Removing rear spheres on a Xantia?

[HDI]

Can someone remind me of the procedure for removing the rear spheres on a xantia? Just the 2 suspension spheres on a basic LX model. I recall that the rams go loose if all the pressure is relieved, which means the pipes get stressed when twisting the spheres free.

[Hell Razor5543]

True. Making sure to set up axle stands (so if she does drop it is not far), get her to full height, and then get the spheres to turn about 1/8th (I have had to use a hammer and chisel to get them started). That way they are now loose enough so that you can now (with the pressure off) undo the spheres.

[xantia_v6]

1. Suspension high
2. Car on axle stands
3. Loosen spheres
4. Suspension to low (with engine running)
5. Wait a couple of minutes
6. Engine off
7. Undo spheres
8. New spheres on
9. Suspension to high
10. Check for leaks
11. Car on ground
12. Suspension to normal

[HDI]

So no need to loosen the pressure relief bolt on the regulator?

[Hell Razor5543]

Not until you have initially cracked the rear spheres loose. Then you do release that pressure relief bolt by a turn or so.

[HDI]

Copy that, cheers guys.

[elma]

I find it useful to wedge a pry bar between the mount and the car to stop the sphere mount from rotating. Been a while since I was under a Xantia but theres a nice little groove in the sphere mount that seems to have been made for this.

[CitroJim]

So no need to loosen the pressure relief bolt on the regulator?

I never do when changing spheres other than the accumulator. Comes of running V6s where the bleed screw is almost inaccessible anyway...

As soon as the sphere is cracked any remaining pressure will soon dissipate...

[Hell Razor5543]

And, if a sphere has ruptured, it will vent LHM as far as it can (and that can be several meters).

[CitroJim]

And, if a sphere has ruptured, it will vent LHM as far as it can (and that can be several meters).

Yes indeed and is quite spectacular to see It will vent for quite some time too..

It takes on the appearance of a water pistol being quite furiously fired!

[RichardW]

And if you're lucky it won't rip a big lump out of the rear strut, opening up a whole world of pain....

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... 11&t=44218

[Hell Razor5543]

True, and that can also happen on a C5 strut (it has happened on one of mine, necessitating a replacement strut).

[Mandrake]

0. Spray plenty of penetrating lubricant around the sphere/cylinder junction a few hours before attempting to remove them.

1. Suspension high
2. Car on axle stands
3. Loosen spheres
4. Suspension to low (with engine running)
5. Wait a couple of minutes
6. Engine off
7. Undo spheres
8. New spheres on
9. Suspension to high
10. Check for leaks
11. Car on ground
12. Suspension to normal

[Stickyfinger]

Wire brush all the crap away from the join Before you remove them.
And once you have replaced them, paint a thick coating of Waxoil (applied cold and with a small brush) all around the join.

[HDI]

I've done them before but it's been a while. Dead spheres spraying LHM is a familiar sight, such fun. The ones in question are being utter pigs though, they just will not loosen! I used enough force to bend the steel bracket around the rear of the ram, and it was distorting the pipe more than I was prepared to risk. So it'll be on a 2 post lift next week so I can remove the pipes to avoid breaking them, and lock the rams in place so that biblical force can be applied to the spheres!