2009 X7 exclusive - suspension?

[EDC5]

I remember reading in the X7 brochure the sentence "Hydractive 3+ suspension is maintenance free for 5 years or 50000 miles"

Considering mine is now 10 years old and has done 71000 miles I suppose it is due for some 'maintenance' whatever that may entail. Do they mean the replacement of all spheres?

I'd be willing to change the front two as an experiment (if I can get hold of the parts).

[white exec]

I have seen no reports of late-type saucer spheres being regassed. Pressure checked, yes. Exchangeable, certainly.
The forces being exerted on the diaphragm are massive, and it only survives because the fluid pressure and gas pressure are balancing each other, when the car is not in motion. The rigidity of the polymers used is neither here nor there. You'll need to open a couple up to compare.

[Simple76]

Have seen spheres cut open c5 type and older Xantia Bx type . Older type very springy diaphragm and also hold more volume of gas. I send mine to pleiades they seem to be able to recharge them certainly makes a difference after they have been done.

[white exec]

Some detail here:
viewtopic.php?t=55077#p488816

[GiveMeABreak]

Because the newer sphere membranes are more rigid - they fixed the nitrogen leaking issue, but when the actual membrane fails through a split , crack or crease for example, re-gassing won't make any difference for any length of time to be honest as it will still leak out. That's the reason why regassing these isn't practical.

[white exec]

Sorry to be a pain over this, but how are the saucer spheres "recharged" ?

[Simple76]

Hi i don’t know how they recharge them I just send them for testing and recharging if necessary. They seem to recharge them ok had a few done and transforms the vehicles ride even though they don’t need much more gas added. Aparantly thry only need to loose a few bar to make a difference.

[white exec]

If they're for the BX, it won't be running saucer spheres, but traditional spherical ones. The latter are rechargeable (gas replenished/replaced) if they are fitted with a Valprex-type valve. The newer saucer spheres don't have the screw-in factory-fill plug (which can be replaced with a re-gassing valve), but a welded in spigot instead.

Classic round sphere, fitted with Valprex valve

New-type 'saucer' sphere, with welded spigot

[Simple76]

The traditional spherical sphere have had them recharged using original cap. Have seen them with the valve on top and they can be recharged on vehicle. The problem this posses is the sphere doesn’t get checked internally or the damper doesn’t get inspected for damage etc. The c5/c6 flying saucer type also come back looking original but can see there has been something done to the welded spigot on the top not sure how but they do something.

[EDC5]

Where can you get your spheres checked these days? Is there a place in the UK that can do it?

I'm pretty tempted to try something, be that replace the spheres or at least have them checked.

[Simple76]

I send mine to Pleiades uk

[kegserv]

Front to Rear pipe on C5 X7 2008/9 onwards. Mine failed MOT on rotten pipe just above the fuel tank. Garage thought it was a brake pipe & broke it before realsiing it was the front to rear suspension pipe. Major problem, because they also broke the special end union into the centre rear connector, so a repair wasn't even possible. Several tries to get new OEM part from Citroen failed. Car off road 6 weeks waiting. The original pipe is 3/16 OD (4.75mm) and is made of steel with special union on each end with LDS seals. It runs from the suspension pump in the engine bay to the centre rear connection. Even if it was obtainable it would be impossible to fits as being steel there is no possibility to bend it to get it routed. Nearly had to scrap the car (2009 3.0HDI 240 exclusive), which is otherwise perfect. Nothing on any forum, but eventually located a kit sold on ebay (from Russia!) which is a pair of threaded adaptors - same male thread as the LDS unions (M10 x 1.5mm pitch) to femal brake union profile to accept standard M10 x 1.0mm pitch brake connection. Because the LDS seals areen't avaialble, the kit relies on cleaning out/ degreasing the holes then applying special sealant to the adaptors. There is 5m of heavy duty copper pipe included, which can be routed down under the car, over the tank & into the centre rear. Garage still had to drop fuel tank / remove front bumper & move anti-rol bar aside to get it through. Worked fine though & cost about £60 for the kit (plus £700 to fit !). Massive job. If you don't want to use the copper, you could just throw it away, keeping the adaptors, then buy a 5m long stainless braided flexible pipe online with male M10 x 1.0mm unions on each end.
Search EBay for Citroen C5 X7 - 9807562080 or 9807562180 which is the latest part number for the OEM Citroen steel pipe. you shoud find it then.
The title of teh ebay listing is :-

Repair-kit-9807562180-9800142780-5270vw-for-citroen-C5X7

Hope this helps someone else to find the answer quicker.

[GiveMeABreak]

Item (1) is the pipe in question and part 9807562080 is for DT20C and DW12C vehicles only.

The 9807562180 pipe is for other models.

The part is showing as available from Citroen - any reason as to why they said it could not be obtained? The current price for the complete pipe is £240.55

[Xsaradope]

I've seen lots of articles about how the LDS tank on a 2008 onwards C5 can be damaged by incorrect lifting of the car, and I am convinced that my car has suffered this problem. Can anyone tell me in some detail how to remove it ( the tank ) and how it is connected to the pump, Everywhere under the tank is soaked in LDS
and it has got worse recently. The pump is free to move on it's flexible mountings but the tank is bolted to the frame rigidly.
And any idea of the cost of a new tank.

Thanks in advance. Xsaradope

[Stickyfinger]

Can you post you Vin number so the parts can be costed please.