changing spheres

myheadhurts · Post by **myheadhurts** » 11 Feb 2004, 23:28

I'm hoping somebody can give me some advice,I've had my newly aquired 1997 xantia td vsx over a pit today to change the drop links and hanbrake cables.While underneath I had a good look at all the spheres and it doesn't look good,I think they've been on from new as they are all thick with rust plus with engine running the rear end is quite hard to push down and the nearside front is harder than the offside.
I've decided to change all 8, is it ok to do them all at once(after dropping suspension and releasing bleed screw or is there a set order I need to follow?.I read on other threads that it is essential to lubricate the new seals,are there any other problems to be wary of?
Any advice will be gratefully recieved.
Cheers
Jason

Homer · Post by **Homer** » 12 Feb 2004, 01:36

You will need to 'crack' (loosen) the rears (the ones on each suspension strut) with the system pressurised and the suspension on the highest setting. Obviously with something to prevent the car dropping on your head. If you try to do it with the system depresurised you run the risk of twisting the while suspension strut round and snapping the pipe off. Even with all the weight of the car against them they can be a pig to shift. A pit would certainly help with access.
Then drop suspension, release bleed screw, leave engine running for a little while to make sure all the pressure is out.

stevieboy1 · Post by **stevieboy1** » 12 Feb 2004, 03:36

I changed mine at the weekend, no problems at all. Took less than 2 hours to do 6 and clean filter and tank. The only thing i found was the new rubber seals wouldn't fit, so reused the old ones ( they don't leak so seams OK). not sure about order as i only had 6. I started at the back and worked forward.
I did make myself a removal tool from an idea off here, i used a length of 1"x1" box, some M12 threaded bar and a couple of nuts. Bent the threaded bar around a new sphere and drilled 2 holes in the box so that the now u shape threaded bar went through. Just tigthen up the nuts and undo the sphere, easy. [8D]

Post by **philhoward** » 12 Feb 2004, 03:45

I cheated....took the Xantia today to Westroen in Manchester. 8 recon spheres fitted in an hour and a half; £200 all inc!
She floats again!
Going back to my old problem of "is my hydractive working?"...Yes it does--now! Now leaving the switch in the ON mode...more fun round corners!

myheadhurts · Post by **myheadhurts** » 12 Feb 2004, 23:41

Thanks for the tips guys,I did consider taking car to the local citroen specialist but the robbing get wants £32+vat per sphere and as I dont fancy shelling out 300 quid it looks like I'm off to gsf and doing it myself-no doubt probably needing a trip to casualty sometime during the job!!
The things you have to do to avoid going shopping with the wife on a weekend.