Rear Suspension Cylinder

Ian_Fearn · Post by **Ian_Fearn** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 7:04 pm

It would appear that my rear suspension cylinder has sprung a rather major leak.

Theres one down the scrapper i'm going to get tommorrow. Anybody know the best way to get one off?

Stewart (oily!) · Post by **Stewart (oily!)** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 7:09 pm

Remove the sphere, remove the hydraulic line going in through the steelwork above it, make sure you completely remove the gland nut too at the front of the ram remove the steel clip and pull out the two plastic return pipes, removing the sphere will reveal a curly steel clip, remove this and tha ram should be yours!

Stewart

Vanny · Post by **Vanny** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 10:10 pm

take a fine punch with you so when that rclip snaps you can punch it through, they don't break unless you expect them not to!

DLM · Post by **DLM** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 8:02 pm

If the scrappy one's no good I have a couple of s/h ones for a hatchback. A very small amount of of white rust crumble on the exposed parts, and Just a little bit of wear at the sphere end of the inner cylinder piston. I may post some pics of these anyway as I'd like a second opinion on the wear, though it seems minimal.

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 9:25 pm

Cylinder/bore wear is about the least to think about Dave -
It's corrosion (i.e. NO such) that really matters

I use Xantia cylinders for repair as these are much cheaper.
They are 35mm bore like the the BX Hatch.
'96 on the Xantia Estate got 40mm bore cylinders (BX estate are 37mm bore).

BTW : any pinhole may be drilled out, tapped and blanked off with a small bolt using fluid sealant

- if suddenly realise you can not get that spare part now & here

Ian_Fearn · Post by **Ian_Fearn** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 6:51 pm

My mate is giving me some cylinders so i'll bung them on and see how i go.

I think whilst the car is up on ramps i'm going to completly repipe the back end and rust proof it all. I'm sure it'll need some welding in some places.

Ian_Fearn · Post by **Ian_Fearn** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 7:47 pm

I finally got round to getting a new suspension cylinder today. I plumped for a brand new one as i reckon my BX is worth it!

I couldnt believe my eyes when i saw what has happened to the old one.

Theres some corrosion and heavy pitting on the casting but it looks like a shotgun hole in the side of it!

Just a warning to everybody else out there!