C5 MK2 54 reg jacking it up to change wheel

[marco f1]

hi all
is it right that when you jack up a C5 to change the wheel you have to raise the suspention up to its highest level.. why is this ?
and when you lower it do you have to do it very very slowley ? i know it sounds like a silly question but its the first C5 i have owned so i was just wondering
if its right or wrong.


marco

[Citroenmad]

Yes, put it into high before you jack it up, it also helps with the jacking.

The problem you can have if you don't put it into high is that the car thinks its too high when jacked up, as the wheels are hanging. SO when you come to let it down it sits on the jack as it has tried to lower in an attempt to get to normal heigh. This often happens on four poster lifts when getting tyres etc. A mechanic was swearing at my Xantia the other day as it had rested on the post lifts when he lowered it. When I took the car back I left it in high

You don't have to lower it down off the jack any slower than any other car.

Welcome to C5 ownership!

[marco f1]

many thanks for that info. i know its was a bit of a silly question but i thought i would ask and now i know..
when your citroen was on its backside did you just raise it up or did the car do it its self...


many thanks again

marco

[Citroenmad]

A very worthwhile question

The C5 will raise up to its normal suspension height when you open the door, as the pump is electric and operates when doors are opened or when the engine is running. There is no need to rev a C5 (or any other Citroen actually) to make it rise quicker, as you see some tyre fitters doing.

[marco f1]

thanks once agan for your quick reply. as you are a north east guy can you tell me were i can get or were you get discount car parts from. as i think i will need a dmf and clutch soon . i have been quoted £300 for dmf and £100 for clutch and £220 to fit. or can you get a solid flywheel and do away with the dmf ? i know you can get a replacment solid flywheel for a ford and do away with the dmf..

marco

[Citroenmad]

I get most of my Citroen bits from Wida Components, ring them up and get a price, they are very helpful, offer good prices and always deal in high quality parts.

I got a C5 clutch from them and it was a genuine LUC clutch in genuine Citroen/Peugeot packaging. I think I paid something like £289 for the DMF, around £100 for the clutch kit and £200 for fitting. Its a big job as the front subframe has to come down.

I often get ball joints and drop links from them as they are top quality, in fact usually come in Citroen branded boxes.

You can't get a solid flywheel for the 2.0 16v 138 HDi, I don't think such a kit exists. Its also to be advised against as damage has been done to other engine components after the dmf has been removed on other cars, such as a cracked crankshaft etc. I know the 2.0HDi 110 8v works well with a solid flywheel, however that engine was designed without one ...

There is also this place in Stockton, they have all sorts in and can get most things. Ive only used them a few times but its handy being in the area.

I mainly use Wida though, they deliver on a wednesday (might be tuesday but its wednesday this week ...) around here, so if you order it Monday you will get it delivered in a few days. If they dont have it in stock they will post it. They even supply genuine C5 carpet mats for £25, the Citroen dealer can't even get them now.

[marco f1]

cheers mate will try them i know the one you are talking about in stockton. i dont think thay are that cheap.. had a bad day today checked rear brakes and found out that the lugs on the caliper that holds the pin in place for securing the pads had worn away been told its a common fault as thay are alloy so i will need new calipers or find someone with a good cheap set for sale. so the car is sat on the driveway feeling sorry for itself. will have to ring around or try ebay to see what i can find.


thanks yet again.

marco ( who is very sad at the moment )

[Citroenmad]

You mean the hole which the pad pin goes through has pulled out?

I have had to replace one rear caliper due to that, I think they need a bit of care when removing and fitting the pin as it shouldn't wear away. The metal is too thin there though and recon ones are often worse! Are your pads wearing evenly or are the wedged shaped?

There is also AEP parts, an online shop but it lists a lot of things for C5s and at reasonable prices.

[marco f1]

yer its were the pad pin goes through and yes the pads are slightly wedge shaped so i will have to make sure thay are all clean when i put the new calipers on. i have located the 4 holes on the caliper were the large bolts hold it on to the car and sprayed them with wd40 just to make it easy to remove the caliper as people on this forum say thay are a bit tight to remove and are a pain in the backside. also is the suspention fluid seperate from the brake and clutch fluid just info for when i bleed the brakes dont want the suspention to calapse if its all on the same system.


marco

[Citroenmad]

The brakes have their own fluid so you should be ok there, though its always good practice to support a Citroen with axle stands if your working under it, you dont want to get flattened!

The power steering uses the same fluid as the suspension, but that is all.

[marco f1]

my mate has just been on ebay and found two calipers ( recon i think ) for £85 for the pair with free dell and a two year warrenty so i might go for them it will be better than going to the scrapyard . but i will ring around the auto part shops tommorow you never know lady luck might be on my side..


marco

[Citroenmad]

Sounds very cheap, Id get those as you might find scrap ones have worse problems than the ones on yours

[marco f1]

cheers mate i will keep you informed on what is going on and thanks for all help

marco

[myglaren]

Use Plus-Gas rather than WD40, far more effective.