't do the job, I'll park the car up till Citroen decide to sort out a supply of new pipes!

Pete

[milleplod]

I've been talking to Malcolm at Savoy Garage about the seals. If I understood him right, are the originals green in colour? Googling tells me that green ones are HNBR, red are silicone - HNBR has better resistance to oils and chemicals apparently, although silicone seems to be similar but not as highly-rated for resistance. If the seals from eBay do spring a leak, are they easy enough to change with the new rack fitted, or does it all have to come off again for access?

Pete

[bobins]

IIRC, the original seals are the same colour as the ones in the eBay advert. I wouldn't want to do an in-situ seal change on the rack, but it could probably be achieved by slackening off various bolts and copious amounts of swearing in appropriate places.

[milleplod]

Well, the rack's now done! I took it to The Steering Specialists at Horbury, Wakefield, who've done half a dozen or so X7s in the last month, and rather a few more prior to that!

They rebuilt my own unit, price at the counter including fitting was £320 all-in, although their eBay listing is priced at £355 to cover fees and whatever. It comes with an 18 month, unlimited mileage warranty. No problem with seals at all, they buy theirs in bulk form an engineering supplies place, apparently, and have never had one back for a leak, so they must be using the right ones!

Right, off to start a new thread on my next issue now.....

Pete

[Stickyfinger]

That is a good price, what do they do about the pinion shaft damage ?

[milleplod]

That is a good price, what do they do about the pinion shaft damage ?

I don't know, and have to admit to not asking!

Pete

[milleplod]

I got in touch with the place that did the job and asked just what they do. Here's the reply -

Thanks for the feedback. The shaft is machined and a new up-rated seal is used that is slightly oversize. The shaft is then greased to avoid the corrosion happening again. I recommend that the shaft has a little copper grease applied every service to stop any future corrosion.
Regards
James.

Pete