C5 Rear Suspension Leak

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adecaddick
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C5 Rear Suspension Leak

Post by adecaddick »

I have a 2001 C5 2.2HDi Auto Hatch, which has failed its MOT due to the following:-

Offside rear fluid suspension unit leaking

The local garage I took it to for the MOT have told me it needs a new suspension unit and have quoted me £100 for the part and another £100 for fitting, I have called a local Citroen specialist and they have said it is probably the ram or something like that at have quoted £120 - £140 +VAT for the part and fitting.

Has anyone else had this sort of problem and how was it sorted?

Had a look under the car myself while it was on the ramps to see how bad the leak was after being told on the phone by the mechanic that it was 'pissing' out, this is a slight exaggeration, it is wet around the rubber boot but was not pouring out like he said, the nearside rear is bone dry, but the offside is wet, does it need a new suspension unit, rod, etc or is it just a seal that needs replacing somewhere?

Any help would be most appreciated.
citronut
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Post by citronut »

have you had new rear spheres recently by any chance,

i fitted a set of new spheres to a new customers XANT a couple of weeks ago,

this car was :bouncy: ing all over the place,

he had bin to a bunch of ima grunts before hand to have them do this work,

they attempted to remove the N/S/R sphere and in the process rotated the suspension unit by about 180 degrees, and yanked out the plastic vent and return pipes from the susp unit boot, these pipes are just a push fit,

these :grr: ejuts told the owner the car will need two complete new suspension units,


when i got under there i found that side susp unit soaked in citro blood, and the metal feed pipe bent over at a tight right angle,

i managed to bring it all back to were it should be,

i also managed to remove the old spheres with my genuine citroen clamp type tool giveing it a sharp bash with my club hammer,

if this is the problem with your car i will fix it for £140 quid :yes:


regards malcolm
adecaddick
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Post by adecaddick »

Malcolm,

No I have not had new spheres fitted, this whole fiasco started on Saturday when I foolishly took my car to Kwik Fit for its MOT (BIG MISTAKE) they failed it on numerous things, including front suspension leak, rear suspension leak, power steering leak, uneven brakes....

Took it to a Citroen specialist 20 miles from me who checked it over and said there was nothing wrong with it at all and it should never have failed the MOT, so went to local small garage to get it MOT'd again and they also have said it is leaking, having read through these forums tonight think it may be the suspension cylinder or hopefully just the seals that need replacing.
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Post by myglaren »

Check the gaiter very thoroughly - they often develop a slight split and can pump out the return fluid through the split instead of the return line, the rams are designed to leak to lubricate them and the leaking fluid returned to the reservoir.
Mine did it a couple of years ago. £12 to fix it, no further problems.
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Post by mooseshaver »

I had a Dealer MOT my 02 C5 when I had it, and they failed it on similar grounds (and refused to let me drive it as they said it was dangerous) and they replaced both suspension cylinders. I did not know at the time that they should have been able to just replace the seals inside. And I just believed them that it was dangerous and did not take it elsewhere.
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Post by myglaren »

They cannot legally prevent you from removing your car from their premises - it was a trick Quickfit were infamous for employing but has no legal status.

You can however be fined for operating a vehicle in a known dangerous condition if you were to be subsequently stopped by the police.
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Post by adecaddick »

myglaren

what did you have replaced on yours??
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Post by myglaren »

Just the ripped gaiter.
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Post by adecaddick »

Thanks for your help, I'll mention the gaiter and seals when I drop it off on Friday, much rather pay less than £20 then over £100.
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Post by mooseshaver »

myglaren wrote:They cannot legally prevent you from removing your car from their premises - it was a trick Quickfit were infamous for employing but has no legal status.

You can however be fined for operating a vehicle in a known dangerous condition if you were to be subsequently stopped by the police.
Part of it is knowing your rights, part is having the balls to stand up to them.
C5 III Tourer 2.0 HDi 163 Auto Exclusive
Gone cars.
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C5 1.6 HDi VTR Estate 56. Traded in.
C5 2.2 HDi SX Estate 02. Drowned in the floods of 09.
C3 1.4 HDi 92 SX 52.
Saxo 1.1 East Coast.
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Post by myglaren »

Very true but it is your car, not theirs, they have no cause to impound your property.
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Post by citronut »

all they are doing is trying to force you to spend money with them, and as Steve say's they cant make you have the work carried out at there premmisis,

regards malcolm
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Post by civvie »

Adecaddick,
Just done mine, the seals can be replaced while the suspension unit is on the car its a bit fiddly but it can be done. I did both sides but only one was leaking, the first one I took the unit off the car to replace the seals, but when I started the other side I had an idea what to expect so did it on the car. Seals cost about a fiver from Citroen, they usually have to order. Three seals are needed but when you take the piston out of the unit you will see two seal positions, this flumaxed me for a while then found one seal position has one seal on top of other. If you decide to do it yourself I can tell u what I did. Mind as its an MOT failure you want it done asap.

Steve
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Re: C5 Rear Suspension Leak

Post by Duncan.P »

hi I need to do the 3 rear suspension strut internal seals and would like to know how you get the slip seal to sit inside the oil seal?
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Hyundai tuscon
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Re: C5 Rear Suspension Leak

Post by civvie »

Crikey Duncan that was a few years ago all I can remember is I took it slowly and carefully, don't remember it being too hard. JUST take your time at it.
Good luck and make sure you put the correct seal in each groove.
Steve

C5 2.2hdi auto until I sell it (sold it) now have Peugeot 3008 1.6HDI (Now sold)
Had the jab a couple of days ago. Feb 21
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