what does the writing on spheres mean?

This is the Forum for all your Citroen Technical Questions, Problems or Advice.

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
_kid_
Posts: 206
Joined: 07 Oct 2005, 07:05
Location:
My Cars:

what does the writing on spheres mean?

Post by _kid_ »

Can anyone explain what the writing on my front spheres mean?

On both spheres (Citroen genuine) it has written in black the following: 96178589. They also have in capitals the letters DL.

Also indented into the sphere are 55 and C33 as well as the Citroen chevrons.

I have looked on the gsf sphere table reference but can see any of these.

The car is xantia 1.8 16v, so the correct gsf sphere is N45332, but the above 8-digit code does not tally with the Citroen ref on the gsf site.

Hope you can help
currently no citroens :-(
1.4 2000 forte now gone too
xantia 1.8i 16v dimension 1996P now gone,
User avatar
Kowalski
Posts: 2557
Joined: 15 Oct 2003, 17:41
Location: North East, United Kingdom
My Cars: Ex 05 C5 2.0 HDI Exclusive 145k
Ex 97 Xantia 1.9TD SX 144k
Ex 94 Xantia Dimension 1.9TD 199k

Post by Kowalski »

The 55 is the sphere pressure in BAR, 55 is the correct pressure for a non-hydractive front sphere. Originally some cars did get the 70 BAR sphere but that was phased out some time around 96. I don't know what the rest of the writing means, it could be a manufacturer code, serial number or something like that.

In any case N45332 should be equivilent and fit your car.

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... hp?t=13681
User avatar
Mandrake
Posts: 8615
Joined: 10 Apr 2005, 17:23
Location: North Lanarkshire, UK
My Cars:
x 664

Post by Mandrake »

96178589 is a Citroen part number, and its listed in the book I have, It's a front sphere from a Non-Hydractive Xantia, 1996 onwards, Desmopan diaphram, 400cc volume, 55 bar pressure, and 1.5mm damper bypass hole.

There are a lot of sphere variations which are not significant which are not shown on the GSF sphere table, which is why there is often no match for the Citroen number there.

It's true that before 1996 the "lower powered" models did have 70 bar spheres (with 1.65mm holes) at the front, specifically, the 1.6i, 1.8i and 1.9D.

This would have given a softer more floaty ride, and probably gobs of body roll and not very good handling 8)

I remember reading reviews of early Xantia's critisizing the body roll and handling of the lower spec models - and it will be due to those extra soft spheres...(also softer at the back too)

Of course you can put the post-1996 spheres onto pre-1996 models and get the same ride/handling characteristics of the later models...

And yes N45332 should be an exact match.

Regards,
Simon
Simon

1997 Xantia S1 3.0 V6 Auto Exclusive in Silex Grey
2016 Nissan Leaf Tekna 30kWh in White

2011 Peugeot Ion Full Electric in Silver
1977 G Special 1129cc LHD
1978 CX 2400
1997 Xantia S1 2.0i Auto VSX
1998 Xantia S2 3.0 V6 Auto Exclusive
_kid_
Posts: 206
Joined: 07 Oct 2005, 07:05
Location:
My Cars:

Post by _kid_ »

thanks guys, thats put my mind at rest
currently no citroens :-(
1.4 2000 forte now gone too
xantia 1.8i 16v dimension 1996P now gone,
User avatar
Clogzz
Posts: 2115
Joined: 15 May 2005, 18:04
Location: Australia
My Cars:
x 36
Contact:

Post by Clogzz »

Lost your password ?
Click 'lost my password' under 'log in', and they will send it to you.
2002 C5 2.0i AL4 230,000 km 76372389
Post Reply