renewed spheres

axford · Unread post by **axford** » 30 Sep 2011, 10:57

Hi ,i recently renewed my spheres on my C5 with the correct ones from the dealers because 2 were leaking. I have the fluid up to the right level and everything works great now - no sinking overnight and no leaks.
BUT the ride is now atrocious.It wobbles all over and going over a match stick feels like a pot hole. Whats gone wrong - have I forgotten to do something ?

HDI · Unread post by **HDI** » 30 Sep 2011, 11:01

Thats interesting, I'm having the same problem with my Xantia after replacing all spheres. Large undulations are fine but any sharp bumps, ridges, etc set your teeth on edge !

XantiaDaveEire · Unread post by **XantiaDaveEire** » 30 Sep 2011, 12:20

HDI wrote:Thats interesting, I'm having the same problem with my Xantia after replacing all spheres. Large undulations are fine but any sharp bumps, ridges, etc set your teeth on edge !

Mines the same

dnsey · Unread post by **dnsey** » 30 Sep 2011, 16:49

Air in the system?
Easy to eliminate via Citrobics / bleeding on a Xantia, but a bit harder on a C5.

XantiaDaveEire · Unread post by **XantiaDaveEire** » 30 Sep 2011, 16:51

Already tried it

Unread post by **xantia_v6** » 30 Sep 2011, 20:50

It could be air continuously entering the system through a split suction hose or pump body.

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 30 Sep 2011, 23:42

That's sort of what I was thinking about, except air itself in the LHM is quite compressible - so leads to extra sponginess in the ride.

However, air on the suction side might mean the pump is just making enough pressure to turn the pressure safety switch off but not enough to cope with leakback.

A defective regulator is part B of system problems; too low a stored pressure and it again may be dropping the bundle on you. This really needs testing with a pressure gauge set. A proper Citroën indy might be one option here, otherwise a good gauge setup made by DIY-ing.

Hydractive spheres on a non-HA system will harshen the ride. Testing orifices with a drill index is one checking method; the correct damper numbers I can't remember where are listed (other than etched on the sphere nose).

Getting back to pressures as supplied - I NEVER trust them, and while spheres might be fitted urgently, they are also checked at the first oportunity!

atr · Unread post by **atr** » 01 Oct 2011, 06:31

Addo
Could you please describe what is needed to carry out the test you've mentioned? how to make the pressure gauge, where to connect it and what are the correct values?
Thnx.

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 01 Oct 2011, 08:17

Dean's got some good pictures/videos of his one in action. It's either on here or club-xm. I've bought a gauge and have spare bits of tubing, haven't yet brazed it all up.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 01 Oct 2011, 08:48

One of thse will do the job...

And in use on an Activa..

Unread post by **xantia_v6** » 01 Oct 2011, 16:14

addo wrote:That's sort of what I was thinking about, except air itself in the LHM is quite compressible - so leads to extra sponginess in the ride.

Actually I think not. I have read here (and I think I have seen the effect) that air in the LHM makes the ride (subjectively) harsher. I think it depends where it is relative to the damper element.

atr · Unread post by **atr** » 01 Oct 2011, 16:37

CitroJim
Thanx for the pics. if I was able to see right, the manometer is up to 200Bar. could you please tell us where to connect it (mine is not HA) and what should be the right reading/s?