Am I Mad... Looking To Buy C5 Exclusive

[Doo]

Hi chaps, I have fallen in love with the C5 estate (looks wise, but I have always loved an estate) and have been looking at hundreds of them

I really want an Exclusive 3.0hdi V6...

I'm hoping to get something around 2012 to 2015 ish.

What are the pro's & cons of this engine then?

Go

[Hell Razor5543]

The major con is the steering rack. Because of an inferior material being used these start to leak and need to be refurbished/replaced.

[Lenny]

I think your biggest problem will be finding a 3.0HDi estate.
They're a bit few and far between.
Lovely thing though.

[KennyW]

Have a look at the poll showing the problem parts.

As James has said the rack is the pain, on my third but otherwise lovely cars to drive on a long trip. I use mine to go to France. A 2000 mile round trip.

Kenny

[GiveMeABreak]

I put a Poll here on X7 issues, have a look:

viewtopic.php?t=59630

The 3.0 is a nice tried and trusted engine, but make sure you wallet is locked and loaded.

[Doo]

The major con is the steering rack. Because of an inferior material being used these start to leak and need to be refurbished/replaced.

Is there not an upgraded replacement by now? I take it the rack is an all new singing and puking (as opposed to dancing) rather than an old rack with some "adjustments" to the track rods or ends

So is the box fully automatic or is it the same as our C4 and an auto clutch set up

I have seen a couple of beautiful models priced around £11,000 and the company selling them appear to have 30yrs experience so proclaim to change the fluids and check this, that and the other...

I think it was the twin tail pipes and the dark paint/light interior that swung it for me (not to mention the shape of that estate bodywork

[GiveMeABreak]

No Semi-Auto on these (thankfully) - just the full 6 speed Aisin AM6 fully Auto box.

As for the racks - I'm on my third and that includes the 'updated' Citroen one done under warranty - which lasted all of 2 years or just under before needing replacing again. It is poor quality materials used by ZF who make these for the X7. Getting a fully reconditioned, treated and coated rack is the way to go, with a CV boot mod over the pinion to provide some water splash protection, which if allowed to settle in the well, is where the evil sprouts from.

[Hell Razor5543]

I have no personal experience of the X7, but I do try and read everything on the Forum, and seeing a lot of steering rack issues posted here (comparatively speaking) stuck in my memory.

[KennyW]

Have a look at this

viewtopic.php?t=65021

On page 5 there is a good explanation of the rack's problems.

There is some discussion about various ways to overcome the dreaded Curse.

Kenny

[Doo]

I've been following all the "steering" groups o'pinions' (see what I did there ) and am (w)racking my brain trying to think of a suitable outcome

Surely the rack is if not the same, then similar to other (perhaps older) models or maybe even something else (I'm guessing this rack has been used in Peugeot) on an entirely different marque, but with better success?!?!

Why hasn't someone found a rack with almost identical size, shape, fitting pints and modified it to fit, knowing the thing won't leak?

I mean, at the end of the day it has one job and that is to turn circular motion into sideways motion to produce....erm, circular motion

But seriously, is the rack sooooo futuristic that no one can figure out a replacement?

That would be my thoughts

I have read all the "Curse struck again" pages and a link to another steering issue and like the mods and thinking. But like I said, surely a slightly better "older" design could be modified?

Thoughts please...

[GiveMeABreak]

Not really, they are engineered for specific models, but the issue here seems to be the substandard materials used by ZF in construction for this particular rack.

For the X7, there are several racks depending on model and each have different steering angles.

It's why it is important to try and get a refurbished and coated / treated rack to help prevent the rust (that will almost certainly re-occur over time) along with the rubber boot mod to try and prevent water splash getting in and sitting in the pinion shaft well. As far as I can see on mine and as noted by others, the only 'modification' Citroen made on the replacement version was a poxy green plastic ring (something akin to coming off a Fairy Washing up Liquid Bottle) that sat in the pinion well.

The car is no longer in production, so I expect that there will only be exchange racks in circulation before too long.

[Hell Razor5543]

The main question (to my mind) is "Who was responsible for specifying the substandard materials? Citroen or ZF?". Either way it was a poor decision.

[lexi]

The main question (to my mind) is "Who was responsible for specifying the substandard materials? Citroen or ZF?". Either way it was a poor decision.

Most German companies cannot afford to have stuff made in Germany. Subbed out to Turkey Hungary etc etc. Build down to a price and eventually you will get a design lemon. Can't go near an X7. I gave up living with design failings when I gave up series Landrovers