Rear LDS leak c5 2006

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OlemTheGolem
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Rear LDS leak c5 2006

Post by OlemTheGolem »

Hello! Again I am back for you fine people's advice.
Yesterday i bought a 2006 c5 HDI for dirt cheap. Upon test driving it and inspecting it i could not see any leaks, just a couple of rusty brake lines.

Drove 500miles home across country and there was no issues except for mild occasional knock from the rear (probably bushings).

I went out today to get my summer tires as the car only came with winters on it. Came home and threw it in highest position for changing the wheels, and noticed light rain from the rear right. Seems to be coming from the topside join between the strut and accumulator. Quite a bit managed to escape before I had time to throw my jack under and lower the suspension to the lowest (i think about 2-300ml). there's no leak when it's in the lowest setting and it pulls the arm back up just fine.
Are the o-rings on the accumulator a common failure point on these? Or is it more likely the strut itself? Pictures and video below.
DSC_0311.JPG
OlemTheGolem
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Re: Rear LDS leak c5 2006

Post by OlemTheGolem »

Here's the video!
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Re: Rear LDS leak c5 2006

Post by MGmike »

It's probably the strut.
The seal sits inside a supporting ring in the end of the strut. This ring corrodes and with the extra pressure needed to lift the car it's probably pushed the seal out a little allowing the fluid to pass. I'm a little surprised it actually stops when lowered.
Struts come in different diameters depending of the type of car eg estate, H3+ etc. so take care to get the correct one.
OlemTheGolem
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Re: Rear LDS leak c5 2006

Post by OlemTheGolem »

Alright, thank you for the answer. Mines a regular H3 estate, would a strut for a older estate work as long as it's not H3+?
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Re: Rear LDS leak c5 2006

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Yes, the MK I and MK II Estate rear struts are the same as long as you use like for like - i.e. non H3+ to non H3+ and H3+ to H3+
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OlemTheGolem
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Re: Rear LDS leak c5 2006

Post by OlemTheGolem »

Great! Managed to get two second hand rear units for 50£ each, just waiting for the postal service now.
Are the sphere o-rings the same from the Xantia? i have a few of those around...
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Re: Rear LDS leak c5 2006

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

Very unlikely, as the Xantia uses LHM while the C5 uses LDS. I do know that you must not use the wrong fluid in your car (so LHM for a Xantia and LDS for the C5).
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Re: Rear LDS leak c5 2006

Post by GiveMeABreak »

OlemTheGolem wrote: 21 Jun 2021, 22:28 Great! Managed to get two second hand rear units for 50£ each, just waiting for the postal service now.
Are the sphere o-rings the same from the Xantia? i have a few of those around...
Yes, they are exactly the same on the MK II C5 as they are for a Xantia Series II. Identical sizes and part numbers.

@ Hell Razor5543: The fluid is different but these specific rear sphere seals and O rings are identical.
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Re: Rear LDS leak c5 2006

Post by MGmike »

don't know the Xantia but eurocarcare suggest they are. I would be putting a new set of seals in anyway. Go to eurocarcare.net and get a set of seals, bellows and pins (cos they won't come out in one piece!).
OlemTheGolem
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Re: Rear LDS leak c5 2006

Post by OlemTheGolem »

Just got my sphere off, is it supposed to sound like this?

I already have bellows and pins on order 😉
Last edited by myglaren on 22 Jun 2021, 19:50, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Video link
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