Spheres or Tears?

lazza · Post by **lazza** » 09 Jul 2009, 09:37

HI

Have bought tools to change my spheres... but when checking comparative prices of spheres from the local car parts shop and the Citroen garage, the Citroen garage warned me against "pirate" spheres.

That is to say that they are just recharged and will be useless in a few months.. is this true? how can i be sure i'm buying new spheres?

thanks
Larry

Stempy · Post by **Stempy** » 09 Jul 2009, 09:40

Go to GSF and get Amtek ones, they last as long as genuine.

addo · Post by **addo** » 09 Jul 2009, 10:35

Is there a regassing or exchange service available to you, Lazza?

I have an aftermarket accumulator on my estate; it did lose about 33% pressure after twelve months, but then again it was possibly subject to some abuse (wound front calipers in without releasing bleeder screws).

As with nearly all spheres in Oz, it was simply regassed at a cost of $20 (£9.70) during a club "fix it" day.

Old-Guy · Post by **Old-Guy** » 09 Jul 2009, 10:44

Stempy is right. Set of 6 new spheres from GSF for my '95 1.9TD estate comes to just under £150 (£20.90 + VAT each). 5L of LHM bought from our local motor factor is about £20. I worked out that at Citroen list prices (18 months ago) the spheres would have cost over 3 times as much!

GSF used to have a table of spheres available to download as a pdf file (Adobe Reader). As it's disappeared, I've put a copy on my webpages at http://www.attfield.dircon.co.uk/xantia.

This table will enable you to find the part numbers of any spheres (not just Xantia). If you fill in GSF's on-line parts enquiry, they will mail you back with the part numbers. You can either order on-line at http://www.gsfcarparts.com/ or direct from their local branch. Their service is excellent.

To find parts to check prices, you need to go to their Shop link (horizontal link bar below the window). It's difficult to identify the correct spheres from this catalogue as some descriptions are so vague.

You probably don't need telling that you must replace 'corner' spheres in axle pairs. If you change the rear 'anti-sink' sphere, you also need to order a new 4.5mm pipe seal to go with it.

Please be careful about working underneath your Xantia - SUPPORT THE CAR SECURELY. If the suspension drops, you'll be trying to support 1,200Kg+ of car.

The secret of painless sphere changing is preparation: read up on the job, have a good sphere removal tool and give the threads of the spheres a good overnight soaking of penetrating fluid. A complete change of spheres and LHM, and bleed the brakes (essential) shouldn't take more than a day even doing it the hard way in your drive/garage.

lazza · Post by **lazza** » 09 Jul 2009, 13:15

HI

Thanks for your replies- i'm slightly confused on the gsf website- it says there is a N45354 SPHERE-REAR CENTRE and N45372 ANTISINK SPHERE-REAR XANTIA ANTI SINK (EXC ACTIVA)

Which one is the right one for my car?

cheers
Larry

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 09 Jul 2009, 13:30

were abouts are you as you might have a local'ish GSF branch to you,

then you could just pay them a visit,

this sphere is for XANTS/XM's with hydractive,

and this N45372 is as you state,

non H/A rear cornner spheres are hatch N45366

and estate " " " " N45370A,

GSF/AMTEX spheres are brand new and not re/con,

if you went to other factors and they asked for the old unist in exchang, then what ever they tell you they will be re/con

the above if your car is NOT H/A

regards malcolm

lazza · Post by **lazza** » 09 Jul 2009, 14:13

Well i dilemma, it will cost about the same to get gsf parts shipped to me as getting them here- but i suppose i'll have to wait a week or two

but here they may be dodgy.... mmmm

I presume if they dont ask me for an exchange I can assume they're new

cheers
Larry (in Spain)

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 09 Jul 2009, 16:02

Larry wrote
"I presume if they dont ask me for an exchange I can assume they're new"

i would think so,

or if they dont look like they have been brush painted

regards malcolm

Post by **Peter.N.** » 09 Jul 2009, 17:44

I have used GSF spheres for about 20 years and half a million miles, very rarely had a problem.

Post by **xantia_v6** » 09 Jul 2009, 18:37

this ebay item gives me the idea you should be able to find some new spheres closer to home

Old-Guy · Post by **Old-Guy** » 13 Jul 2009, 17:17

Larry

The inadequate descriptions for spheres on GSF's website was why I posted the link to the sphere table. It should be quite clear from the table which spheres you need for your particular model - the anti-sink sphere is common to all Xantias, the front corners vary according to engine (wgt) and the rears are different for saloons and estates.

Guy