LDS Fluid

[C5leakyboy67]

Hi Guys,
Iam a newbie to this forum , hav recently bought a 2008 c5 x7 2.0 hdi saloon , wth hydpne suspension , has leak to off side suspension area ( not sure exactly where its leaking from ) hoping to get this fixed soon but need to top up with LDS Fluid as seems low and wont rise to highest setting .
Wanted to ask if the Mannol LDS fluid is ok to use seems to be cheapest to buy on ebay , or should i stick total or granville oils ??
I would appreciate your recommendation.

Thanks Guys
Steve

[wurlycorner]

Haven't used Mannol LDS yet, but have switched to their oils for several of my cars and a big fan of them.
Seem to be great quality and significantly lower price.
As long as it meets the right spec, I'd have no problem using it.

I have used the Granville LDS before and found some settlement in the bottom of the (new/sealed) bottle, which was not impressive.

[Kees]

Do you know how to check the LDS level?
If you don't have a diagbox, put the car in the low position, then you should see the lds fluid just at the bottom if you look in the lds tank.

[PaulC5]

Check the lds tank for a leak, these can split if the car is jacked up and the wheels left hanging if before jacking the suspension is not raised to max first and the tank cap loosened until the car is back on the ground.

Some info here viewtopic.php?t=62058

[C5leakyboy67]

Hi
Thankyou for your feed back guys , i will giv the mannol a try 4 separate liters fr £33 on ebay. Which is a lot cheaper than £38 from euro carparts fr 1 litre or £18 + from GSF.fr 1 litre.
Just say this c5 drives amazing the ride the gearbox and the quietness !! Condition seems good fr 2008 an i think its worth sticking with an spending money on it, as i think new cars are de-evolving.
Thanks again
Steve

[PaulC5]

Also have a look at the steering rack since the seals in it are known to leak.

[Stickyfinger]

Also have a look at the steering rack since the seals in it are known to leak.

Just a note on this....it is the pinion valve shaft seal (where the steering wheel shaft enters from above) that is the main culprit ... it can be viewed with ease via a small plate in the drivers footwell.

If it is NOT leaking....NOW is the time to take action to protect it. If there was one thing I would describe as "urgent, in need of action" for any new owner of a C5X7 it would be to protect the pinion seal/shaft.

A few methods will be found in this forum....

[C5leakyboy67]

Hi , thanks for that Paulc5 an stickyfinger.
I did hav a quick look an its deff not the damper an seems to be leaking from nearer the centre but below the drivers footwell , so it could well be what you both suggested , the steering rack . Will have a go at removing the plate in drivers footwell an seeif anything is revealed.
Is it fixable , or will it have to be a new steering rack ?

Thanks fir the feedback ,really appreciate it.
Steve

[Stickyfinger]

The racks (pinion shaft) can be refurbished however the rack needs to be removed to do it....when I had it done they did it in one day whilst I waited.

I had it done (as maany have done) at SSL Autoparts, Units 2 & 3, 97 Bridge Rd, Horbury, Wakefield WF4 5NW

[C5leakyboy67]

Thanks for tht Alasdair . I will look into it and get back to confirm whts leaking , is there anything else around there tht could be leaking.
I can see there are pipes coming from the spheres on both sides tht go centrally around tht area maybe (i hope ) its one of these , as removing the s rack looks like a big job.
Thanks again
Steve.

[Stickyfinger]

Tank/pump etc ....but what you describe is common for a pinion valve leak...........a quick look via the footwell cover .....that will tell you if it is or not