Finally I got around to replacing all spheres in my 1996 Xantia SX. All went smoothly until I attempted to unscrew the anti-sink sphere.
I put the sphere tool on and applied a bit of pressure. The sphere appeared to unscrew, so I took the tool off and started to unscrew it by hand. Anyway, I thought I was unscrewing it - the sphere actually turned about 360 degrees before I realised that the housing holding the sphere was also turning.
Is it likely that I damaged something?
How to take this sphere off?
Any help would be appreciated.
PS
Surprisingly, the service history shows that all spheres were replaced at some time in the past, except for the anti-sink sphere. Perhaps the previous owner (or mechanic) encountered the same problem and decided not to replace it.
Cheers,
GB
How to remove Xantia anti-sink sphere?
Moderator: RichardW
-
- Posts: 165
- Joined: 27 Jul 2006, 08:11
How to remove Xantia anti-sink sphere?
05 C5 VTR 2.0 HDI
115k
115k
-
- Posts: 1626
- Joined: 26 Feb 2004, 23:21
You have to be careful with these as they don't connect like the other spheres, there is a small diameter pipe that connects into the centre similar to a brake caliper connection. If you unscrew the sphere normally you risk damaging the pipe. You may already be aware of this but I thought it was worth mentioning.
When I did mine I removed the pipe and just unscrewed it from the bracket, it was extremely tight though, probably the tightest of all but the bracket seem to take the abuse.
When I did mine I removed the pipe and just unscrewed it from the bracket, it was extremely tight though, probably the tightest of all but the bracket seem to take the abuse.
It infuriates me to be wrong when I know I'm right
Lexia ponce
http://perception.dyndns.biz/~avengineering/index.htm
Lexia ponce
http://perception.dyndns.biz/~avengineering/index.htm
-
- Posts: 165
- Joined: 27 Jul 2006, 08:11
Thanks mate, I didn't know about the pipe. I checked under the car this morning, no LHM leaks so hopefully everything is OK.Stempy wrote: there is a small diameter pipe that connects into the centre similar to a brake caliper connection. If you unscrew the sphere normally you risk damaging the pipe. You may already be aware of this but I thought it was worth mentioning.
Do I need any special tools to remove this pipe or would a normal spanner do?
Cheers,
GB
05 C5 VTR 2.0 HDI
115k
115k
-
- Posts: 803
- Joined: 31 Oct 2001, 02:36
Ideally use a brake 'pipe spanner' (ring spanner with a slot to let it slide over the pipe) to avoid rounding the corners off the 'nut'.GB wrote:Do I need any special tools to remove this pipe or would a normal spanner do?
As far as the pipe is concerned, check that you haven't twisted it and effectively sealed it off so that whilst it doesn't leak, you haven't also prevented fluid from flowing through it.
Berlingo Multispace 05 1.6 HDI
Picasso 02 HDI SX
Xantia 97 TD VSX
Xantia 96 Activa
Picasso 02 HDI SX
Xantia 97 TD VSX
Xantia 96 Activa
-
- Posts: 6060
- Joined: 21 Feb 2003, 04:56
- x 1
Any quality tool to grip on the 8mm hexagonal union nut.
Best tool is a hexagonal (NOT a 12edge) 8mm socket with a cut-thru slit for the socket to slide over the 3.5mm piping. Then using a molegrip or similar to turn the socket.
This socket is BTW a handy helper for those union nuts everywhere you just know will round off if you try just a bit harder
With pipe disconnected sphere can be attacked ( )
Best tool is a hexagonal (NOT a 12edge) 8mm socket with a cut-thru slit for the socket to slide over the 3.5mm piping. Then using a molegrip or similar to turn the socket.
This socket is BTW a handy helper for those union nuts everywhere you just know will round off if you try just a bit harder
With pipe disconnected sphere can be attacked ( )
Anders (DK) - '90 BX16Image
-
- Posts: 1047
- Joined: 11 Feb 2004, 01:28
-
- Posts: 622
- Joined: 22 Sep 2003, 18:06
Hi Guys,
I've found the only way to undo any hydraulic union on my CX (which has lived in the salty, soggy UK early in it's life) is ... Cut the line off and use vice grips on the line fitting
Either that or you need to trash your tools like I have ... ie:
Take an 8mm single hex kingchrome socket ... weld it into a useless imperial ring spanner, cut a slot in the socket with a drop saw, lop the "ratchet" end of the socket offand grind it all flat...
You then end up with a really ugly spanner that can undo almost all un-rounded hydraulic fittings
seeya,
Shane L.
I've found the only way to undo any hydraulic union on my CX (which has lived in the salty, soggy UK early in it's life) is ... Cut the line off and use vice grips on the line fitting
Either that or you need to trash your tools like I have ... ie:
Take an 8mm single hex kingchrome socket ... weld it into a useless imperial ring spanner, cut a slot in the socket with a drop saw, lop the "ratchet" end of the socket offand grind it all flat...
You then end up with a really ugly spanner that can undo almost all un-rounded hydraulic fittings
seeya,
Shane L.
'96 Big BX 2.1TD exclusive slugomatic (aka XM)
'85 CX2500 GTi Turbo Series II (whoo hooo)
'96 Xantia VSX slugomatic (sold !!)
and of course, lots of old Citroens, slowly rusting away in pieces
'85 CX2500 GTi Turbo Series II (whoo hooo)
'96 Xantia VSX slugomatic (sold !!)
and of course, lots of old Citroens, slowly rusting away in pieces
-
- RIP 2010
- Posts: 2542
- Joined: 26 Jan 2001, 15:53
- x 6
That's what I thought; I knoiw mine on my 94 VSX was.reblack68 wrote:Isn't it 9mm?
I have a set of open ended ring spanners that end up a bit like what Shane was talking about only mine are hex and as a result don't tend to round off the nut which is possibly a more practical option if you don't have access to welders and such. I used a mirror and spotlight to originally get my spanner on it correctly in the first instance.
Alan S
RIP Sept 19th 2008.
She said "Put the cat out" She didn't mention it was on fire!!
She said "Put the cat out" She didn't mention it was on fire!!
-
- Posts: 449
- Joined: 28 Sep 2003, 11:08
What about using these spanners http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/Flare-Nut- ... tegory=700
Neil
Now Citrtoenless
Now Citrtoenless
-
- RIP 2010
- Posts: 2542
- Joined: 26 Jan 2001, 15:53
- x 6
-
- Posts: 6060
- Joined: 21 Feb 2003, 04:56
- x 1
-
- Posts: 165
- Joined: 27 Jul 2006, 08:11
Well, I had another look at the anti-sink sphere today: the 3.5mm pipe is actually twisted and needs to be replaced.
What length of 3.5mm pipe do I need to buy (I only want to replace the pipe that goes into the anti-sink sphere). Do I need to buy any washers or any other parts that need replacing with this pipe?
Cheers,
GB
What length of 3.5mm pipe do I need to buy (I only want to replace the pipe that goes into the anti-sink sphere). Do I need to buy any washers or any other parts that need replacing with this pipe?
Cheers,
GB
05 C5 VTR 2.0 HDI
115k
115k
-
- Posts: 165
- Joined: 27 Jul 2006, 08:11
-
- Posts: 360
- Joined: 05 Jan 2002, 01:10
Centre sphere Pipe
Hi GB I am about to order stuff from GSF I have pipe and flaring tool but need some more of the Nuts that hold the pipe on. If you can tell me how long the pipe needs to be I can make you one for about a tenner plus postage
Pete
________
California Dispensary
Pete
________
California Dispensary
Last edited by ghostrider on 12 Aug 2011, 01:58, edited 1 time in total.
-
- Posts: 165
- Joined: 27 Jul 2006, 08:11
Re: Centre sphere Pipe
Pete,ghostrider wrote:Hi GB I am about to order stuff from GSF I have pipe and flaring tool but need some more of the Nuts that hold the pipe on. If you can tell me how long the pipe needs to be I can make you one for about a tenner plus postage
Pete
Thanks mate! Paypal?
Just need to find out how long the pipe needs to be - I should get a chance to have a look under the car tomorrow afternoon, unless somebody on this forum knows the approximate required lenght.
Anyone?
Cheers,
GB
05 C5 VTR 2.0 HDI
115k
115k