Replaced rear spheres... now front ones iffy

WildWayz · Unread post by **WildWayz** » 29 Jun 2004, 00:03

Last monday, I had the rear spheres replaced on my M Reg Xantia, and I noticed when driving the next day that the front doesnt seem as smooth. Well, thursday night I had the stop and hydaulics lights appear, so i topped up the hydraulics with LHM Plus as advised in the manual (raising suspension and filling it until the yellow disc was between the red lines).
On saturday the ride was REALLY bouncy at the front. I checked the spheres and they arent really rusted (a little on them). Could they have gone now too? Or when the backs were changed, do they need re-calibrating?
Thanks
James

Unread post by **user_3150** » 29 Jun 2004, 02:49

I had the same problem recently with the front end being bouncy so after a lot of brilliant advice from people on this site I changed the sphere's myself. It's really easy I changed all 3 front sphere's in about 2 hour's. Now I know what to do I would say it could be done in under 1 hour. Also all 3 sphere's cost less than £70 possibly less than £65 I can't remember. Hope this help's. Please wait for a more knowledgeable member to confirm this before going ahead and doing anything though.

WildWayz · Unread post by **WildWayz** » 29 Jun 2004, 03:30

3 spheres in the front? I only saw 2 under the bonnet

paranoid · Unread post by **paranoid** » 29 Jun 2004, 03:37

One in front of engine/gearbox best accessed from underneath, not as hard as it sounds[:D]

WildWayz · Unread post by **WildWayz** » 29 Jun 2004, 03:59

okie dokie - so best change all 3? If so, i'll get my friend who's a mechanic to change them (I don't have the tools for it).
Thanks peeps

James

Homer · Unread post by **Homer** » 29 Jun 2004, 13:05

The one in front of the engine is the accumulator sphere, not specifically connected to teh front suspension.
If it was a VSX/Exclusive it would have a 3rd sphere behind the engine for the hydractive system.
In your case you probably only need the two.

uhn113x · Unread post by **uhn113x** » 29 Jun 2004, 13:45

James
Can you push the front of the car down a fair way when engine is running? If not, you need spheres. Rust makes no difference at all - they fail because the compressed nitrogen has lost its pressure or the diaphragm has ruptured.
'Recalibrating'? What have they been telling you? [:(]
They are very easy to change - you do not really need any special tools, just a hammer and chisel if you are stuck. Buy from GSF
Also, if the fronts need changing, so, probably will the accumulator, mounted near the front of the engine. If it does, you will hear the regulator clicking every couple of seconds

Unread post by **user_3150** » 30 Jun 2004, 01:53

Phew I was right. The only reason I said about the 3rd "Accumulator" sphere is that it's only £18 from GSF so you might as well do all 3.
Let us know the result if/when you get them done.

WildWayz · Unread post by **WildWayz** » 01 Jul 2004, 00:16

Fronts were replaced and all is smooth again