? Leak On Rear Suspension

[Guest Peter07]

Hello everybody, quite a while since I posted as my C5 has been behaving itself - until now, though I have kept an eye on the forum posts.

My car: 2005 C5 VTR Hdi 2179 Estate. 57,600 miles, had from one year old and only average 8000/year.

Took it for its 3rd MOT yesterday and it failed because "Rear N/S suspension unit leaking" I couldn't wait while they did the MOT and when I picked it up the tester had gone. They said they could not do the job and I would have to take it to a main dealer. Took it straight away and they booked it in for replacement without even having a look at the car, on the strength of the failure certificate, and couldn't give me a price as their computer was down, but said over £200. Can't do it until next Thursday which is cutting it fine for my 10 day free re-test.

 

So far so good I suppose, but my question is this: Is it really buggered? I have not noticed any leaks when it is parked and the suspension seems to do what it is told in terms of changing the ride height and I haven't noticed any other symptoms affecting handling etc. I left it set high last night and measured all wheels wheel arch to wheel centre and all were 480mm, this morning they were still the same. The lowered height on the same basis is 350 front and 360 rear. I had a look underneath and the rubber gaiter in front of the sphere on the rear nearside did look a bit damp compared to the offside, there was nothing at all on the sphere itself. I cleaned it up and underneath the muck it looked dry. I then raised and lowered the suspension 6 times and had another look but there was no more dampness evident.

 

The garage that did the MOT (not sure whether I can name them) have no axe to grind really as they couldn't do the work, but I am wondering whether they could have made a genuine mistake? I am more concerned that a main dealer books me in and orders parts on the basis of somebody elses failure certificate without even looking at the car, but this is typical of my experiences with them.

 

Has anyone any ideas about this? I would be pleased to hear from you if you can help.

Thanks. Pete

[Johndouglas]

Your problem has been discussed at some length on FCF. I suggest you post your trouble on there. Meanwhile read this:-

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=32149&highlight=suspension+seals

[Guest Peter07]

Many thanks John, exactly the same issue as me and an interesting read. Has given me the confidence to query the main dealer about it at least. It could well be just the seals or even a small split in the gaiter, but not having even looked at it the dealer doesn't know and it is obvious that their only solution is to whack on the whole part rather than repair it, disgraceful, but it is only the customers money. I used to do most of my own stuff but now, as a pensioner with a bad back I physically can't and I hadn't realised how vulnerable it leaves you having to rely so heavily on what dealers say, certainly without forums like this I wouldn't have a clue.

 

Your problem has been discussed at some length on FCF. I suggest you post your trouble on there. Meanwhile read this:-

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=32149&highlight=suspension+seals