Xantia Strut Top Adapter LHM Leak

[Rhothgar]

Hi all,

I think I am on my own here. Not many of you will have tried to use hydractive strut tops with a handmade adapter.

I have an issue with LHM now leaking past the larger diameter M16 threads on the S1 and I need to get the car MOT'd ASAP and out of my mate's compound. He's been more than patient.

I am waiting on Edhertz to measure up his adapters at some point probably the week after next but I need to get the car fixed temporarily in this case.

Another mate suggested using a Loctite thread sealer but had no idea what would be suitable.

I've taken a quick look at the Loctite site as I don't have any spare time really at the moment to go trawling through technical data sheets and none of them, that I have actually looked at, seem to state what working pressure they will go to.

So I've looked at Loctite 542 and 572.

I basically need something that has a low breakaway strength so that when I do finally get a working adapter made I can get it apart easily as the alloy adapter I currently am using, which was so kindly made by another forum member, is beginning to round off and it only has two flats and it's been removed and reinstalled several times to try and get it to seal. It was so DAMNED close to sealing when first tightened.

So any sealant needs to have a low breakaway strength, be compatible with mineral oil (which most seem to be) but more importantly capable of withstanding 1500 psi of pressure trying to seep up the threads and out!

I am hoping someone on the forum has an engineering product selection background and perhaps has good experience of hydraulic assemblies.

[furriegurrie]

I think I’d try teflon tape for a tempory solution. I don’t know the English name or brands. It’s normally used for sealing threads.

[Rp0thejester]

I would personally cut my losses and use chemical metal to seal the threads to get you out of trouble. Which would mean a replacement sphere and pipe at some point if the sphere or pipe fails. Apart from that I can't think of anything else that would hold that type of pressure. Unless you change the sphere and pipe connection to full on hydraulic couplings used in construction trades. Which in theory are alot better as they clip on and off easy.

[Rhothgar]

I think I’d try teflon tape for a tempory solution. I don’t know the English name or brands. It’s normally used for sealing threads.

I did wonder if this would work. It's called PTFE tape over here or amalgamation tape. Plumbers use it.

[Rhothgar]

I would personally cut my losses and use chemical metal to seal the threads to get you out of trouble. Which would mean a replacement sphere and pipe at some point if the sphere or pipe fails. Apart from that I can't think of anything else that would hold that type of pressure. Unless you change the sphere and pipe connection to full on hydraulic couplings used in construction trades. Which in theory are alot better as they clip on and off easy.

Again I did wonder whether to use such a product but cutting my losses would probably have involved biting the bullet and buying two replacement strut top mounts when they were still £256 a pair but I was too entrenched in paying a solicitor £35k to keep him in the manner to which he is accustomed. Half an hour's work for him!!!

So far, it's now cost me 5 litres of LHM as I didn't have any. An additional MOT of £40 when I get around to it. A complete flush of the system (so probably another 5 litres of LHM) as the LHM at my mate's garage was contaminated with water I suspect having been opened probably 15 years ago and account of him not seeing that many Citroens. £18 for seals I didn't need.

Plus I have a promise to keep to regas about 10 spheres for someone (which I need to get around to sooner rather than later as I've been too overwhelmed with other things) including about £50 in fuel and I'll have to get a new cylinder of nitrogen (but at least I'll have some spare for myself and others in future). Still it will be a nice couple of days away tinkering with Citroens. I could do with a bit of relaxation time like that and am really looking forward to it. Hopefully, get a bit of spannering done with Jim at the same time.

The Loctite 472 is between £22 and £30. I'll badger my local mate to make me the steel one. It'll just have to wait I guess at the risk of p*****g my garage mate off who is ever so good to me!

Oh and then I have to get the missus Smart gearbox looked at asap and sold once sorted all before the end of the month when the bloody silver Xantia needs its MOT!!!!

[Rp0thejester]

We use a bit of equipment at work called a 4inch burster. It is hydraulic obviously and can push up to 3000psi but I don't let it go over 2500psi. If it ain't cracking the concrete at that pressure then something is wrong. Next time I use it I will take photos of the connections, one end is screwed onto a pipe and then the other end is screwed onto that