2002 C5 suspension leak!

[Citroenmad]

Thought id just ask on here if anyone has had this before, as im not sure where its coming from.

The past few nights my C5 hatch has left a small pool of its supension fluid on the garage floor. So ive had it on the ramps to see if i can figure out whats leaking.

It looks quite wet under the rear of the car, but i cant pinpoint where its leaking from. Its actually dripping off the height corrector, but as there are no pipes go to that its obviously not that which is leaking.

I took out 3 bolts which holds the height corrector to the axel and the bolts are very went, it seems its full of fluid! Its also damp at each end of the axel, so it would seem LDS is getting into there and seeping out

Ive no idea how that can happen, and it only seems a slow leak, rather than high pressure, anyone any ideas?

Its booked in for its mot this week so it needs to be sorted pretty quickly, i just hope its nothing major!

Chris.

[citroenxm]

Could a BREATHER pipe on a rear strut be pushed into a Fluid return outlet on a rear strut boot?????

I think black are breather and the white/clear plastic ones are return... The outlet nearest a sphere is return, the other is breather...

Possibly just comming to light now as the car is gettin on a bit????

Paul

[mooseshaver]

My 02 C5 leaked fromt he suspension cylinders. A dealer replaced them, so I can't tell you what to look for, but I believe the seals can be replaced as well.
I did not notice it leaking, it was on an MOT they failed it.

[Citroenmad]

Thanks for your help Paul, mooseshaver and Ben_Cowell

I had a better look at it last night, i removed the rear wheels and took out the bungs which go into the end of the rear subframe/axel, which has a puddle of LDS in the bottom. So that is then leaking out through the bolts which hold the hight corrector on and is dripping off the height corrector.

The only way fluid can get in there is through the breather pipes, so i pulled them both out and left them both hanging out under the car while i was out in it. When i got home i checked the breather pipes, the passenger side was dripping fluid, only slightly.

Squeezing the rubber boot on the N/S suspension cylinder makes fluid pulse out of the breather pipe, it shouldnt do that! The other side is totally dry.

So it needs a new suspenion cylinder, i have asked around this morning for a seal fixing kit but thats not available from any of the Citroen sources - Pleiades etc. They did say this is what can happen if a seal goes, so i think im on the right track.

Just ordered a new suspension cylinder from Citroen for £90 including VAT. So hopefully that will be here in a few days.

Chris.

[citronut]

i have just this min looked it up on service citroen,

new suspension cylinder 5272.60 is trade inc VAT 79.01

susp cyl O ring 5272.18 1.02 trade inc VAT

sliding seal 5272.29 2.32 trade inc VAT

WEATHER SEAL 5272.31 0.84 TRADE INC vat

total of 4.18 squid

very easy to fit with susp unit off the car

here is the link
http://service.citroen.com/docpr/affich ... 3%20434701

this might not be your exact model but it is a MK1 hatch/saloon

regards malcolm


ps i noticed the only diferance is seal diamiter

>rp 09822 is 37mm then from rp 09823> seal diamiter is 40mm,

seems like through the range

[Citroenmad]

Thanks for that

It seems Citroen do indeed supply just the seal kit, which is around £5 for the few seals needed. So ive ordered that, along with a new boot for the cylinder (about £2). Should be here Thursday all being well.

Pretty pleased about that, saved me over £80!

[citronut]

never belive the parts person especialy at your main dealers,

which size sealas suite your car

i like it when a plan comes together TEA HE

regards malcolm

[Citroenmad]

Well the new seals are fitted, it seems to have stopped the leak

Hopefully it will fly through its MOT later this week.