Confession time – changing the rear spheres I’ve bust the pipe to the anti-sink sphere. Needed to get the suspension up to move the car so welded the end of the pipe to seal it. Hydraulics wise everything seems to work although the back now sinks down when parked like my old BX did.
Is there any reason why I shouldn’t use the car while I get a replacement pipe? I’m confident the seal is 100%, so its down to whether using it without the Anti-sink sphere could damage or cause problems with the rest of the system.
Regards
Rory
Is this Sensible? Xantia
Moderator: RichardW
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rory_perrett
- Posts: 715
- Joined: 05 Nov 2001, 19:18
- Location: Leeds, Yorkshire
- My Cars: Xantia Exclusive 110Hdi Estate 1999
- x 1
Hi Rory -
Sh!t happens - even for the best - no reason to confess [8)]
I'm a bit worried where exactly you welded the pipe ?
If the welding was close to the antisink valve itself - then chances are you have permanently disturbed the valve's function - meaning it won't work anymore - leaving you with a "standard" rear sinking hydraulic Citroen.
However if the pipe was welded close to the antisink mount base - then there should be no worries to function - except for the pipe repair itself.
It's the antisink valve - not the sphere - that's responsible for keeping up the rear suspension when car is left parked.
When you're driving the car with normal system pressure present - then all piping at rear suspension - including for the anti-sink sphere - is pressurised. This means a pipe or seal bursting here - will make the LHM gushing out - untill the reservoir is emptied out - and then the pump no longer provides adequate pressure to keep the safety valve open.
At this point the suspension supply pressure is lost - then the antisink valve (should) close - leaving the rear in whatever height is has.
Also the front suspension no longer responds to any needs for correcting to a higher height - and will most likely stay in a bit lower height.
As the safety valve closes - you're left with the safety spare pressure in the accumulator sphere - for the front brakes. Depending on the accu sphere condition - it will have spare pressure enough for approx 15-30 "normal" brake pedal actions.
The servo steering will however be lost completely - as this pressure is taken directly from the pump (and the now emptied reservoir) - no matter the 1-port or 2-port pump servo system fitted. You're then left with a sudden scaringly heavy steering.
I'm a bit confused - as repairing the pipe should NOT affect anti-sink - unless the valve itself is damaged ?
Sh!t happens - even for the best - no reason to confess [8)]
I'm a bit worried where exactly you welded the pipe ?
If the welding was close to the antisink valve itself - then chances are you have permanently disturbed the valve's function - meaning it won't work anymore - leaving you with a "standard" rear sinking hydraulic Citroen.
However if the pipe was welded close to the antisink mount base - then there should be no worries to function - except for the pipe repair itself.
It's the antisink valve - not the sphere - that's responsible for keeping up the rear suspension when car is left parked.
When you're driving the car with normal system pressure present - then all piping at rear suspension - including for the anti-sink sphere - is pressurised. This means a pipe or seal bursting here - will make the LHM gushing out - untill the reservoir is emptied out - and then the pump no longer provides adequate pressure to keep the safety valve open.
At this point the suspension supply pressure is lost - then the antisink valve (should) close - leaving the rear in whatever height is has.
Also the front suspension no longer responds to any needs for correcting to a higher height - and will most likely stay in a bit lower height.
As the safety valve closes - you're left with the safety spare pressure in the accumulator sphere - for the front brakes. Depending on the accu sphere condition - it will have spare pressure enough for approx 15-30 "normal" brake pedal actions.
The servo steering will however be lost completely - as this pressure is taken directly from the pump (and the now emptied reservoir) - no matter the 1-port or 2-port pump servo system fitted. You're then left with a sudden scaringly heavy steering.
I'm a bit confused - as repairing the pipe should NOT affect anti-sink - unless the valve itself is damaged ?
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by AndersDK</i>
I'm a bit confused - as repairing the pipe should NOT affect anti-sink - unless the valve itself is damaged ?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
I think Rory means he has snapped the pipe to the anti-sink sphere off, so he's welded the end of it closed so its now a 'dead-end'.
The anti-sink sphere is not connected to the rest of the system anymore, so its like driving with a completely 'flat' a-s sphere.
I did exactly the same thing the first time I changed an anti-sink sphere, nothing to be ashamed of [:I][;)]
I even thought of leaving it like that permanently, I prefer Citroens to sink down when parked - its half the fun of owning one!
Nick
I'm a bit confused - as repairing the pipe should NOT affect anti-sink - unless the valve itself is damaged ?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
I think Rory means he has snapped the pipe to the anti-sink sphere off, so he's welded the end of it closed so its now a 'dead-end'.
The anti-sink sphere is not connected to the rest of the system anymore, so its like driving with a completely 'flat' a-s sphere.
I did exactly the same thing the first time I changed an anti-sink sphere, nothing to be ashamed of [:I][;)]
I even thought of leaving it like that permanently, I prefer Citroens to sink down when parked - its half the fun of owning one!
Nick
-
rory_perrett
- Posts: 715
- Joined: 05 Nov 2001, 19:18
- Location: Leeds, Yorkshire
- My Cars: Xantia Exclusive 110Hdi Estate 1999
- x 1
Right Rory [8D]
No worries - for either of us then.
I don't think GSF stock the Citroen hydraulic pipes - but lot's of other aftermarket dealers do.
- like http://www.pleiades.uk.com/
- known to post parts all over the UK.
No worries - for either of us then.
I don't think GSF stock the Citroen hydraulic pipes - but lot's of other aftermarket dealers do.
- like http://www.pleiades.uk.com/
- known to post parts all over the UK.
This pipe is a little harder to find than some of the other suspension pipes as its a larger diameter.
I tried a few small local Citroen specialists and they all told me they don't stock this size pipe, or have the flaring tool for it.
I'm sure Pleiades will be able to help you though, as Anders suggests.
I was incredibly lucky, as my neighbour (a self employed mechanic) had a complete Xantia rear suspension left over in his garden, so he let me take the pipe off that.
Nick
I tried a few small local Citroen specialists and they all told me they don't stock this size pipe, or have the flaring tool for it.
I'm sure Pleiades will be able to help you though, as Anders suggests.
I was incredibly lucky, as my neighbour (a self employed mechanic) had a complete Xantia rear suspension left over in his garden, so he let me take the pipe off that.
Nick
Rory,
Where in the country are you? If you're near Scotland I have the full pipe making kit and all the pipe sizes.
If not, and you can identify the size, just tell me the length you need, I'll make one up and send it to you. Just use the old one as a guide to where to make the bends, but it's not usually critical.
There are only three sizes: 3.5mm, 4.5mm and 6.5mm (ignoring the rather large piping, circa 10mm used on Hydractive suspension). All sizes are outside diameters.
Let me know if I can help.
Cheers
noz
Where in the country are you? If you're near Scotland I have the full pipe making kit and all the pipe sizes.
If not, and you can identify the size, just tell me the length you need, I'll make one up and send it to you. Just use the old one as a guide to where to make the bends, but it's not usually critical.
There are only three sizes: 3.5mm, 4.5mm and 6.5mm (ignoring the rather large piping, circa 10mm used on Hydractive suspension). All sizes are outside diameters.
Let me know if I can help.
Cheers
noz