Front strut return pipe advice.....

[Kevin B]

I need a bit of advice on the availability of a good quality pair of front strut return pipes.

Just looking over a BX of mine that is due an MOT soon , and the GSF front strut return pipes that were fitted new for the MOT last year are already showing serious splitting on the tubes (to the extent that the MOT inspector will not miss). This car has done less than 1000miles since the last MOT.

This was my first experience of using GSF front strut return pipes, is this normal, or did I just have the miss fortune to buy some poor quality parts?

Apart from genuine Citroen parts 95622818, are there any other options that are going to last longer than the GSF version?

For example do Euro car parts still do this item, and they any good?

Thanks in anticipation of your responses.

[BX Bandit]

Get a xantia or xm one but genuine. They only have one leak off but that all you need, just blank the other one off. One year is about right for a gsf srp, utter rubbish they are

[Mothman]

Put some on one of mine a year ago from GSF and they are bolloxed already. If you find a good source, please let me know.

Andy

[Way2go]

One year is about right for the GSF crap ones or if replaced for one MOT they usually fail before the next one. GSF are like ostriches over this "quality" but of course they get to sell many more pipes as a result.

Genuine Citroen BX ones from the stealer is the only way to go but if they are out of stock then the Xantia one pipe design will get you out of trouble (blank unused connection). The BX two pipe design was because one leg was fitted with a non-return valve which caused a pump action when the strut went up & down but the valve has been omitted for some years now anyway.

[Mothman]

Does anyone know the Citroen part no for original ones?

Andy

[Way2go]

Does anyone know the Citroen part no for original ones?

Pt/No 95622818

[citronut]

here is price and part No.'s of leg pipe and retaining clip from citroen

Part Number Description Quantity Price excl. VAT Price incl. VAT Total incl. VAT Selection
95622818 LEAK BACK HOSE 11.62 GBP 13.94 GBP 13.94 GBP

96127591 ADJUST COLLAR 4.41 GBP 5.29 GBP 5.29 GBP

still showing as available

regards malcolm

[Kevin B]

One year is about right for the GSF crap ones or if replaced for one MOT they usually fail before the next one. GSF are like ostriches over this "quality" but of course they get to sell many more pipes as a result.

That been the case I cannot believe that GSF continue to sell this item if if fails with such frequency. There must be some serious material specification issues with this item, as the car has not done 1000 miles since the last MOT, it is almost as if the grade of rubber degrades when in contact with air, as it cracks form the outside inwards.

When compared to the GSF ebay offering: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Return-Pipe-f ... 561wt_1199" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; The main dealer price seems quite reasonable.

I have also found these people online, hence any opinions on this supplier of front strut return pipes:
http://www.aepdirect.com/strut-return-p ... ory_id=639" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Or do they get there stock from the same place as GSF

[BX Bandit]

AEP claim to use all OEM spec stuff, might be worth a try if they are significantly cheaper than main dealer ones?

[Tinkley]

Agreed GSF returns are crap, at least the ones I've boughtin the last 2 years. Older ones from 6-7 years ago were OK, so their supplier has changed. Definitely the wrong grade of rubber being used. I would hazard a guess that they should be Nitrile, and they are EPDM but stand to be corrected. Either way do NOT use them. If you check resistance to Mineral Oil (ie LHM) I believe Nitrile is far superior.

[Defender110]

This is all well known and often talked about on here, GSF ones have long been known to be crap and genuine Citroen ones are still readily available and cheap so no problem. The AEP ones are also genuine Citroen as per the description on your link; This is a new, original Genuine Citroen Box Strut Return Pipe

[Way2go]

Agreed GSF returns are crap, ..............Definitely the wrong grade of rubber being used.

I think that it's a rubber compound with some type of plasticiser mixed in with it for easy moulding. If you look at the GSF "legs" they have seams running down them where the mould splits apart for ejection whereas the OEM ones do not and look more like proper tubes. In fact you can feel the difference in quality when handling it.

[MULLEY]

You can tell just by looking at the return pipes & the feel of them if you compare them against genuine one's, gsf are wank.

[Mothman]

Bought a set of 5 original jobbies direct from local Citroen stealer this afternoon. Cost me 69 quid for a set of 5 but i suspect they will last many years. Glad to see they still supply them.

Andy

[Brian]

If I may bring up this old thread again, it will save you pounds and time.
The task can also be carried out insitu...

If the original leak back was a genuine one, then just use the bottom part as this:

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... php?t=8627" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Good luck.