There is a fair amount of thread to unscrew before the sphere is fully disengaged, so you could undo it a few turns without any problem. That should allow any LHM trapped behind a split diaphragm to escape before complete removal.
Now using '00 Xantia LX HDI, pov spec
My past Citroens :-
'00 Xantia SX HDI, now dead due to accident
'99 Xantia HDI 110 Exclusive, RIP
'97 Xantia TD SX
'96 Xantia TD LX
'96 ZX TD
'89 BX TD
'88 AX GT
'79 CX2400 Pallas (scrapped )
& a couple of Peugeots !
The only reasoe there would still be pressure in the sphere after removal is if they are "blown" ie the diaphragm has gone.
I speak from experience on that one....
It shoots a jet of Lhm for quite a while!
Generally speaking once a sphere has been "cracked" and the suspension lowered/depressurised it should undo relatively easily, however if it continues to be very tight and you need to use a tool to undo it beyond one full turn it almost certainly has some residual pressure behind it. If that's the case continue to undo it slowly until LHM starts spraying out, once that stops it will undo by hand. Obviously strategically placing a large bowl will help reduce the mess.
You're not a proper Citroen owner unless you've had a shower of LHM
25 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk
23 BMW iX3 M Sport Pro
23 Jeep Avenger
13 Ram 1500 Hemi
06 C3 Desire 1.4
72 DS 21 EFi Pallas BVH
