Help needed C5 mk1 suspension possible leak

This is the Forum for all your Citroen Technical Questions, Problems or Advice.

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
User avatar
waynedance
Posts: 973
Joined: 29 May 2011, 22:56
Location:
My Cars:
x 8

Help needed C5 mk1 suspension possible leak

Post by waynedance »

Ok on the o/s/f suspension leg there is fluid leaking down, is there a seal or does it mean a new suspension leg?

Is there any special measures to working on the suspension like needing to pressurize up the system or bleeding or is it just a case of topping up fluid and starting the engine?

Thank you.
Volvo S80 D5.........
C5 2.2HDi Exclusive 2003 manual (now gone).
2009 Renault Megane, the misses drive.
Had a 1988 BX 19TRS Auto many moons ago.
Forgive any spelling mistakes, it's the phone not me.
User avatar
waynedance
Posts: 973
Joined: 29 May 2011, 22:56
Location:
My Cars:
x 8

Re: Help needed C5 mk1 suspension possible leak

Post by waynedance »

According to the dealer it means a complete replacement suspension leg, can someone confirm please.

Thanks in advance.
Volvo S80 D5.........
C5 2.2HDi Exclusive 2003 manual (now gone).
2009 Renault Megane, the misses drive.
Had a 1988 BX 19TRS Auto many moons ago.
Forgive any spelling mistakes, it's the phone not me.
411514
(Donor 2017)
Posts: 421
Joined: 14 Dec 2010, 15:26
Location: Sheffield, Uk
My Cars: Citroen C5 2.0 Hdi 2003
x 39

Re: Help needed C5 mk1 suspension possible leak

Post by 411514 »

I'm afraid I cannot give you a definitive answer but the struts are supposed to be self lubricating using lds, thus the leg may sometimes appear moist due to residual oil and I know that this can confuse many MOT testers and prompt a fail. To what extent is the leak, is it actually dripping, are you losing any lds from tank. A picture might help, Sam
Sam

2003 C5 2.0HDI 110
User avatar
waynedance
Posts: 973
Joined: 29 May 2011, 22:56
Location:
My Cars:
x 8

Re: Help needed C5 mk1 suspension possible leak

Post by waynedance »

Not my car but can see a lot of fluid compared to the other sides and my own car where they are just damp. You can get fluid on you finger from the leaking one.
Volvo S80 D5.........
C5 2.2HDi Exclusive 2003 manual (now gone).
2009 Renault Megane, the misses drive.
Had a 1988 BX 19TRS Auto many moons ago.
Forgive any spelling mistakes, it's the phone not me.
User avatar
myglaren
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 25366
Joined: 02 Mar 2008, 13:30
Location: Washington
My Cars: Mazda 6
Ooops.
Previously:
2009 Honda Civic :(
C5, C5, Xantia, BX, GS, Visa.
R4, R11TXE, R14, R30TX
x 4888

Re: Help needed C5 mk1 suspension possible leak

Post by myglaren »

Can't remember who it was now but someone here stripped them and renewed the seals for a fraction of the cost the dealer was going to charge for replacement units. Not a particularly difficult job either, as long as there is no pitting or scoring of the surfaces.

IIRC it cost around £35 for a set of seals.
User avatar
waynedance
Posts: 973
Joined: 29 May 2011, 22:56
Location:
My Cars:
x 8

Re: Help needed C5 mk1 suspension possible leak

Post by waynedance »

Thanks, do you know if you need to bleed system and just add fluid or is there something special to do?
Volvo S80 D5.........
C5 2.2HDi Exclusive 2003 manual (now gone).
2009 Renault Megane, the misses drive.
Had a 1988 BX 19TRS Auto many moons ago.
Forgive any spelling mistakes, it's the phone not me.
BX
Posts: 476
Joined: 30 Oct 2009, 00:53
Location: Ireland
My Cars:
x 17

Re: Help needed C5 mk1 suspension possible leak

Post by BX »

Yes and it can be very difficult if you want it to be. In practice the air will bleed itself out in a very short period of time. Just do your repair an reconnect the pipes. The bleeding will look after itself. Im not sure if the c5 strut can be easily dismantled. Second hand ones are plentiful.
User avatar
waynedance
Posts: 973
Joined: 29 May 2011, 22:56
Location:
My Cars:
x 8

Re: Help needed C5 mk1 suspension possible leak

Post by waynedance »

The thing is I work at a garage and the car in question is a customers and none the techs have any knowledge of the C5 suspension so not sure if want to tackle the job incase things go wrong.

Worried incase something goes wrong and stuck with a dead C5, the dealer was not to helpful and just wanted to sell a new suspension lel for nearly £400.
Volvo S80 D5.........
C5 2.2HDi Exclusive 2003 manual (now gone).
2009 Renault Megane, the misses drive.
Had a 1988 BX 19TRS Auto many moons ago.
Forgive any spelling mistakes, it's the phone not me.
User avatar
waynedance
Posts: 973
Joined: 29 May 2011, 22:56
Location:
My Cars:
x 8

Re: Help needed C5 mk1 suspension possible leak

Post by waynedance »

Another question if they go second hand are all the suspension legs the same (sport and non sport models)?

Thank you.
Volvo S80 D5.........
C5 2.2HDi Exclusive 2003 manual (now gone).
2009 Renault Megane, the misses drive.
Had a 1988 BX 19TRS Auto many moons ago.
Forgive any spelling mistakes, it's the phone not me.
Post Reply