C5 X7 steering rack - the final reckoning!!

[centurus2400]

My car was delivered back to me on Friday, along with a rather large bill
The work was done by my local indy, but I'd decided that, as I want to keep the car for some time, I'd go with genuine replacement parts.

So this was a new steering rack, high-pressure pipe assy, low-pressure pipe assy, low-pressure PAS cooler.
Plus LDS ( lots as the system was nearly empty in the 1 mile trip to the garage) , laser tracking and of course labour.

Total cost was £2422, though £25 of this was for a new cabin pollen filter which was changed at the same time, while they were grovelling about in the footwell!
The rack is by far and away the most expensive item, coming in at £1370 including VAT.

Interestingly, the parts were virtually 'off the shelf' from Citroen which suggests that the steering rack issue is not uncommon.

[superloopy]

[emoji33][emoji33][emoji33]

Sent from my LG-D855 using Tapatalk

[Paul-R]

I said words which I couldn't possibly type out when I saw how much this had cost. I really, really hope this is a long term fix for you.

What year is the car and how many miles has it done? And, for interest, which engine and transmission?

[centurus2400]

I said similar words when I got the quote!

The car is a 2008 Exclusive Tourer. AL6 transmission. 65,000 miles.

I bought it second hand a couple of years ago so the corrosion on the rack may already have been quite advanced. The new on has been greased on the input shaft to prevent this happening again, but I'll also be keeping an eye on it.

[vborovic]

A friend replaced the X7's steering rack on his car a few months ago over here, labor included, the price was around 800 GBP ... the steering rack is a replacement part, not a genuine Citroen rack (which by the way costs over here 900 GBP) ... I never understood how the vehicle prices in Britain were small but the parts and service required to keep them running extremely high

[GiveMeABreak]

Total cost was £2422, though £25 of this was for a new cabin pollen filter which was changed at the same time, while they were grovelling about in the footwell!
The rack is by far and away the most expensive item, coming in at £1370 including VAT.

Interestingly, the parts were virtually 'off the shelf' from Citroen which suggests that the steering rack issue is not uncommon.

Mine was about this price - whole job done by Citroen at about 65k, but under warranty!
We'll have to have an X7 Steering Rack replacement 'Hall of Fame', with Genuine or after-market parts and mileage to keep track.

[Stickyfinger]

or issue a class action for a recall ?

they would in the USA

[GiveMeABreak]

or issue a class action for a recall ?

As it's been pointed out elsewhere - I've never heard of anyone having their steering rack replaced before the X7 - and that's just the ones we hear about - when mine was being done, there was a Tourer on the next hydraulic lift in pieces with the same problem - it was a leased car and was awaiting approval from the warranty company! They couldn't move it and it took up a bay for 2 weeks as the inspector couldn't get there for a while!

And talking of recalls - I've just had my regular notification from Citroen yesterday saying there "were no recalls for your vehicle"

[Stickyfinger]

And talking of recalls - I've just had my regular notification from Citroen yesterday saying there "were no recalls for your vehicle"

why would they admit it ? used car owners in the UK never "get together" like they do in the USA.

[KP]

I think if i ever get an X7 i'll be getting a warranty out on the bugger!

[white exec]

I will not be rushing to buy an X7. If this Forum has taught me nothing else, it is that is most certainly a car to avoid. Oh yes.
Discuss.

[Stickyfinger]

Certainly not.....but inspection of "certain parts" is always required, but that is true with EVERY car...

ask VW owners about engines with sumps full of fuel

[GiveMeABreak]

The engines are fine - it's just the steering racks, window regulators, DMFs, TPMS, Windscreen motors, BHI motors, Air Con, Head Units.. have I missed anything?... but, a devil for punishment, I still love it!

Apart from the Navidrive RT3 Head Unit on my Mk II, never had any other of these issues on previous C5s - or any other Citroen I've owned - seems to be an X7 thing.

[Stickyfinger]

What would you expect to see on a support forum about a 11year old design. ?

You will find exactly the same for most cars these days and remember a good amount of the questions asked are due to poor servicing it the cars earlier life.

I can tell you that with added protective attention my rack is quite well protected now at its weak point.

[GiveMeABreak]

What would you expect to see on a support forum about a 11year old design.?

But still don't see the same sort of issues cropping up on the earlier models - that was the point really - certainly not to the degree these racks are failing - a bad design or faulty components.

You will find exactly the same for most cars these days and remember a good amount of the questions asked are due to poor servicing it the cars earlier life.
I can tell you that with added protective attention my rack is quite well protected now at its weak point.

If that's your original rack, then at least all these X7 rack issues may have given you pause to undertake the extra greasing - but in many cases it's not the sort of thing owners would expect to go with these sorts of mileages. I will be checking mine regularly and piling loads of grease around the pinion each year as won't be paying for it the next time it goes that's for sure.