Citroen c5 power steering fluid

[stagsmad]

Hi all
I’m new to the forum so go easy on me.
I drive a 2009 Citroen C5 2.0 Hdi.
I’ve recently developed a noise from my power steering when stationary or moving slowly so I checked the reservoir and it seems to be very low.
After searching for what seems like hours and phoning 3 motorfactors up I can’t seem to find what power steering fluid it needs for a top up.
Any help appreciated

Cheers

[GiveMeABreak]

Be very careful. There are 2 types of reservoir on these depending on whether you have Hydractive suspension or Steel springs.

If you have Hydractive suspension, the fluid MUST be checked on flat ground with the vehicle on the LOWEST suspension setting. Allow it to filly bottom out and then remove the LDS tank cap.

The fluid should only be filled between the 'A' & 'B' marks shown below:

The Fluid used must ONLY be Total LDS or Total Fluide DA.

If you do have Hydractive suspension, please read this post on dangers of tanks exploding when lifting the car up with the wheels hanging freely after returning ot to the ground:

viewtopic.php?t=62058

If you have steel sprung suspension, let me know

[stagsmad]

Cheers for the reply
It has steel springs on it

[GiveMeABreak]

Ok, so just make sure it is filled to the max marking on the reservoir. In order to bleed, follow this:

Start the engine.
Turn on the engine and let it idle for 2 to 3 minutes, without moving the steering wheel (Top up with LDS if necessary).
Move the steering slowly, from stop to stop, in both directions, 10 or so times, with the wheels on the ground.

Do not hold the steering on the stop in order to prevent the opening of the pressure limiter.

Markings should be where I have arrowed

[bobins]

If you're power steering fluid is significantly below the 'low' mark as per Marc's diagram above, then you need to investigate why. If it is, then sorry to say - your steering rack may be leaking. It's an incredibly common problem on these. Check for a small puddle of oil on the ground underneath the car once it's been parked up for 24ish hours. You need to check under the car roughly where the bottom of the steering column is. You can also check for an oil leak by shining a torch through the rear of the front right wheel - it'll be oily and wet about 12" inboard from the wheel.

[stagsmad]

Cheers for all the help as I said before very appreciated.

The power steering fluid in it is green and lds appears to be orange, am I ok using chf 11s
Thanks in advance

[GiveMeABreak]

No absolutely do not use CHF11S.

It looks like somebody has put in the wrong fluid in - especially if it is green. This can cause a breakdown of the system. I suggest you get it drained and replaced as soon as possible. LDS fluid is orange in colour and is specifically designed for the power steering systems on many PSA cars, and certainly the C5 X7.

[stagsmad]

Thankyou very much for all your help and advice Marc and bobins
I’ll get it sorted over the next week

[stagsmad]

Hi all,
I've finally got round to sorting my steering rack that is leaking from the pinion shaft.
I'm trying to find out if its possible to replace that seal, and maybe buy what i understand to be an added part (the green thingy) in the pic below
thanks in advance

[bobins]

I wouldn't bother with the green ring, it's somewhat pointless. The seals are easy to get, IIRC they're just standard 'O' ring seals, but replace them with twin lip seals if you can. I think I covered them and their measurements in one of my previous posts regarding the steering rack components. You'd have to get the pinion shaft spotless and smooth before wanting to put new seals in though, and that's the tricky bit as it'll probably be pitted now. The best protection would be to coat the exposed lower part of the shaft in Denso tape / epoxy coating / anything that'll slow down the rust as well as doing the protective boot mod.

[GiveMeABreak]

That may be insufficient if the rust on the pinion has penetrated further down the shaft, underneath causing the seal to deform. If rust has entered the internals, then a rebuild is likely to be needed. Citroen don't sell the seal or the green plastic ring - so you'll have to source the seals externally. A replacement rack that has been refurbished and treated is probably the best way to go.

[stagsmad]

thanks as always for the advice

[Hell Razor5543]

I cannot tell you WHO it was, but one forum member (possibly more) found a company that not only did refurbished steering racks, they also chrome plated the pinion to that it should not corrode again. I have also heard that members have dumped a load of waterproof grease onto the pinion and then protected it with a gaiter. I do NOT know what the procedure for doing this is.

[iprd1956]

Thank you

[stagsmad]

hi all steering rack as been removed and pinion shaft is a little rusty but no excessive rust around the seal.
ive been searching for a seal to replace the old one, but i have only found the pipe seals, that i have purchased as while they are off i may as well replace them.
Does any one know where i can get the pinion shaft seal from.
bobins all ready mentioned the twin lip ones but i cant find the post about sizes that he referred to or where to get them from.
cheers craig