2001 C5 front suspension leak

[bighairybloke]

My faithful 92,000m car has failed on leaking front suspension unit. All others are noted as also moist.
I looked online and can’t find any being sold, not even on GSF. I had a look myself and the one he failed it on looks a little wet, but there is no obvious stream of fluid, not drips on the floor etc. Should it really fail on this?
Also, he failed it on poor service brake, but I only changed all front disks and pads last year, and was easily able to lock up the front breaks enough for the abs to kick in. I can detect no issues.

Any advice? I was thinking about taking it back and asking for the inspector to reconsider he is decision...

Cheers
Steve

[xantia_v6]

Which model of C5 do you have?

You may need to wash/wipe off the oil and see where it reappears.

[bighairybloke]

I believe it’s a lx base model, saloon.

[xantia_v6]

Mk 1, mk2 or x7?

[Hell Razor5543]

Mk1, as it is a 2001 model.

[xantia_v6]

Mk1, as it is a 2001 model.

In which case, check carefully the rubber return hose from the strut, above the hub.

[bighairybloke]

It’s definitely not that, it’s dry. That’s what I originally thought.

[GiveMeABreak]

I would double check the return pipes again. The MKI and II generally all ‘mist’ a little on the struts, and this was never a cause for a failure. I see on your profile you are in France -is that where you have had it tested? If in the U.K. for an MOT, the stricter rules have kicked in from May 2018, and any leaks may be considered a fail, but if you are certain, clean up the strut areas and challenge it. The handbrake has to be within a certain tolerance, so they should provide evidence of this via a readout and the acceptable range.

Is this a new place you have taken it? Maybe they don’t have any experiences with a C5?

[bighairybloke]

I’m in the Uk at the mo, it’s my Uk car for when I’m back in Blighty. I have an identical but lhd car in France with 3 times the mileage and no hint on the French mot of an issue with that car’s suspension struts.
I will have a look tomorrow and take a pic of the area.
Steve

[GiveMeABreak]

That will help for sure.

[lexi]

Moist suspension may mean little. I would dry it off and check before retest. Check that your handbrake cables are not stiff, stretched or seized. Check that they are pulling the handbrake mech on the caliper, and when pulled, you cannot turn the wheel by hand. Take up any slack in cables. That is only a rough guide that the mech is not seized. If all that above checks out ok, ask what the braking figures were on handbrake and mention that you may have to get VOSA involved. If he has been harsh, that will soon wake him up!

[bighairybloke]

‘Failed’ suspension strut...

[GiveMeABreak]

That’s not a fail in my book! He’s got that wrong if there are no drips leaks or puddles of accumulated fluid. Misreading the guide!

[wurlycorner]

That looks fine to me...

[bighairybloke]

I am taking it for a retest and will ask the tester for a second look/assessment, if I don’t receive a convincing reply as to why it should be replaced, i will go the appeal route.
If that doesn’t go the right way, where can I buy a new strut from that won’t cost an arm and a leg?
Steve