Suspension Probs - diagnosis/advice please

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » Wed May 02, 2007 9:11 pm

The strut pipes are merely a push fit. they may have come off if the rubber material has perished and they no longer fit tightly - in which case a replacement is available from Citroen which is the assembly from the strut to the connection on the bodywork. The problem is that the proper clip is virtually impossible to fit but a large jubilee clip will do the job but doesn't look as nice.

I think the fitting on the strut has 2 plastic stub pipes to which the tubes seem to be glued and with care it may be possible to replace them with fuel tubing.

Alternatively you may be able to secure the pipes to the metal stubs by putting cable ties round them and pulling tight. The pipes can be joined using old steel brake pipe of the correct diameter.

A word of caution - if they have come off because the flow is excessive (which has happened to me) its a waste of time and money to replace with new as the new ones will still leak - as the strut is knackered and will have to be overhauled or replaced.

The strut ubder the gaiter is not a very interesting thing. There is no point in dropping the gaiter - the thing simply dissappears into the mount at the top - where it is sealed with 2 'O' rings in the sphere mount. Greasing the strut itself won't help much either as the grease will be wiped off by the seal as soon as the suspension moves. Oil is more likely to penetrate and keep it free.

The struts are not particularly durable and some say that 60,000 miles is about their limit at their best. The Xantias use one rather more like a conventional shock absorber which is not repairable but rather stronger.

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » Wed May 02, 2007 9:11 pm

The strut pipes are merely a push fit. they may have come off if the rubber material has perished and they no longer fit tightly - in which case a replacement is available from Citroen which is the assembly from the strut to the connection on the bodywork. The problem is that the proper clip is virtually impossible to fit but a large jubilee clip will do the job but doesn't look as nice.

I think the fitting on the strut has 2 plastic stub pipes to which the tubes seem to be glued and with care it may be possible to replace them with fuel tubing.

Alternatively you may be able to secure the pipes to the metal stubs by putting cable ties round them and pulling tight. The pipes can be joined using old steel brake pipe of the correct diameter.

A word of caution - if they have come off because the flow is excessive (which has happened to me) its a waste of time and money to replace with new as the new ones will still leak - as the strut is knackered and will have to be overhauled or replaced.

The strut ubder the gaiter is not a very interesting thing. There is no point in dropping the gaiter - the thing simply dissappears into the mount at the top - where it is sealed with 2 'O' rings in the sphere mount. Greasing the strut itself won't help much either as the grease will be wiped off by the seal as soon as the suspension moves. Oil is more likely to penetrate and keep it free.

The struts are not particularly durable and some say that 60,000 miles is about their limit at their best. The Xantias use one rather more like a conventional shock absorber which is not repairable but rather stronger.

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Wed May 02, 2007 9:48 pm

An echo

, thanks for the info Jeremy, i will see if they stay on tomorrow, if not i will try securing them with zip ties to see if that works. The did appear to be snug fit, & when i tried taking them off the 1st time i really had to pull quite hard before they would release themselves.

If i do need the strut overhauling, is there anyone out there that could help me do it please as i dont have the foggiest & wouldnt dare risk doing it by myself? what parts would i need to get hold of as well?

Cheers

Post by **docchevron** » Thu May 03, 2007 3:15 am

jeremy wrote: The problem is that the proper clip is virtually impossible to fit but a large jubilee clip will do the job but doesn't look as nice.

The clips are a piece of pi$$ to fit if you've got side cutters. Jubilee clips crush the rubber block..

Mulley, was there alot of LHM around the area when the pipes came off??

If so, your strut is knackered. Rebuild or throe it in the bin and get a new one.

If not, they probably just fell off, rubber hardens with age, and if the suspension aint been "up" for a while then it's possible they just came off.

Rebuilding struts is fairly staright forward and you can buy a kit with everything you need from Citroën. However, like I said earlier, if the piston is in anyway scored (they usually develope a ridge where the plastic seal sits) then you're wasting your money trying to rebuild it.

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Fri May 04, 2007 12:31 am

The lhm has gotten onto the inside of the tyre & has left lhm all inside the wheel arch, i wouldnt say its dripping off, but you can tell there is a fair bit of lhm leaking over time. Not enough to actually need topping up the green lhm tank.

I checked the pipes today & they were still attached, so not quite sure why they blew off in the 1st place, perhaps topping the strut up caused it to blow.

I might, if i have time, re-do the lhm strut technique tomorrow to see if that helps & to check how much gunk comes out of them, see if there is less than last time..

I take it that i can only see the piston if i actually remove the strut?

Does anyone know who does the cheapest priced struts?

Cheers for the mo.

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Fri May 04, 2007 6:07 pm

I do

One here if you want it, don't know how good it is though or even what it came of.

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Fri May 04, 2007 9:31 pm

Hi Ken, do i risk fitting an unknown one? or if its dismantled can you tell if its knackered or not? I presume that all struts are the same regardless of model?

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Fri May 04, 2007 9:34 pm

As it only takes about 15/20 minutes to change one, I'd take a chance.

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Fri May 04, 2007 9:44 pm

Er, is that an offer from your goodself??? Beer tokens will be readily available

Stewart (oily!) · Post by **Stewart (oily!)** » Fri May 04, 2007 9:45 pm

Mulley, they are an absoute piece of piss to change, its well worth swapping it if your existing one blows the return pipe off again.
Stewart

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Fri May 04, 2007 9:47 pm

I asked the garage today how much they would charge to change one, they quoted me £35 plus Vat....hmmm, nice profit or what???

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Fri May 04, 2007 9:51 pm

MULLEY wrote:Er, is that an offer from your goodself??? Beer tokens will be readily available

erm No, but I'll show you how it's done. My back won't stand much messing about with BX's just now. Let alone bleedin Xantia's and their ABS faults, but that's one I have promised to sort.

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Fri May 04, 2007 9:59 pm

No worries Ken, if i popped up could i change the strut under your guidance, whilst up at yours? I would feel more confident if u were about, rather than you telling me what to do & me then getting home trying to do it by myself.

Sorry if i sound soft, but cars still frighten me, i always worry if i undo bolts & nuts etc... can i get them back on again....

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Fri May 04, 2007 10:04 pm

No problem

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Fri May 04, 2007 10:10 pm

Marvellous, youre a gent Ken, when would be a suitable time/day to come up? You've moved havent u? pm me your new address so that i can bung it into the satnav so i dont get lost please.

What tools should i bring up? i have now got some, cant wait to get them used.