Lhm Change

[flunkstar1]

hi i have just bought a 1.9 vsx and the steering is very heavy i had a guy look at it, and says i need LHM oil but he won,t touch it, he is no mechanic but has good understanding off cars,i am going to buy the LHM oil from a main dealer,i am wondering if i can just top it up or do i have to flush out the old,citroen asks for silly money to change it.is this an easy job for a novice or should i just pay a dealer?????many thanks for any help..

[Johndouglas]

You don't need to go to a dealer to buy LHM. GSF or Eurocarspares both stock good quality stuff. The LHM in your car should look bright green - if it looks like drinking chocolate it's way past it's change time. To do the job properly the tank should be removed, the filters in the tank should be cleaned, the system filled with hydraflush and the car used for a 1000 miles before removing the hydraflush, recleaning the filters and filling with new LHM.

 

See here:-

https://secure.gsfcarparts.com/shop/results.asp

[flunkstar1]

You don't need to go to a dealer to buy LHM. GSF or Eurocarspares both stock good quality stuff. The LHM in your car should look bright green - if it looks like drinking chocolate it's way past it's change time. To do the job properly the tank should be removed, the filters in the tank should be cleaned, the system filled with hydraflush and the car used for a 1000 miles before removing the hydraflush, recleaning the filters and filling with new LHM.

 

See here:-

https://secure.gsfcarparts.com/shop/results.asp

OK MANY THANX FOR YOUR FAST REPLY....SO IF IT IS BRIGHT GREEN,I WILL BE ABLE TO TOP IT UP?

[Guest Colin Hunter]

You can get LHM just about anywhere. Any good motor factor should stock it at about £4.50 a litre or so. The heavy steeing could possible be down to a stiff UJ. See this thread for details. Dave Walling is the guy to ask on this one as he's had the same problem http://www.citroen-owners-club.co.uk/citro...?showtopic=4936

 

The LHM filters are in the lid of the tank and can be accessed by unclipping ALL the pipes from the side of the tank and "rolling" the lid out with the pipes attached. Clean the filters in petrol or thinners and blow them out with air (If you can). It isn't "Difficult" to do but is rather awkward as the pipes hinder movement. Just persevere and you'll get there. While the lid is off, remove the tank and clean it out, or as JD says, put in Hydraflush and do the cleaning later. You should be able to empty it with a syringe type thingy (Turkey baster etc) and wipe it out in place for the time being. Be sure to use a cloth that doesn't leave "bits" behind though.

 

People are generally wary of Citroens hydraulic system because they have heard stories about the expense of getting repairs done and the "Complexity" of the system and "Specialist" servicing required. Thruth is, if you steer clear of "Hydractive" cars most things can be done on a DIY basis quite cheaply. For instance, a mate of mine paid £95 plus vat for ONE spring for a Volvo V40. You can buy 4 spheres for a Xantia for less than that which are springs AND dampers! Also You'll change all 4 in less time than one "Spring" if you have the right gear.

 

Keep all the rods and links underneath free and well greased, also the two height correctors and their little plastic links and operate the system from high to low every week or so to keep it free. (Citrobics) If you do this, and keep all the pipes well waxoiled you'll have very little trouble.

 

Cheers Hope this helps. :D

[flunkstar1]

You can get LHM just about anywhere. Any good motor factor should stock it at about £4.50 a litre or so. The heavy steeing could possible be down to a stiff UJ. See this thread for details. Dave Walling is the guy to ask on this one as he's had the same problem http://www.citroen-owners-club.co.uk/citro...?showtopic=4936

 

The LHM filters are in the lid of the tank and can be accessed by unclipping ALL the pipes from the side of the tank and "rolling" the lid out with the pipes attached. Clean the filters in petrol or thinners and blow them out with air (If you can). It isn't "Difficult" to do but is rather awkward as the pipes hinder movement. Just persevere and you'll get there. While the lid is off, remove the tank and clean it out, or as JD says, put in Hydraflush and do the cleaning later. You should be able to empty it with a syringe type thingy (Turkey baster etc) and wipe it out in place for the time being. Be sure to use a cloth that doesn't leave "bits" behind though.

 

People are generally wary of Citroens hydraulic system because they have heard stories about the expense of getting repairs done and the "Complexity" of the system and "Specialist" servicing required. Thruth is, if you steer clear of "Hydractive" cars most things can be done on a DIY basis quite cheaply. For instance, a mate of mine paid £95 plus vat for ONE spring for a Volvo V40. You can buy 4 spheres for a Xantia for less than that which are springs AND dampers! Also You'll change all 4 in less time than one "Spring" if you have the right gear.

 

Keep all the rods and links underneath free and well greased, also the two height correctors and their little plastic links and operate the system from high to low every week or so to keep it free. (Citrobics) If you do this, and keep all the pipes well waxoiled you'll have very little trouble.

 

Cheers Hope this helps. :D

MANY THANX FOR YOUR HELP

[DaveWalling]

Hi Flunkstar, Before you change the LHM fluid it could be worth spraying the UV joints on the steering column. I had problems with heavy steering and the problem turned out to be the joints on the steering column. That was after I had the hydraulic pump changed!

Dave

[Penguin]

This is mainly aimed at Colin but all help appreciated. In the above post that tells how to empty and clean the tank, filters etc, will that remove all of the fluid or will there still be some in the sytem elsewhere? Also, should the car be in any particular position suspension wise? and does it have to be done on level ground, not much of that around here? As you know I have just bought a Xantia and I took a look at the fluid today and it was a rather nasty yellowy brown. The steering is a tad on the heavy side, not too bad but heavier than my extremely light Imprezza. Ooh, I almost forgot, how much fluid do you put in roughly? 1l, 5l, 10l?

 

Cheers

 

Penguin

[Guest Colin Hunter]

You are correct in your assumption that emptying the tank will leave the remaining fluid in the system. The volume of this can be reduced by putting the car on the low setting and depressurising. By the sound of things the previous owner has let the fluid get into a pretty poor condition. It should be much the same as new fluid straight from the bottle. It may be a good idea to flush the system before renewing the fluid. I can't give you any advice on this procedure as I've always changed out the fluid before it got even mildly contaminated. That way you don't have to worry about the fluid that's left behind as it's still servicable. The only knowledge I have of "Hydraflush" and similar is what I've read in these forums, so if anyone else has done the job speak up.

 

I can't tell you exactly how much fluid you'll need for an entire system change, only that it takes 3 or 4 litres to re-fill the tank, bearing in mind the car has to be on the high setting and the orange disc in between the lines.

 

Sorry I can't be more helpfull. This question now open to answers!

 

Cheers :)

[Penguin]

Thanks for the info Colin. If anyone else can add more to this debate please don't be shy...

 

Presumably, those of you that have flushed your system will then have had to empty all the flush out before refilling with LHM?

[Penguin]

OK, got the LHM changed but now have a rather strange problem. When I switch the engine on the suspension drops before sitting at the correct level for driving. I was pretty sure it was the front end doing it but this evening it was definitely the rear that dropped, so either I was mistaken before or both ends are affected.

 

I'm assuming something wasn't done correctly when changing the fluid. I have done a couple of Citrobics and that seems fine.

 

Any ideas?