Height problem after replacing sphere, C5 X7

This is the Forum for all your Citroen Technical Questions, Problems or Advice.
mvts
Posts: 14
Joined: 12 Apr 2023, 22:21
x 1

Height problem after replacing sphere, C5 X7

Unread post by mvts »

Edit: C5 X7, 2015.

I recently replaced one of the front spheres. After that, the car is significantly higher in the front than it was before.
What could be the cause?

Procedure:
1) I depressurize the system using Diagbox
2) Wait 3 minutes
3) Remove the sphere and replace it with a new one.
4) Wipe it clean and start the car
5) The hydraulic pump works and builds up pressure and the image rises.
6) Exercise the car by switching between the lowest and highest position.

But when I put the car in normal position, it is higher in the front than it was before. The rear looks okay.
Last edited by mvts on 24 Sep 2025, 05:09, edited 2 times in total.
User avatar
mickthemaverick
Moderating Team
Posts: 20125
Joined: 11 May 2019, 17:56
x 7778

Re: Height problem after replacing sphere

Unread post by mickthemaverick »

Which car is this on? :)
I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
mvts
Posts: 14
Joined: 12 Apr 2023, 22:21
x 1

Re: Height problem after replacing sphere

Unread post by mvts »

mickthemaverick wrote: 23 Sep 2025, 21:30 Which car is this on? :)
Sorry,
C5 X7, 2015
Kees
Donor 2024
Posts: 562
Joined: 16 Nov 2021, 16:16
x 144

Re: Height problem after replacing sphere, C5 X7

Unread post by Kees »

But also the engine!!2.0 or 3.0?
Left/richt side?
wurlycorner
Donor 2024
Posts: 2194
Joined: 30 Oct 2012, 22:37
x 272

Re: Height problem after replacing sphere, C5 X7

Unread post by wurlycorner »

Is it advisable to replace spheres on one side, rather than in pairs?
I'd have thought just replacing one would be a bad idea because of pressure imbalance one side to the other.
--
Iain

'85 CX GTi Turbo s1 (met. blue)
2x '85 CX GTi Turbo s2 t1 (met. silver & grey)
'88 CX GTi Turbo s2 T2 (met. light blue)
CX DTR T2 Safari (silver)
2x '96 Xantia Activa (Black & met. green)
'01 C5 2.0 HDi LX Estate (Blue)
'11 C5 X7 3.0 V6 Exclusive Tourer
Kees
Donor 2024
Posts: 562
Joined: 16 Nov 2021, 16:16
x 144

Re: Height problem after replacing sphere, C5 X7

Unread post by Kees »

@wurlycorner:
The pressure is always the same in all the spheres at the front and the rear, because in softmode the are connected with each other, but i agree it's better to change both of them.
wurlycorner
Donor 2024
Posts: 2194
Joined: 30 Oct 2012, 22:37
x 272

Re: Height problem after replacing sphere, C5 X7

Unread post by wurlycorner »

The pressure applied to them by the fluid would be the same, but the 'resting' gas pressure inside each sphere is different - because the gas is at a different pressure behind the diaphragm. It will compress the gas in the sphere to the same pressure, but you'll end up with a different volume of fluid and gas in each side. That means you will have a different length of 'travel' within the sphere and the relative volume change in the fluid that each side needs, to achieve the same degree of movement will be different (same in the cylinder, but different in each sphere)?
I think that would alter the effective damping rate from one side to the other, to some extent?
(The 'spring' pressure would be consistent though, because the gas will compress to the same pressure).
Though this is probably overthinking...
--
Iain

'85 CX GTi Turbo s1 (met. blue)
2x '85 CX GTi Turbo s2 t1 (met. silver & grey)
'88 CX GTi Turbo s2 T2 (met. light blue)
CX DTR T2 Safari (silver)
2x '96 Xantia Activa (Black & met. green)
'01 C5 2.0 HDi LX Estate (Blue)
'11 C5 X7 3.0 V6 Exclusive Tourer