Comfort spheres

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

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
XantiaDaveEire
Posts: 560
Joined: 27 Sep 2008, 02:20
Location: Ireland
My Cars:
x 4

Comfort spheres

Post by XantiaDaveEire »

I'm going to look into getting a set of these for my car..first of all how are they any different to any other sphere ,is it that they just have a bigger Diaphragm?

And secondly has anyone got them on their car?If so is there any noticeable differance? [-o<

Dave
1998 Xantia 1.9 TD 186k
2008 C4 grand Picasso exclusive 105k #-o
Citroenmad
Posts: 8125
Joined: 04 Dec 2008, 22:08
Location: Northeast
My Cars: 07 Citroen C6 V6 HDi Exclusive - Red
07 Citroen C5 HDi VTR - Red
09 Citroen C3 1.4i VTR - Silver
01 Citroen Saxo 1.1i Forte - Mango Orange
93 Ford Mondeo 2.0i GLX
19 Hyundai i10
x 110

Re: Comfort spheres

Post by Citroenmad »

Comfort spheres have a larger damping hole in the sphere, they are often normal spheres but with the hole drilled slightly larger.

In my opinion this is not the correct way to improve the ride quality as it plays with damping, which in my experience, makes the car under damped. Ideally the sphere pressure should be increased slightly and this does give a softer ride but with the same damping effects.

Ive had these on a C5 and removed them as they gave an awful ride, it was a bit like being stick on a bouncy castle with 20 people jumping on it. It was never going to settle down!
Chris
07 Citroen C6 V6 HDi Exclusive - Red
07 Citroen C5 HDi VTR - Red
09 Citroen C3 1.4i VTR - Silver
01 Citroen Saxo 1.1i Forte - Mango Orange
.
93 Ford Mondeo 2.0i GLX
19 Hyundai i10
aerodynamica
Donor 2023
Posts: 1299
Joined: 26 Dec 2007, 18:10
Location: Glasgow
Lexia Available: Yes
My Cars: 2008 C5 Exclusive Tourer
1993 Xantia 1.9 TD VSX Mk1 Sinker A.K.A Slugmobile 13'
'Old Katy'
previous convictions: totaling 52litres of LHM in one go:
1968 ID19B 'Old Polly' Stellar white
1993 Xantia 1.9 TD SX Mk1 Sinker Silver
1992 XM 2.0 SEi Turbo Manual Anthracite Grey
1982 CX 20 Pallas 'Old Goldy'
1993 XM 2.1 SD Auto Light blue
1993 Xantia 1.9 TD SX Mk1 Sinker light Blue
1982 BX 16 TRS 'Cyril' Vallelunga Red
1995 Xantia 1.9 D SX Auto Dark green
1977 CX 2400 Pallas C-Matic 'Aphrodite' Regatta Blue
1982 GSA Pallas SE Silver Pearl
1980 CX 2000 Reflex Vallelunga Red
1978 CX 2400 Pallas C-Matic 'Prometheus' Midnight blue
1984 BX 14E 'Cecil the slugmobile' Maroon
1987 Fiat Panda 'the mighty panda'
x 97

Re: Comfort spheres

Post by aerodynamica »

I agree with Citroenmad, I have softened the ride on my Xantia 1.9 TD by fitting a new pair of rear spheres from a Xantia 1.9 D (non-turbo) these have 40bar pressure in them instead of the 30 bar for the turbo ones - damping is still sensible.

At the front I fitted my spare pair of CX fronts: these are from a CX turbo and the damper appears almost identical to the right sphere for the Xantia however, the CX uses larger 500cc spheres (bit longer) and has a pressure of 75 bar instead of the Xantia's 60 or 70 (can't recall which but it's a bit less) These give a sumptuous ride with sensible damping.
Graeme M
2008 C5 Exclusive Tourer 2.0 HDi
User avatar
DickieG
Monaco's youngest playboy
Posts: 4877
Joined: 25 Nov 2006, 09:15
Location: Buckinghamshire
My Cars:
x 38

Re: Comfort spheres

Post by DickieG »

I use non original spec sphere's on both of my Xantia's which have Hydractive suspension, what I've done is to use non Hydractive sphere's then I invariably switch on sports mode (especially when carrying more than one passenger) to avoid the suspension oscillating when encountering undulations as sports mode firms up the suspension up to standard Hydropneumatic suspension as soon as the road surface deteriorates or an input of steering or acceleration is made. The ride is super smooth yet still controlled and not sloppy.

Something to bear in mind is that mileage and the wear and tear it brings does have an effect on how soft the suspension feels (presumably due to wear in the struts) my present HDi has done 65k and the VSX 36k, using the same set up on my previous HDi (150k) gave an even softer ride.
13 Ram 1500 Hemi
14 BMW 535D Tourer
19 BMW i3s
06 C3 Desire 1.4
72 DS 21 EFi Pallas BVH
XantiaDaveEire
Posts: 560
Joined: 27 Sep 2008, 02:20
Location: Ireland
My Cars:
x 4

Re: Comfort spheres

Post by XantiaDaveEire »

aerodynamica wrote:I agree with Citroenmad, I have softened the ride on my Xantia 1.9 TD by fitting a new pair of rear spheres from a Xantia 1.9 D (non-turbo) these have 40bar pressure in them instead of the 30 bar for the turbo ones - damping is still sensible.

At the front I fitted my spare pair of CX fronts: these are from a CX turbo and the damper appears almost identical to the right sphere for the Xantia however, the CX uses larger 500cc spheres (bit longer) and has a pressure of 75 bar instead of the Xantia's 60 or 70 (can't recall which but it's a bit less) These give a sumptuous ride with sensible damping.
My Xantia has 55 on the front and 30 on the rear.....I think i'd like to go with 70 on the front and 40 on the rear sounds a bit better to me :-k

I'm sure everyone is different as to how soft or firm they like their suspension to be, but ideally i'd like mine to be as much like a barge as possible :-D ..To sink down as you sit in to it and not feel every single speed bump where i live :roll:

So the verdict is to give the "comfort" spheres a miss :lol: :lol:

I don't fancy buying the spheres in A.E.P direct as this is where i got them the last 2 times and i haven't really been happy with them :roll: ..I think they were I.F.H.S brand if i remember correctly

What make do G.S.F sell does anyone know?
1998 Xantia 1.9 TD 186k
2008 C4 grand Picasso exclusive 105k #-o
User avatar
Dommo
Posts: 1191
Joined: 11 Apr 2009, 09:43
Location: Stoke-on-Trent
My Cars: Current
07 C5 VTX+ 2.2 HDi 173hp
97 S1 Activa
06 Boxster S
93 XM 2.1 Turbo SD

Previous cars
91 Toyota Soarer UZZ32 Active Suspension
97 S1 VSX 1.9 Turbo D
99 Xantia Activa
98 2.1TD Xantia
99 306
x 19

Re: Comfort spheres

Post by Dommo »

Amtex
XantiaDaveEire
Posts: 560
Joined: 27 Sep 2008, 02:20
Location: Ireland
My Cars:
x 4

Re: Comfort spheres

Post by XantiaDaveEire »

That's the one!! :D
1998 Xantia 1.9 TD 186k
2008 C4 grand Picasso exclusive 105k #-o
MPV
Posts: 106
Joined: 27 Sep 2010, 13:11
Location:
My Cars:

Re: Comfort spheres

Post by MPV »

I had comfort "spheres" on my old BX...ok in a straight line, but scary in bends or cross winds!
Synergie XUD9 - the "Duck-billed-clatterbus"
aerodynamica
Donor 2023
Posts: 1299
Joined: 26 Dec 2007, 18:10
Location: Glasgow
Lexia Available: Yes
My Cars: 2008 C5 Exclusive Tourer
1993 Xantia 1.9 TD VSX Mk1 Sinker A.K.A Slugmobile 13'
'Old Katy'
previous convictions: totaling 52litres of LHM in one go:
1968 ID19B 'Old Polly' Stellar white
1993 Xantia 1.9 TD SX Mk1 Sinker Silver
1992 XM 2.0 SEi Turbo Manual Anthracite Grey
1982 CX 20 Pallas 'Old Goldy'
1993 XM 2.1 SD Auto Light blue
1993 Xantia 1.9 TD SX Mk1 Sinker light Blue
1982 BX 16 TRS 'Cyril' Vallelunga Red
1995 Xantia 1.9 D SX Auto Dark green
1977 CX 2400 Pallas C-Matic 'Aphrodite' Regatta Blue
1982 GSA Pallas SE Silver Pearl
1980 CX 2000 Reflex Vallelunga Red
1978 CX 2400 Pallas C-Matic 'Prometheus' Midnight blue
1984 BX 14E 'Cecil the slugmobile' Maroon
1987 Fiat Panda 'the mighty panda'
x 97

Re: Comfort spheres

Post by aerodynamica »

tellin ya! Xantia Non turbo rears are plush - been to work and back today and they are really soft without being mad. The standard turbo rears seemed a bit stodgy though not at all bumpy.
CX turbo ones on the front is just my choice and it works very well. Standard CX fronts will be even softer (and guess what's on the front of my CX.... might give them a go..)

EDIT: if anyone wants my pair of rear standard Xantia 1.9 TD/ 2.0i spheres, they're a year old - just PM.
Graeme M
2008 C5 Exclusive Tourer 2.0 HDi
XantiaDaveEire
Posts: 560
Joined: 27 Sep 2008, 02:20
Location: Ireland
My Cars:
x 4

Re: Comfort spheres

Post by XantiaDaveEire »

I had a look today on gsf for prices £31.20 a sphere :shock: :shock:

Then went over to aep direct think they were £18 + vat so i'll just get them from there ,The gsf website is an absolute pig to get through :evil:

Let me know how ya get on if ya try the normal Cx fronts on the Xantia :wink:
1998 Xantia 1.9 TD 186k
2008 C4 grand Picasso exclusive 105k #-o
aneesh84
Posts: 366
Joined: 31 Jul 2011, 22:29
Location: Lisbon, Portugal
My Cars:
x 28

Re: Comfort spheres

Post by aneesh84 »

Hi aerodynamica.... my 1.9TD hydropneumatic xantia spheres were flat and my central valves and ECU were not working, and I just don't have the resources to get them working. So I went ahead with your comment and ordered 2 CX turbo spheres(500cc 75bars ) for the front and 2 xantia non-turbo (400cc 40 bar) spheres for the back. Just placed the order with AEP to ship them to portugal. Hope they provide decent softness and damping!
Xantia Estate 1999 2.0 HDI 110
C5 2005 2.0 HDI 138
Nissan Leaf 2018 40Kwh
XantiaDaveEire
Posts: 560
Joined: 27 Sep 2008, 02:20
Location: Ireland
My Cars:
x 4

Re: Comfort spheres

Post by XantiaDaveEire »

aneesh84 wrote:Hi aerodynamica.... my 1.9TD hydropneumatic Xantia spheres were flat and my central valves and ECU were not working, and I just don't have the resources to get them working. So I went ahead with your comment and ordered 2 CX turbo spheres(500cc 75bars ) for the front and 2 Xantia non-turbo (400cc 40 bar) spheres for the back. Just placed the order with AEP to ship them to portugal. Hope they provide decent softness and damping!
Let us know how you get on with them when you fit them :-D
1998 Xantia 1.9 TD 186k
2008 C4 grand Picasso exclusive 105k #-o
steelcityuk
Posts: 1053
Joined: 03 Jul 2006, 21:51
Location: not applicable
My Cars: not applicable
x 1

Re: Comfort spheres

Post by steelcityuk »

I tried a set of comfort spheres on my XM 2.1 VSX. It felt awful, somehow it made it seem like driving something more like a stretched limo with 'american' suspension. That said the cars suspension was working really well so they were overkill. One thing about using sphere's with larger damping holes is that you'll get greater suspension travel and fluid flow which I find is good when using hydroflush to bring the suspension back to life , though sinkers seem less prone stiffness I've found.

Steve.
not applicable
f00lzz
Posts: 795
Joined: 28 Mar 2006, 19:30
Location: Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands. UK
My Cars:

Re: Comfort spheres

Post by f00lzz »

Don't do it!!
Put them on my V6 and it's like piloting a boat..
Ian
Account Ref: 6419

Current Cars
Nissan X-Trail SVE
Saab 2.2TiD
Merc E270 Estate

Past Citroens
2001 Xantia 3.0 Exclusive
1999 Xantia 1.9TD
1997 Xantia 3.0 Exclusive
1995 XM 3.0 Exclusive Estate
aneesh84
Posts: 366
Joined: 31 Jul 2011, 22:29
Location: Lisbon, Portugal
My Cars:
x 28

Re: Comfort spheres

Post by aneesh84 »

XantiaDaveEire wrote:
aneesh84 wrote:Hi aerodynamica.... my 1.9TD hydropneumatic Xantia spheres were flat and my central valves and ECU were not working, and I just don't have the resources to get them working. So I went ahead with your comment and ordered 2 CX turbo spheres(500cc 75bars ) for the front and 2 Xantia non-turbo (400cc 40 bar) spheres for the back. Just placed the order with AEP to ship them to portugal. Hope they provide decent softness and damping!
Let us know how you get on with them when you fit them :-D
Yes I will keep you updated! :-)
Xantia Estate 1999 2.0 HDI 110
C5 2005 2.0 HDI 138
Nissan Leaf 2018 40Kwh
Post Reply