bx suspension pipe

ted n terri · Post by **ted n terri** » Sun Jun 29, 2008 10:00 am

help save our bx.

our beloved bx sprang a suspension leak in a straight pipe just in front of the passenger rear door near the clips, 5 weeks ago, we've been to our usual citroen garage but he won't touch it as he sayes if he moves one pipe the rest might go and we should scrap it and he would very kindly dispose of it for us (nooo it sounds like a stitch up to me), although they look in very good condition and it went through mot in feb. we tried other garages local but they don't want to know even though they haven't seen it.would any one know of a local garage to us(long melford , suffolk)that would help and pick up as it is now no longer drivable, or is there any bx er that could show us how to fix it as this is a lifeline to us and the best car we have ever had

DavidRutherford · Post by **DavidRutherford** » Sun Jun 29, 2008 10:10 am

Would be interesting to know what age this car is.

Anyway. You've blown one of the front-to-rear metal pipes. There are four of them.

One of them is system pressure, and will pump all the LHM out of the system the moment you start the car. Another is suspension pressure, and will leak only if the rear of the car is up (IE it won't leak in low). The next is a brake pressure line, and will only leak when the car is up and the brakes are applied. The last is a low pressure return and in theory would only leak fluid that is returned from the height corrector. Unfortunately it is also interconnected to the PR return on the engine, so will leak (at low pressure) all the time the engine is running.

No matter which one is gone, there is indeed a good chance that they are all past their best. You can do one of three things. Either replace them with genuine pipes, bought from a Citroen dealer (they are between £10 and £15 each) Or change them for Cupro-nickel hand-made pipes. Finally, you could just repair the broken pipe by cutting the damaged (probably corroded) section out and putting joiners in. That would be a bit of a bodge though and would only be recommended if you don't plan on keeping the car much longer.

There are many arguments as to how easy or hard this job of re-piping is. The most difficult aspect of it is access. Some people will state that you must lower the rear subframe. I don't think that's essential, but I'm sure it probably would make the job easier. The essential thing though is to be able to get the car up high enough to be able to work on it easily.

I'm guessing that you don't usually do a lot of work on your own car, and are looking for someone to be able to do the work for you, or a garage recommendation? Certainly even if you do your own servicing, I wouldn't recommend you try re-piping a car as your first "big" job.

ted n terri · Post by **ted n terri** » Sun Jun 29, 2008 10:35 am

we normaly do minor repairs our self but this is out of our leauge without some guidence, we don't know where to source parts cheaply as were told only complete pipe available at £130.00 each,so our main problem is lack of knowledge and used to drive mini's till we were given this bx 2 years ago and would't want to go back. so if someone could show us this time we could do it our self in the future. it's a bx tzd turbo deisel on j plate 92

DavidRutherford · Post by **DavidRutherford** » Sun Jun 29, 2008 11:08 am

Changing these suspension pipes is no more difficult than changing brake pipes on a "conventional" car. In fact, it may be slightly easier as the end-fittings are rarely as siezed as on a conventional car's brakes.

It is just exceptionally fiddly.

The price of £130 for the pipe is utter codswallop. Try calling a couple of dealers until you get someone who actually knows what they are talking about, rather than some spotty little oik who doesn't understand anthing that doesn't have a playstation controller attached to it.

ted n terri · Post by **ted n terri** » Sun Jun 29, 2008 11:53 am

ok thanks but would anybody know of a good supplier that wouldn't sell you the most expensive item. and we don't know exactly what parts we would need if someone could give us a complete list we would be most grateful.

mountainmanUK · Post by **mountainmanUK** » Sun Jun 29, 2008 12:38 pm

Try phoning a couple of Citroen Main Stealers around your area. Ask to be put through to the Parts Department, then inquire about prices, availability, etc. of the 4 FRONT TO REAR SUSPENSION PIPES for your '92 TZD. (Sorry I can't give you the exact Part Numbers, as I can't find my receipt!)
As David posted earlier....they are definitely still available from Citroen dealers, each priced at between £10-15. All four for less than £50, and a couple of hours to fit!

Vanny · Post by **Vanny** » Sun Jun 29, 2008 1:28 pm

alternatively Bonapart 2CV can make the pipes up in kunifer to length and ship them out, kunifer is very flexible, longer lasting, take higher pressure and would work out about £10-£15 a pipe. Bonapart are online and have anonline shop, its where i'm now getting all my stuff from.

mountainmanUK · Post by **mountainmanUK** » Sun Jun 29, 2008 2:21 pm

Very handy to know that, Vanny!

Don't suppose you have one of them there webby URLs for 'em, have ya?

demag · Post by **demag** » Sun Jun 29, 2008 7:45 pm

Also don't forget Pleiades. He's not too far from you (relatively speaking) Sawtry in Cambridgeshire. http://www.citroen-hydraulics.com/ He supplies pipe and is a very helpful man. A phone call might not go amiss and he may know someone who could do the job for you.

I should definitely say bye bye to the (not so) friendly Citroen garage thats been doing your work for you. If you look on the home page for this BX Club on the left of the page is a heading "BX Specialists" I see there is one in Norfolk, don't know how far they are from you. Might be worth a phone call though they will probably be sympathetic and may be able to offer help/advise.

Good Luck.

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » Sun Jun 29, 2008 10:13 pm

Hi tnt -

You will most likely do away with the 4 long run pipes under the LHS of the car. They are commonly the first pipes to go.
These pipes are available complete pre-bend to shape with unions, protector caps (for fitting) and new seals at your Citroen dealer at approx £20-25 each (ex vat)
The genuine part numbers are :

95.595.683 HYDRAULIC TUBE (safety valve pressure feed to rr HC)
(no info on the length, but it is approx 500mm shorter than 96.119.933)
96.119.933 HYDRAULIC TUBE DIAM 3,5-3729 (rr HC working return to rubber hose on front subframe)
96.117.584 HYDRAULIC TUBE DIAM 3,5-3375 (rr K-joiner brake feed to brake doseur valve)
96.117.585 HYDRAULIC TUBE DIAM 3,5-3100 (brake doseur valve brake pressure to rr brakes Y-joiner)
- SINCE RPO No. 04347

You may certainly try GSF with these part numbers, as chances are they can still get them for you at a discount price.
I dont think Pleiades can possibly do them cheaper for you, as they will have to make them up on each order - which is not exactly cheap in labour.

Oooppssss -
I forgot : your tizzidee has no ABS brakes I hope ?

Post by **docchevron** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 1:15 am

Erm , hhmm.

I still dont understand why anyone would bother fitting genuine pipes...

Plaiedes seem to have no stock of anything right now but GSF did sell kunifer pipe, even if they dont do it anymore there's plenty of people that do.
My local indy Cit specialist charged about £200 to do all four pipes in kunifer with stainless unions, although they aint done a BX for quite a while, no-one bothers anymore..

You'd struggle to fit pre-fprmed cit pipes without dropping the subframe, but kunifer is alot more forgiving and pliable, making fitment without dropping the subframe easier.

Even if it has got ABS it only means you'll need the brake pipe in 4.5mm, the other three are the same.

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 8:28 am

I would have thought any decent indi Cit garage would be able to fit a joint and replace the pipe thats leaking.

Your garage has a point, that you run the risk of damaging the other pipes if they are that bad. But in view of the long MOT sometimes it's worth the risk, especially as you are paying them.

kermit the frog · Post by **kermit the frog** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 4:38 pm

Hi Ted n Terri
I appear to have the same problem as you fortunately my car is of the road at present having a complete check and overhaul.
I have however been to my local Citroen dealer this morning and obtained an up to date list of part numbers and current price and availability.
Part numbers are pretty much the same as those supplied by Anders.
they are all available.
list as follows.
C96119932 £19.44 +vat
C96119933 £20.51 +vat
C96093534 £16.74 +vat
C95595683 £17.06 +vat
On top of these you will require the rubber seals these are around the £0.92p+vat each mark and you will need 8.
Good luck in your repair hope this is of some help.
now ive got to do these myself.
still the drive afterwards will be worth it.

Regards Kermit

Post by **Tim Leech** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:33 pm

Is repiping something that a simpleton (like me) could do, I have lately become more adventurous but it still puts the fear of god into me. I do have a nice big space to do it in and the access to a hydraulic lift and tools (albeit only on a sunday). Whats the timescale to do them in? imlimited to a 6 hour stint.

I do have the pipes which are pre"bent" genuine ones from citroen.

Thanks.

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 6:24 pm

kermit the frog wrote: Part numbers are pretty much the same as those supplied by Anders.
they are all available.
list as follows.
C96119932 £19.44 +vat
C96119933 £20.51 +vat
C96093534 £16.74 +vat
C95595683 £17.06 +vat

Pretty much the same - is not good enough to me

these pipes
C96119932 £19.44 +vat
C96093534 £16.74 +vat
are the 2 pipes connected on the brake doseur valve - which I should have NOTICED is located different on a right hander BX

I apologise for the wrong part no. above on these pipes - as these certainly are for left handers