C5 H3+ and comfort spheres

[bencowell]

If I replaced just the centre sphere with a comfort sphere, would I be right in thinking that the ride would be softer in soft mode but it would make no difference in hard mode?

I always thought the C5 with H3+ should be a bit softer in soft mode. The first time I drove a H3+ C5 hard the difference was noticeable.

Thanks
Ben

[myglaren]

If it follows the Xantia/Xm Hydractive pattern then I would agree that that would be what happens.

[DickieG]

Is there such a thing as comfort sphere's for the centre one? If they are anything like Xantia ones (I think they are other than being oval) the centre sphere doesn't have any restriction on fluid moving in and out of the sphere.

On Xanita's the trick is to fit non Hydractive spheres to a Hydractive car so that you have a softer ride then when it switches into hard mode the ride is still softer as per a non Hydractive one. My extra trick is that whenever carrying a load or getting a wiggle on along undulating roads is to switch the suspension into firm mode to avoid unnecessary undulations in the suspension movement so comfort/control is still maintained. In your instance I'd fit non Hydractive 3+ C5 spheres to the struts of the car.

[bencowell]

I had new spheres fitted to the C5, bought from AEP Direct (Part numbers SSC5COMFRH and SSC544RQ). I couldn't undo the spheres myself so took the car to M&M near Holmfirth, Huddersfield who had a very big version of a plumbers wrench which did the trick.

First impressions are very good. The knocking noise has now gone and the ride is just beautiful again.

The car doesn't bottom out on big bumps and the sport mode makes a noticeable change to the damping. Handling and cornering is still good, if not slightly better as the car no longer hops on rough corners. (It's never going to corner like an Activa though!).

Highly recommended.

Will see you all at Wetherby in May and Harrogate in August!
Ben

[viorelovidiu]

Hi bencowell, how are the latest impressions using that combination of spheres?
I have to replace spheres on front by following the same idea as yours. softer in comfort mode without any change in sport mode. You gave here two part numbers SSC5COMFRH and SSC544RQ - those are part numbers only for rear side and saloon version. Have you replace something on front? Does not floating more on rear than front if you have standard spheres?

I was thinking by replacing only the regulator spheres on both side with softer ones but on IFHS catalog are the same part numbers for both version standard and comfort...

Thank you!

[Peter.N.]

The centre sphere on all the hydractive's I have had has been virtually an accumulator sphere with no damping, that is the one responsible for the soft ride but if you want to make it softer you need to change the outer spheres.

Is M&M still going? I used to get my CX spares from them.

Peter

[Citroenmad]

Im sure Ben has only had the rear spheres changed, he says the ride is much improved, no doubt he will be along at some point

M&M is still going Peter, there is a CCC meeting there every year, its usually a good turn out and very enjoyable too.

[Peter.N.]

In the days when I was working I used to go up north on business and call in there for bits on the way back, I was driving a CX25 DTR Turbo Safari in those days and they used to break loads of CXs, they did some new spares as well. One day I went in and they had just brought a BX in on the back of a lorry, I did a double take on the reg, it was only one digit removed to mine, I think mine was C277MAM and the BX was 276. I arrived once at luchtime when there was nobody to serve me so I went into Holmfirth for some fish and chips and discovered 'Last of the summer wine'.

Peter

[Citroenmad]

It is quite a nice area around there.

I think M&M are more into rebuilding/restoring older cars now, they always have some intersting Citroens kicking about.

[viorelovidiu]

Well, bencowel seems to be hard to find
Last year I`ve been using comfort spheres from IFHS on a simple H3 and I regreted it I left them on rear side and was acceptable but not for her current owner...
So, I`m very sceptical to buy them again for my current H3+, on front I ordered new spheres (standard ones) but on rear... I`m waiting for his opinion and also I`m afraid that car would be unbalanced...

[Citroenmad]

I bought our 2002 C5 2.0HDi 110 SX hatchback (simple H3) from Bencowel, who had fitted it with comfort spheres. I really didn't like the uncontrolled ride quality so swapped it back to normal spheres. However, with the H3+ it might well be different as the hydractive should be able to maintain the control.

I wonder about fitting Xantia spheres with slightly higher pressure than the C5s. Its a shame C5 spheres can not be regassed (easily!) as the way to a better ride is more gas and not a larger damper hole.