Xantia - Replacing strut tops and hydraulic pipes

[lancia58]

Hi

I am going to replace the strut tops. As my car's strut tops are NFP ( 5271F5, 5271F6 ) I have to change them to 5271E1 and 5271E4 and the hydraulic pipes becuase the screw-in unions of the original pipes do not fit the new strut tops. How many 3.5mm hydraulic pipe seals I have to prepare in advance (if any )? Any other advices, what is Citroen part number for the 3.5mm hydraulic pipe seals ? As long as I remember I think once I read in this forum that lock tight should be used for nut the plugged onto the strut shaft, is that correct ?

Thanks
Zohar

[white exec]

3.5mm pipe seals are 96085785 ('Hydraulic pipe lining' 3.5mm).

I am not sure about this - someone will check, I'm sure - but a move from ....F5 & F6 (both NFP) to the later ....E1 & E4 (the last two fitted from vehicles RP 8519 [6 March 2000] onwards) seems to involve a change of 3.5mm hydraulic pipework, according to Citroen parts diagrams.

These pipes are shown as part numbers 5270 96 and 5270 EC.
Not sure about why this is, especially as your car must be non-Hydractive, with 3.5mm pipework.

Good idea if you posted your RP number (or VIN number).

[lancia58]

Yes I have to change the pipes and I bought pipes 5270 96 and 5270 EC. I don't know if I have to change the 3.5mm pipe seals and how many. Beside this any good advice of the procedure is appreciated.

As the shock absorber bushes are worn I am going to replace them , referring to the following link which side of the bush is facing up ( towards the strut top ) the black or the pink ( for some reason photo backet does not allow to show a picture )

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-BIRTH-FR ... 2055136212

Thanks

[white exec]

I am guessing you'll just need four of the seals - one for each end of the two new pipes. Cheap enough: you may as well buy a few more, as they're used all over the car,

Intrigued about what is different about the new pipe ends - presumably at the strut top end. You'll have the chance to compare old with new, and maybe only change them over if needed.

Strut tops usually contain a couple of sealing O-rings in their top taper. May or not be included with the new strut tops. Replace the protective corrugated wheelarch gaiters while you're doing the job; again not expensive, but only replaceable when the strut is separated from its top. A generous coat of additional protective paint (stonechip variety) a good idea for the steel baseplates of the new tops, which are factory-protected by a thin rubbery coating on the Xantia, and which can split and allow water ingress. Loctite on the top nut no bad thing.

When separating strut from old strut top, allow the wheel hub to hang, and slacken the top nut to give about 1mm clearance, leaving the nut in place. Cushion with a piece of brass, copper or aluminium, and hut the nut downwards with a heavy lump hammer to part the taper.

Lubricate taper and O-rings with a smear of LHM before reassembling.

[lancia58]

Hi

As for the pipe ends the threading is different, the O-rings of the top taper are included. I have two new gaiters.

Referring to the following link which side of the bush is facing up ( towards the strut top ) the black or the pink side ?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-BIRTH-FR ... 2055136212

Zohar

[Hell Razor5543]

Do not dispose of the old strut tops. There is a Lithuanian company (Kingas) who refurbishes them. It might be worth send the strut tops to them so that, in future, you have a spare set. Kingas also fit an 'anti spear' device so that, should one of their strut tops fail, it will not cause major damage;

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=49089

[white exec]

Good few Xantia/XM owners have had tops refurbished with new polymer by Kingas (Elastomer), Lithuania. A good job carried out. Worth doing if the steel baseplate has not been weakened by rust. About €90 each, plus carriage.

[CitroJim]

Good few Xantia/XM owners have had tops refurbished with new polymer by Kingas (Elastomer), Lithuania. A good job carried out. Worth doing if the steel baseplate has not been weakened by rust. About €90 each, plus carriage.

I had a pair of XM ones done a few years back and I can agree, he does indeed do a good job...

[lancia58]

I am going to replace the strut shock absorber bushes , referring to the following image which side of the bush is facing up ( towards the strut top ) the one with the black cap or the the other one



It is part number #4 in the following image

[white exec]

Your photo just above doesn't look like the correct part - It's what various bump-stops normally look like.
If you have that part, is there a hole through it? Can't see in the photo.

This is what I'm finding on Cit Parts for your Xantia II 16v 135 non-Hydractive...

Put me right on this, if I'm mistaken.

[CitroJim]

The photo shows a rear one... Well spotted Chris!

[lancia58]

Hi

The front one is part number 503356 ( already bought them ) and it looks the same as in the photo and it has a hole through. So anyone knows which side of the bush is facing up ( towards the strut top ) the one with the black cap or the other one

Thanks
Zohar

[white exec]

Just googled that Citroen part number, and it's obviously been revised and redesigned over time.
My guess is that the black part goes downwards, and probably engages on the 'spacer' ring below.
Its function is to cushion/crush if extreme suspension compression occurs, and/or the gas-filled sphere is defective.

[lancia58]

Hi

Found the following images





So it looks like the black part goes upwards. I guess I can see the right direction when detaching the strut tops , but as my car is 18 years old I am afraid that the old rebound stops turned into powder over the years

Thanks
Zohar

[white exec]

That confirms it. Well done in finding those photos.
You are right: those polyurethane foam stops do turn to powder over the years.