Lds Leak - Front Regulator Sphere And Supply Piping

[sifaan]

Hi all

 

Back with more suspension related problems - this time some LDS leaks :(

 

One leak is from the front regulator sphere (where it screws in). My guess is the seal (what citroen calls a square seal) is the culprit - had a similar issue with another sphere some time back.

Questions:

1. Does the system need to be depressurised to replace the seal?

2. What tools are needed to remove and then refit the regulator sphere? Is it a DIY job?

3. Any other things to watch out for? Other than Citraerobics to bleed the system?

 

The other leak is in the supply piping - one of the rubber hoses between the metal piping (I think it's 5270 RN, but might be 5270 QE). The hoses in this has been fixed up locally by a previous owner (the clamps on the hoses look different to the original clamps). Getting a hose fabricated and fitted shouldn't be a problem, but

1. Does the system need to be depressurised before disconnecting the hose?

2. Any things to watch for?

 

Thanks!

/Sifaan

[paul.h]

I can not really answer the questions but if you do need to depressure the system you do not need to do both the front and the back, only the relevant end. When I had to do some work on mine, once at the right height, I disconnected the battery so the pump would not run and then opened the reservoir cap to release the gas pressure to reduce the amount of oil lost (gas expansion is a greater volume than liquid to lose pressure).

[coastline taxis]

If you havnt got the software to depressurise the system there is another way. put car on ramp with susppension on low and cap removed and disconect the battery. next to the rear height adjuster youul see a bleed nipple with the suspension pipes connected to it. put a hose over the nipple and open it very slowly and just a bit at a time so you can control the flow. Once the plow has stopped the system has lost its pressure

[sifaan]

thanks paul and coastline for insights on depressurising.

what kind of tools would we need to remove/refit the accumulator sphere? and any special precautions to take on it?

[coastline taxis]

none just depresurise the system. remove the sphere with oil strap or sphere tool screw in new one. start the car up and it will fill the system itself

[sifaan]

In the end there wasn't much bleeding needed as it turned out there was hardly any oil in the system at all!

the hose that was leaking turned out to be not the original hose - got another one made up (well, still not original, but I guess it should last a few years) and topped up with fresh oil and suspension has been behaving nicely since then.

Also replaced the seal at the accumulator sphere at the same time.

[coastline taxis]

Thanks for comming back and letting us know how you got on