Sphere Check & Suspension Questions 1999 Xantia Break 2.0i 16V

This is the Forum for all your Citroen Technical Questions, Problems or Advice.

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
larsy93
Posts: 7
Joined: 15 Jun 2020, 18:43
Location: Sweden
My Cars: Xantia Break 2.0i 16v 1999
x 3

Sphere Check & Suspension Questions 1999 Xantia Break 2.0i 16V

Post by larsy93 »

Vin number VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff] let me know if u need full VIN to check

The markings on the front spheres I have been able to see with a quick look is "EH" "M13" "50" "01" "96199318" "8-279-" What do all these markings mean?

There is no Sports button that I can see inside the car except for an "S" at the automatic gearbox settings, in front of the level control in the middle is a key for tuning on or off the passenger airbag no sport thingy.

The suspension is very hard on front right side. almost rock solid very little travel. Considering replacing both front spheres, could this be the issue, or might it be something else? What spheres do I need for the front? A list with all different spheres for my car would be even better if I need to change some other sphere in the future.

Also when going into "service low" most of the time I have to start driving for the rear to come back up. the front rises and falls quickly. The STOP light does not come on when it is changing levels while stationary. It does come on when the rear is rising while driving to get back into normal height tho.

The car has been driven 130k km
User avatar
white exec
Moderating Team
Posts: 7445
Joined: 21 Dec 2015, 12:46
Location: Sayalonga, Malaga, Spain
My Cars: 1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive hatch RHD
1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: Sphere Check & Suspension Questions 1999 Xantia Break 2.0i 16V

Post by white exec »

Correct spheres for your car are as follows.
Car is non-Hydractive.

Volume cc / Pressure bars / Damper orifice diameter mm (-- = no damper)
Front wheel spheres: 400/55/1.5, or 450/50/1.5
Rear wheel spheres: 400/40/1.25
Main accumulator sphere (at the front): 400/62/--
SC/MAC ('anti-sink') sphere (at the rear, if fitted): 400/50/-- (special threaded sphere)

Re the markings, can identify
50 = gas pressure, bars
96199318 = Citroen's manufacturing number (not a part number)
Unsure about the others

Hope helpful.

STOP light may/may not light when moving the height lever from lowest to higher. Depends how quickly the HPP pump can deliver the required fluid. Common for it to appear when engine cold, and at idle.

Sphere life is normally 3 years or so for classic round spheres.
Chris
larsy93
Posts: 7
Joined: 15 Jun 2020, 18:43
Location: Sweden
My Cars: Xantia Break 2.0i 16v 1999
x 3

Re: Sphere Check & Suspension Questions 1999 Xantia Break 2.0i 16V

Post by larsy93 »

white exec wrote: 15 Jun 2020, 21:05 Front wheel spheres: 400/55/1.5, or 450/50/1.5
What is the difference between these ones and which should I choose? Also is there any OEM part numbers for all the spheres listed above to find the correct ones?

This one should fit the front I'm guessing https://web.tecalliance.net/tae/en/part ... roups:1718

Edit: Wait a minute maybe its these ones actually the first link says they are for hydractive https://web.tecalliance.net/tae/en/part ... roups:1718
User avatar
white exec
Moderating Team
Posts: 7445
Joined: 21 Dec 2015, 12:46
Location: Sayalonga, Malaga, Spain
My Cars: 1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive hatch RHD
1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: Sphere Check & Suspension Questions 1999 Xantia Break 2.0i 16V

Post by white exec »

We can post the list of current Citroen part numbers for the spheres, but will need to access ServiceBox for that info.

You'll need to make a donation to the Forum first. Details below...
A response to your question by a forum admin will require detailed vehicle information that requires you to have made a current contribution to the Forum.
Donate

Further Information
Both 400/55/1.5 and 450/50/1.5 spheres are listed for the front of the non-Hydractive Xantia Estate.
The 400 sphere has a membrane (Desmopan or Urepan) suited to temperate/cold climates.
The 450 sphere has the multi-layer (multicouche) membrane, more suited to temperate/hot climates, and hotter under-bonnet conditions.
Chris
User avatar
xantia_v6
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 9052
Joined: 09 Nov 2005, 22:03
Location: France or NewZealand
Lexia Available: Yes
My Cars: -
1997 Citroen Xantia V6 (France)
1999 Citroen XM V6 ES9 (France)
2011 Peugeot 308 CC THP 155 (NZ)
1975 Jaguar XJ-S pre-HE (NZ)
x 825

Re: Sphere Check & Suspension Questions 1999 Xantia Break 2.0i 16V

Post by xantia_v6 »

Actually, in this case, I think that 96199318 is the actual Citroen part number.
User avatar
white exec
Moderating Team
Posts: 7445
Joined: 21 Dec 2015, 12:46
Location: Sayalonga, Malaga, Spain
My Cars: 1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive hatch RHD
1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: Sphere Check & Suspension Questions 1999 Xantia Break 2.0i 16V

Post by white exec »

xantia_v6 wrote: 16 Jun 2020, 03:59 Actually, in this case, I think that 96199318 is the actual Citroen part number.
The Citroen mechanics' booklets caution that the 96... sphere numbers are not Part numbers.
Chris
Armidillo
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 346
Joined: 28 Apr 2020, 02:18
Location: Armidale, NSW, Australia
Lexia Available: Yes
My Cars: 605 V6 SII
406 D9 SV
Xantia SX wagon SII
Xantia Activa TCT (unregistered)
x 217

Re: Sphere Check & Suspension Questions 1999 Xantia Break 2.0i 16V

Post by Armidillo »

Well people have been using those numbers to identify spheres for quite a while (see post 5)!

viewtopic.php?t=9734
larsy93
Posts: 7
Joined: 15 Jun 2020, 18:43
Location: Sweden
My Cars: Xantia Break 2.0i 16v 1999
x 3

Re: Sphere Check & Suspension Questions 1999 Xantia Break 2.0i 16V

Post by larsy93 »

Ok, last question for now is, in normal ride height the "pump" ticks every 5 seconds, could this also be caused by the faulty front right sphere or is some other sphere at fault here? What are the results of this ticking, worsened comfort, strain on the pump?
User avatar
white exec
Moderating Team
Posts: 7445
Joined: 21 Dec 2015, 12:46
Location: Sayalonga, Malaga, Spain
My Cars: 1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive hatch RHD
1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: Sphere Check & Suspension Questions 1999 Xantia Break 2.0i 16V

Post by white exec »

Armidillo wrote: 16 Jun 2020, 09:13 Well people have been using those numbers to identify spheres for quite a while (see post 5)!
viewtopic.php?t=9734
That number is a Citroen manufacturing product code, and not a part re-order code.
From the Private Cars mechanics' booklets...
Sphere mfg numbers.JPG
Annoyingly similar in format to many replacement part numbers, so easily mistaken.
Chris
User avatar
white exec
Moderating Team
Posts: 7445
Joined: 21 Dec 2015, 12:46
Location: Sayalonga, Malaga, Spain
My Cars: 1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive hatch RHD
1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: Sphere Check & Suspension Questions 1999 Xantia Break 2.0i 16V

Post by white exec »

Rapid ticking of the pump normally suggests that the Accumulator sphere (400/62/--) on the main pressure regulator is down on gas pressure. The acc sphere stores pressure for the whole system, to avoid the pump having to work hard all of the time. With car stationary and idling, there shouldn't be more than one click every minute or so.
Chris
larsy93
Posts: 7
Joined: 15 Jun 2020, 18:43
Location: Sweden
My Cars: Xantia Break 2.0i 16v 1999
x 3

Re: Sphere Check & Suspension Questions 1999 Xantia Break 2.0i 16V

Post by larsy93 »

white exec wrote: 16 Jun 2020, 10:50 Rapid ticking of the pump normally suggests that the Accumulator sphere (400/62/--) on the main pressure regulator is down on gas pressure. The acc sphere stores pressure for the whole system, to avoid the pump having to work hard all of the time. With car stationary and idling, there shouldn't be more than one click every minute or so.
I see so it puts unnecessary stress on the pump, but does it affect the "ride quality"? Reason asking is I'm planning on getting a smooth ride by doing only the fronts this month or the next, and then doing the rest of the spheres within a year.
User avatar
white exec
Moderating Team
Posts: 7445
Joined: 21 Dec 2015, 12:46
Location: Sayalonga, Malaga, Spain
My Cars: 1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive hatch RHD
1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: Sphere Check & Suspension Questions 1999 Xantia Break 2.0i 16V

Post by white exec »

It shouldn't be affecting ride quality. With an accumulator lacking storage pressure (provided by the gas in the sphere), the pump will just cut in more often than it should. System pressure should still be up to par, so brakes, steering and ride will not be affected.

If ride is harsh/lumpy on a non-Hydractive car, this will be down solely down to the corner spheres.
Make sure you get exactly the right ones, correct Volume / Pressure / Damping, as detailed in the earlier post.
Chris
larsy93
Posts: 7
Joined: 15 Jun 2020, 18:43
Location: Sweden
My Cars: Xantia Break 2.0i 16v 1999
x 3

Re: Sphere Check & Suspension Questions 1999 Xantia Break 2.0i 16V

Post by larsy93 »

Alright, any opinions on the 70 bar ones that were fitted on some Xantias at the front or should I stick to the 400/55/1.5 "95 666 857"?
User avatar
white exec
Moderating Team
Posts: 7445
Joined: 21 Dec 2015, 12:46
Location: Sayalonga, Malaga, Spain
My Cars: 1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive hatch RHD
1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: Sphere Check & Suspension Questions 1999 Xantia Break 2.0i 16V

Post by white exec »

Stick with the 400/55/1.5 spheres for your car.

70 bar front spheres were used on Hydractive V6's and on XM. For Hydractive cars, the wheel spheres provide only Firm ride, with the additional centre spheres, when they switch in, providing the Normal (Soft) ride.

It is possible to experiment with spheres from other cars, but this can be an expensive game, with the ride often turning out less good than factory original. Higher gas pressures were used for heavier engines, and to provide extra amounts of springing movement. The last of the three figures is the damper orifice diameter, and this affects the car's response to cornering, roll, acceleration and hard braking on non-HA models. Ride can become either too hard, or 'boat-like' and wallowy.

If you want a fuller description of how it all works, here's a couple of good reads:

viewtopic.php?p=590278#p590278
Mechanics' reference booklet, for Xantia/XM/Synergie
Go to Xantia S2, and hit the red '2001' to download the pdf booklet, and see printed page 262 onwards.

"The Citroen Technical Guide"
http://citroen.tramontana.co.hu/en/the- ... ical-guide
Download the pdf.
Great bedtime reading!
Chris
larsy93
Posts: 7
Joined: 15 Jun 2020, 18:43
Location: Sweden
My Cars: Xantia Break 2.0i 16v 1999
x 3

Re: Sphere Check & Suspension Questions 1999 Xantia Break 2.0i 16V

Post by larsy93 »

Ordered 2 new front spheres, 2 new rear spheres aswell as the acumulator sphere so everything except the anti sink sphere, a tool like this one(see picture) aswell as 5 liters of LHM+ Fluid, this will be very interesting, I think my car will be going through quite the transformation in terms of comfort and stability, thanks for all the help I will report back with results, here have a picture of my Xantia aswell that I took earlier today :)

Image
Image
Post Reply