N/s Rear Suspension

[cbrAndy]

Hi peeps :)

 

I seem to have a slight leak around the gaiter coming from the piston/sphere, is it an easy fix or do I need to take it to the stealers?

 

I've got an MOT in 2wks Eeek!

Edited September 2, 2014 by cbrAndy

[paul.h]

I had a leaking gaiter also on the n/s rear strut, the lds was coming out at the suspension arm end as a very slight drip. It passed an MOT but I later replaced the gaiter thinking it may have a pin hole or other damage at the end. However, this did not stop the leak and in the end I had the dealer replace the strut at the MOT in Sept 2013. Labour is only 1 hour max and the parts are the same cost - total was £244 with the parts strut £143, sphere to strut seal £3, R pin £1.59, LDS fluid £13. If you do the work yourself a sphere removal tool will be needed so you would not save the full labour cost.

 

The Haynes manual covers the strut and gaiter replacement.

 

Before the MOT, make sure you raise the car to max height and wipe any oil off the front suspension struts. A slight oil smear is normal but a non Citroen dealer/specialist may fail the car.

[cbrAndy]

Thanks Paul that's very helpful! :)

[cbrAndy]

Bit the bullet and booked her in at the Citroen garage for an MOT on Monday, if they fail it on the suspension then it will have to be done. Wish me luck!, lol  

[coastline taxis]

good luck

[cbrAndy]

Took the car in for the MOT and she did fail on the n/s/r suspension leaking, which I did expect (luckily that's all she failed on). What I didn't expect was a qoute for £390.72! Eeek! I asked what that included and they said .....

 

"everything sir, the complete unit"

 

Me, "Do I really need the 'complete unit' can't you just change the seals/gaitor/piston as ness?

 

Them, "Well I s'pose we could and that would be £265.76, but once we've started if it turns out that it needs a new sphere it will return to the original quote"

 

I don't see why it would need a new sphere?

 

So, I'm gonna get a few qoutes from some local garages and see what they say ;)

[paul.h]

£146 more than I paid for the new strut and I used our local main dealer. The sphere was not replaced though but then one would not cost that much and when you look at the cost for just seals/gaiter replacement it looks as if they have not included for a new sphere in any of the costs. Where are you located ? The seals do not cost much but then there is no guarantee just replacing them that it would not still leak. So it looks as if they want to charge about £250 labour - 3 hours when the book time is just less than 1 hour.

[cbrAndy]

Thanks Paul,

 

I'm in Attleborough, Norfolk  :) 

 

Did abit of research (3hrs <_< ) but managed to find a decent Citroen specialist in Norwich that will do the repairs for £108 :D.

 

http://www.ndbautos.co.uk/

[paul.h]

Is that for a used part ? Also can they do the MOT for you or do you need to go back to the original garage ?

[cbrAndy]

New parts, and I have 10 working days to take it back to the original garage for a free 're-MOT', will let you know if this transpires ;)

[cbrAndy]

So, took the car in this mornin and left it with them, 40mins later I get a phone call .......

 

"Hi Andy it's Chris from the garage, we have inspected the suspension and it needs a new piston + seals/gaiter etc etc"

 

Me, "I thought that's what you were gonna do?"

 

Him,"No sir we thought it would just be the gaiter and seals, but it needs a new piston aswell"

 

Me, How much then?"

 

Him, "All in £249"

 

So, it's gone from £108 to £249 and he won't have the parts in until tomorrow! (40mile round trip in rush hour :(). Still I s'pose it's still cheaper than Duff Morgans (original garage).