Power Steering Leaking Fluid

[bigwusser]

Paul.h

The garage was 'The Steering Specialists' based in Horbury Bridge, just outside Wakefield.

They do C5 pinion seals on a regular basis but they admit this is the first C5 that has blown seals like mine has.

I think the problem lays in the previous owner who has certainly had a go at bodging a fix and when this didn't work has decided to pass the issue down the line and i was the idiot who ended up with it. So what has been put into the fluid to try to stop the leaks god only knows. This could have been part of the issue.

One point the garage did make is that using a product like 'Stop Leak' is probably the worse thing you can do as it coats all the inside of the pump/rack and pipes. It wouldn't suprise me if this had been used before.

Hopefully now this is put to bed and worse case scenario i have to obtain another pump and get it fitted.

The guys at the garage really couldn't have been more accomodating in trying to solve the issue and as you say, it's been a bit of a learning curve for them too.

 

Will add any more detail if things progress any..

[markflip]

I've just had exactly the same problem with my 2008 C5 X7 at just over 110k miles and thanks to this thread have just got back from Steering Specialists Ltd in Wakefield, who have fitted a new rack for me today 'while I waited'.  I got there at 8.30am and they'd got it done by 2.30pm.  They confirmed in my case it was the known issue with the input shaft corroding and shredding the seal.  The replacement has been given a good 'ring' of copper grease  to stop water 'pooling' where the shaft enters the rack, which is what causes the problem and they've recommended that this is wiped off and replaced during each service.

 

They also recommended that I replaced the low pressure hose at the same time as they did the rack.  The hose is terminated with an alloy flange, which Citroen helpfully secure with a steel clamp, so they also corrode terribly and they got fed up of replacing steering racks then getting cars back in a few days with a leaking hose, so almost insist on replacing them.  I paid £340 for the reconditioned rack, including fitting and the low pressure hose is a Citroen only part and costs £100, which they asked for 'up front' 2 days before my appointment as they have to order from a main dealer.  They were super helpful and a very genuine company that i have no hesitation in recommending.

Edited June 19, 2017 by markflip

[paul.h]

Welcome to the forum.

 

You would think Citroen would know about steel and alloy causing corrosion. On the earlier model C5 and other cars the rear brake calipers are alloy and they corrode where they are fastened to the steel suspension arm so every year or so they need removing and greasing to minimise it.