Diagnosing Leaking Steering Rack

[ScottF]

I'm thinking of buying a C5 tourer as my next car, and the ones I'm looking at have around 70k on the clock. It's hard to visit a Citroen forum and not see talk of a leaky rack, so I'm wondering how common it really is, and how I'd notice it if I'm test driving one?

[Johndouglas]

From the posts on this forum the majority of leaking steering racks appear to be confined to 2008 & 9 model C5s.    My own is a 2010 model and so far it seems to be holding up well.

[ScottF]

Most of the C5s out there are 08-09...at least the ones within my price range!

[paul.h]

I do not think you would notice a leaking rack whilst driving, only by looking at the rack itself. Do not rely on a MOT pass either as indicating the rack is ok. We had a recent topic where somebody had just bought a C5 (X7) and was on here about something else when we suggested looking at the rack - sure enough it was leaking and had just passed the MOT at the garage where the car was bought.

 

Best thing is probably to allow up to £500 for a reconditioned rack to be fitted after you get a car.

[ScottF]

I do not think you would notice a leaking rack whilst driving, only by looking at the rack itself. Do not rely on a MOT pass either as indicating the rack is ok. We had a recent topic where somebody had just bought a C5 (X7) and was on here about something else when we suggested looking at the rack - sure enough it was leaking and had just passed the MOT at the garage where the car was bought.

 

Best thing is probably to allow up to £500 for a reconditioned rack to be fitted after you get a car.

 

 

Exactly the advice I wanted. Thanks!