2003 2.0 HDI ESTATE C5 rear cylinders DIFFERENT

[darbuck]

hi lads got the arms off but have to replenish bearings beside the car as the abs sensor is too tight to risk removing bearings tight but rear cylinder boots got damaged so have to replace them aswell now but i have discovered the passenger side ram is out further than drivers is this a major issue as in at least 50 mm difference and should i be able to push back in.

[wurlycorner]

I'm a bit confused...
So you have the rear suspension arms off the car.
The suspension cylinders/rams are still on the car.
Right?

If so, yes don't worry about what length they are sitting at. Provided the suspension system has been depressurised, you should be able to push the cylinder back in (he says being familiar with operation of LHM citroens, but not having yet tackled anything hydraulic on an Hydractive 3 system but assuming that the fluid will leak back in much the same way...)

If the suspension system is still pressurised, you don't have a hope in hell of compressing the suspension cylinder by hand.

[Bandit12]

The different lengths are not a problem mate. As Iain has said its just the hydro suspension and can be pushed back in once the system is depressurised. I did this job last year on my C5 and getting the ABS sensors out was a bit of a headache. I spent a week prior to the job getting underneath car and spraying every nut and bolt to be removed with plus gas to aid the process. If you have removed the small bolt that holds the ABS sensor in place then you can carefully using lots of plus gas or similar, a hammer insert a small flat blade screwdriver between the sensor lug and the wheel hub. The trick is to be careful, use lots of spray and take your time. There will be lots of built up road crud. It took me 30 minutes to extract mine, then another 10 minutes with wire brush to clean hole in hub out properly so the sensor could be installed correctly.

Regarding the rubber suspension boots- they come off easily but will leak fluid. the 2 pipes on the side are return feeds if I remember correctly.

Good luck with it

[darbuck]

Oh, allright so panick over cheers lads.