Hydraulic fluid level

[Jetjockey]

Hello.

I’ve recently purchased a 2008 C5 exclusive tourer and would like to check the fluid level on the combined hydractive suspension and power steering.

I’m getting all sorts of conflicting and complicated instructions on how to do this. Last explanation I got was to simply lower the suspension to its lowest setting, wait 15 mins, remove the cap of the LDS reservoir and the fluid should be level with the bottom of the filler neck????

Is this correct? Should one also depressurise the system with diagnostic equipment?

Any help appreciated.

Many thanks.

[GiveMeABreak]

No you don’t need to depressurise to check the fluid.

See my post here and look at the diagram for the tank filler neck. It shows the levels it should be on the lowest suspension setting. Just allow enough time for the car to sink.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=62319&hilit=LDS+flu ... be#p605491

[Jetjockey]

Hello Marc.

Thank you kindly.

Hmmmm, that’s interesting, I tried this yesterday, suspension to lowest setting, waited, removed cap, no sign of fluid!! I added 1 Ltr of LDS fluid and still no sign of fluid in the bottom of the filler neck.

This is very disappointing as I have just returned from having the steering rack removed, refurbished, and refitted, at an emporium recommended on this site! They told me that the system had also been flushed, bled, and refilled.
I did complain the following day that the steering had gone from silky smooth to very heavy. The specialist blamed the new seals and bushes. The steering is now much lighter after adding the 1 Ltr of LDS. It obviously needs more.

Thanks.

[Stickyfinger]

Can you "flush" the LDS from the system ?

My rack felt quite heavy on the first drive after replacement.

[GiveMeABreak]

They should of topped up the fluid (never re-use old reclaimed LDS) and properly bled and refilled according to recommendations.

Get some more LDS and ensure the car is always checked on the lowest setting and then switch the engine off, then slowly add some fluid until it is in between the 'a' & 'b' marks below.

To bleed, ensure the system is on the lowest height setting, then with engine running, very slowly turn the steering wheel lock to lock 10 times. Slowly! Then centre it, stop the engine and top up the LDS if necessary to the marks.

[Jetjockey]

Cheers Mark, very helpfull.