leaking front sphear

goodier · Unread post by **goodier** » 18 May 2004, 19:03

the front sphear on my 1996 xantia 19td is leaking quite badly
is this a big job the whole unit is wet and dripping.
any info on how to do this would be apreciated
and what would the parts cost

jeremy · Unread post by **jeremy** » 18 May 2004, 19:21

I expect that the leak is between the base of the sphere and its mount in which case if the sphere is still good then a new square rubber seal may do the job. I have been provided with 'O' rings when I bought some re-gassed spheres (a waste of money - more expensive and only lasted a year) but to be fair the 'O' rings didn't leak.
I wonder if the sphere has gone flat and the rapid pressure changes due to what amounts to no suspension is forcing LHM out of the joint.
Jeremy

goodier · Unread post by **goodier** » 18 May 2004, 20:27

thanks mate can i renew the whole valve and sphear and is this a big job, ok a engine re builds but not to sure on this stuff

JohnD · Unread post by **JohnD** » 18 May 2004, 23:22

If the leak is coming from the screwed thread on the sphere, it's likely to be the rubber seal that's damaged. To replace the spheres (it's as well to do both), unscrew them a quarter of a turn, put the suspension to the lowest level, undo the valve near to the accumulator only a half turn, then screw off the spheres. To refit, put the square rubber seals in the housings and screw on the new spheres. Tighten the air release screw and start the engine. Move the height lever a few times from low to high.