C5 X7 Steering Rack - Again!

[Hell Razor5543]

The shame is that the C5 X7 looks like it is a useful car, but let down by some components being built to a price. Because of the steering rack issues I will not willingly get an X7, and I doubt other Forum members will either, unless they can get a solid refurbished rack that has been built to last (if such a thing exists).

[bobins]

Mentioned that lip seal is commonly available - can anyone confirm the details (and / or double lip version) ?

I may get a seal ordered for when mine joins the club...

Bear with me whilst I delve into the dim and distant past. I posted about the double lip seal years ago on one of the steering rack threads on FCF.
Talk quietly amongst yourselves whilst I find the post This may take some time

[aerodynamica]

I loved my X7, spared no expense, but not long after the third rack was fitted with the mod, I reluctantly made the decision to move her on as I knew critical parts were also starting to become unavailable. The first 2 racks were genuine Citroen ones, the second one perishing a few years after the original, however when I sold her the refurbished rack was still looking good.

Actually didn't realise you sold yours Marc.

[bobins]

Found the oil seal references - do I win a prize ?

viewtopic.php?p=678803#p678803
viewtopic.php?p=578735#p578735
viewtopic.php?p=578681#p578681

[MattBLancs]

Mentioned that lip seal is commonly available - can anyone confirm the details (and / or double lip version) ?

I may get a seal ordered for when mine joins the club...

Bear with me whilst I delve into the dim and distant past. I posted about the double lip seal years ago on one of the steering rack threads on FCF.
Talk quietly amongst yourselves whilst I find the post This may take some time

No rush, at least I hope not for me at least!

[MattBLancs]

Found the oil seal references - do I win a prize ?

viewtopic.php?p=678803#p678803
viewtopic.php?p=578735#p578735
viewtopic.php?p=578681#p578681

Definitely! Swift and efficient

Much appreciated

[MattBLancs]

The shame is that the C5 X7 looks like it is a useful car, but let down by some components being built to a price. Because of the steering rack issues I will not willingly get an X7, and I doubt other Forum members will either, unless they can get a solid refurbished rack that has been built to last (if such a thing exists).

Strangely I think the X7 despite being nearly a decade younger, is in a very similar boat to my 406 Coupe - not worth enough to lavish huge sums on reverse engineering no longer available parts, not common enough to have those on the road sustained by a near endless supply of crashed, broken ones generating spares cheaply and readily (or the classic Ford approach - survivors now worth a fortune, but actual survival rate close to zero!)

I've been pleased to read of folks trying to overcome these design / manufacturing quality / material choice common failure modes - and given the dismal support from Citroen themselves, this will be what makes or breaks X7 viability, certainly as an everyday car.

Hmmm. I nearly bought a second hand rack a bit ago. Might have another search.

[Ceenine]

You are all obviously driving in the wrong part of the world: no steering rack problems down under.

[MattBLancs]

20x30x5mm Nitrile Rubber Rotary Shaft Oil Seal with Garter Spring R23 / TC
https://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/Seals ... tml?page=1
£2.51 from Simply Bearings

Similar price on eBay too.

Think will get some ordered

[MattBLancs]

Just looking at speedi sleeves, based on a 20mm shaft, this would seem a contender:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/143251082534

£27.12 including postage, not sure the going rate for these, bit more expensive than I would have guessed. Will keep digging.

Couple of R23 lip seals in my eBay shopping basket at present

[MattBLancs]

Searching on that part number

https://www.thebearingcompany.co.uk/pro ... CAQAvD_BwE

£10.53 + Vat, + £3.75+vat P&P costs.

[MattBLancs]

Timken redi-sleeves

https://cad.timken.com/viewitems/seals/redi-sleeves

From here suggests 99078

Max shaft diameter 20.041mm
Min 19.939mm

Eventually the penny dropped!

SKF number: CR99078
Timken number: 99078

[MattConn]

Does anyone have any ideas where I could track down a set of power steering pipes for my X7.

I fitted a recon rack about 30k miles ago and a coating of high vac grease has kept the pinion shaft in good shape. I now seem to have the LP pipe corrosion issue but can only find LHD pipes online.

Cheers

[Lenny]

It might be worth a call to Steering Specialists in Wakefield.
If your pipe is corroded where it goes into the rack the I know they've got a fix for this.

[aerodynamica]

It might be worth a call to Steering Specialists in Wakefield.
If your pipe is corroded where it goes into the rack the I know they've got a fix for this.

I'll second that. I have just had them recon my rack and replace the low pressure pipe end.