Strut return pipes

[Pogo]

BX went for MOT today.
And the good news is it passed , but with a couple of advisories

Nearside steering rack gaiter deteriorated.

Front strut return pipes corroded.

So, how easy is it to stretch the the gaitor on to the rack as there is a big lump where the ram fixes to the steering arm.

And also, where can I get some of the steel strut return pipes from? are these still available from Citroen? or is it possible to make them up myself?

[KevR]

Never done the gaiter, but I'd asked myself the same question!
If you've got access to a Cit pipe-making tool, then it'd be easy enough to make some new hard link pipes from copper or good bits of old steel line.

[Mothman]

Ime afraid to say that the nearside steering rack gaitor is a bastard to fit. Malcolm will confirm this despite what others might say. Had him do it on my TZD as it needed it before the MOT and it had him cursing i can tell you. Offside i could do myself. You will have to undo the ram but ime sure Malcolm will explain this as he has a bit of spare time at the moment twiddling his fingers or should i say finger!!

Andy

[MULLEY]

I managed to bag a brand new strut return pipe section being talked about. I thought i'd use it as a pattern for future use, or if anyone wanted to borrow it to make up their own one(s). Not sure if they are side specific or not, i don't suppose they will be?

[Pogo]

Any chance of a picture of your pipe?, just so I know what shape i'm looking for.
Is there a part number on it?
I'm wondering if Pleidaes may do them?

[MULLEY]

I'll need to search in my garage for it, so give me a few day's incase i can't find it easily. Not sure about the part number, but if i find one i'll let you know. Best to give pileaedes a bell & ask the question.

[RxBX]

Any chance of a picture of your pipe?, just so I know what shape i'm looking for.
Is there a part number on it?
I'm wondering if Pleidaes may do them?

I doubt it very much (Being special for the BX) as the two Cad-plated pipes are brazed/spot welded to a metal bracket which in turn is fastened onto the lower inner wing with a self tapping screw IIRC and there not handed !

Are you after a pair or just one-side, as I may have one or possibly a pair available, I'll take a look in my spares stash for you tomorrow and PM you (If I find something)

.

[Tim Leech]

Had to fit one on my TZI last year, as Andy says theres a real swine, access is very awkward and you will get filthy!

[citronut]

here is price and part No. for the metal connector pipe

Part Number Description Quantity Price excl. VAT Price incl. VAT Total incl. VAT Selection
95591142 PIPE 2WAY UNION 11.47 GBP 13.76 GBP 13.76 GBP


it is showing as NFP and they are not handed

regards malcolm

[Pogo]

it is showing as NFP and they are not handed

regards malcolm

NFP? does that mean I can order some from Citroen?

I'm happy to buy some new ones if I cam , if not would be very pleased for some secondhand ones.
I think they both need doing.

[RxBX]

it is showing as NFP and they are not handed

regards malcolm

NFP? does that mean I can order some from Citroen?

NFP = 'No Further Production' unless you can get your local main Citroen dealer to check if any one has some lying on a shelf some where just gathering dust ?

.............................
Are you after a pair or just one-side, as I may have one or possibly a pair available, I'll take a look in my spares stash for you tomorrow and PM you (If I find something)

I checked out my spares stash today, sorry no luck (they may have got used in the past, but I can't remember for sure)

For a temporary fix (just to get it thro' the MOT) , cut the bad/rusted pipe pieces out and extend them with additional straight pieces of rubber or silicone pipe with an internal copper pipe sleeve to the rubber strut-return pipes and strap both of the temporary pipes together with some cable ties for additional support to keep them away from the inner-side of the wheel/tyre !

Obviously the MOT station are perhaps not familiar with Citroen's and are not aware that these pipes have no significant pressure (Being a vent/return) so there being over cautious, if there were no actual leaks IMHO surely just an advisory would have sufficed in this case ?

Now if they were the brake pipes or HP suspension feed pipes, that would be understandable to receive a failure if those are severely corroded !

The following THREAD may be of help if your going down a temporary fix method using an extended tubing and sleeving method !

Good luck with a finding some good S/H or new ones !



,

[Pogo]

RxBx, thanks for your help.
No not an actual fail, an advisory, my MOT man is familiar with Citroens of this age and was well aware they were low pressure pipes.
Thanks for the tips about extending the rubber pipes, it would be nice to replace them though, and I can't be the only one with this trouble!
I will keep looking.....

[citronut]

as RxBX said ask your local dealer to do an all dealer search to see what comes up,

they can and mostly will on request,

otherwise see if the original bracket can be salvaged, if not make a new one,
then have two lengths of copper pipe brazed onto that

regards malcolm

[Pogo]

Thanks, I'm not adverse to making something up, I know the strut side is just the rubber pipes pushed on, but are the engine bay side just pushed on too then?, sorry I have yet to investigate where the pipes run to, I guess they plug into the Octopus then on the offside?

[KevR]

Yep, that's right - both ends of the steel pipes have swages in them to stop the pipes popping off, but they're just pushed on.