C5 X7 Steering Rack Return Pipe Leak

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Stickyfinger
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Re: C5 X7 Steering Rack Return Pipe Leak

Unread post by Stickyfinger »

I would be so tempted to have a threaded spigot made for that, put a thread in the rack and use a high pressure hydraulic thread sealant.
Alasdair
Activa, the Moose Dodger
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DHallworth
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Re: C5 X7 Steering Rack Return Pipe Leak

Unread post by DHallworth »

I was but have decided against it.

This is a “safe” repair that doesn’t risk contaminating the PAS and hydraulic system with any aluminium swarf and doesn’t risk writing off the steering rack.

David.
'98 Xantia Activa V6 :-D
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'09 C5 2.7 HDi Exclusive
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Stickyfinger
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Re: C5 X7 Steering Rack Return Pipe Leak

Unread post by Stickyfinger »

True .
Alasdair
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DHallworth
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Re: C5 X7 Steering Rack Return Pipe Leak

Unread post by DHallworth »

That’s the C5 repaired and now LDS tight :)

The pipe from the 2.0 C4 donated its end and a length of rubber pipe. I cleaned the aluminium pipe up a bit and clamped the rubber to it using 2 jubilee clips.
188D1F77-C6C3-47CF-8CB2-94220AD193D4.jpeg
7BB41330-8698-4250-9139-BAF5F0CB1877.jpeg
You can see it’s not quite the same shape as the original one was but the rubber gives it the flex it needs and doesn’t kink when refitted so that’s good.

I replaced the o-ring on the end of the C4 pipe with a 9mm ID x 2mm section VITON o-ring whilst it was off the car too.

I then used a pipe cutter to cut the end of the pipe on the car. It was a tight fit but I just managed to get it in and turned which was handy as it saves leaving a rough edge on the pipe and doesn’t create any swarf when cutting.

I then went under the car and fitted the pipe. I put 2 jubilee clips loosely on the pipe and slid it over the cut end of the aluminium pipe that was on the car by reaching into the wheel arch with my right hand and guiding it onto the aluminium with my left hand. I went back into the wheel arch and lined the pipe end up with the pinion before fitting the bracket and a new bolt. Once that was done I went back under the car and tightened up both jubilee clips.

I then topped up the LDS and worked the steering from side to side and am happy to report that there are no leaks. I only had 2 litres of LDS to top it up with so it’s still short of fluid. I’ll try and get to AEP Direct tomorrow to collect some and I’ll depressurise the whole system and set the level properly.

It’s not my usual kind of fix, normally I’d replace the whole pipe and not add extra joins in that could potentially risk a leak but seeing as the pipe isn’t available, this was a nice straight forward, cost effective repair.

The some of the marks on the old pipe were caused by me removing the stud to get the bracket off. You can however see where the crack formed due to the pitting and corrosion caused from the steel bracket on the aluminium pipe.
74B3BF44-15B7-46C9-9962-0D42ED56F9F1.jpeg
David.
'98 Xantia Activa V6 :-D
'00 XM V6 Exclusive
'09 C5 2.7 HDi Exclusive
‘10 C5 3.0 HDi Exclusive
'12 C6 3.0 HDi Exclusive
'15 C4 BlueHDi Feel
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KennyW
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Re: C5 X7 Steering Rack Return Pipe Leak

Unread post by KennyW »

Well done David,

It would be interesting to find out how many other pipes fit the C5 x 7. Both HP and LP.

Kenny
C5 x7 2.0 HDi 160 hp Estate exclusive, moved on.
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DHallworth
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Re: C5 X7 Steering Rack Return Pipe Leak

Unread post by DHallworth »

I think the ends of a lot of them will be the same. Looking up 307, 407, C3, C4 etc. power steering pipes on eBay is probably the easiest way and looking at the pictures.
'98 Xantia Activa V6 :-D
'00 XM V6 Exclusive
'09 C5 2.7 HDi Exclusive
‘10 C5 3.0 HDi Exclusive
'12 C6 3.0 HDi Exclusive
'15 C4 BlueHDi Feel
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DHallworth
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Re: C5 X7 Steering Rack Return Pipe Leak

Unread post by DHallworth »

After a busy start to the week, I finally got an hour in the workshop tonight to finish the C5.

A big shout out to Westway Lubricants too. I ordered 5 litres of LDS on Monday afternoon at 2pm for £39.99 including delivery. It was delivered by DPD on Tuesday afternoon!

Anyway, I depressurised the hydraulic system and set the fluid level in the reservoir and then started the car. The suspension came up and the steering was cycled from side to side a few times. The steering is lovely and light and I’m pleased to say that the connection to the rack is bone dry and both ends of the rubber joining pipe are also bone dry.

Didn’t have time to get the car off the ramp and out of the workshop tonight as it meant moving another 3 cars first. However, I’ll hopefully get it outside tomorrow.

Then I can try and have a look at the 2.7 and see what that’s like underneath. It’s fate it teetering on the edge at the moment. It’ll either be fixed or stripped for parts to keep the 3.0 on the road.

David.
'98 Xantia Activa V6 :-D
'00 XM V6 Exclusive
'09 C5 2.7 HDi Exclusive
‘10 C5 3.0 HDi Exclusive
'12 C6 3.0 HDi Exclusive
'15 C4 BlueHDi Feel
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DHallworth
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Re: C5 X7 Steering Rack Return Pipe Leak

Unread post by DHallworth »

Just to update this…

I’m now 800 miles in with this C5 now and there are no leaks coming from the power steering repair. In fact, there’s no leaks from anything on it :D

David.
'98 Xantia Activa V6 :-D
'00 XM V6 Exclusive
'09 C5 2.7 HDi Exclusive
‘10 C5 3.0 HDi Exclusive
'12 C6 3.0 HDi Exclusive
'15 C4 BlueHDi Feel
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bobins
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Re: C5 X7 Steering Rack Return Pipe Leak

Unread post by bobins »

Has it run out of fluid then ? :wink: