Citroen Spheres - S1 1.9TD (Comfort required)

[Rhothgar]

Rather than complicate the other WOES thread with sphere talk, I thought it would be useful to keep this separate.

I assume my S1 1.9TD is non-hydractive because I have 3.5mm pipes.

So looking at the 1995 Xantia Mechanics Handbook I note that the spheres for the 1.6i, 1.8i and 1.9D have the biggest damper holes.

So I set about writing them down for quick reference when searching for prices.

Part Numbers (membranes D for Desmopan, U for Urepan and M for Multicouche) as follows:-

Front Spheres (Part Index 2):-
96 169 316 (D)
96 194 445 (U)
96 199 312 (M)

Accumulator: (Part Index 1)
96 154 588 (D)
95 451 376 (U)

Rear Spheres: (Part Index 3)
96 169 314 (D)
95 451 376 (U)

SC-MAC Sphere (Part Index 6)
NOTHING LISTED FOR NON-HYDRACTIVE!!!!

Am I going MAD?

Does anyone know what the part number would be for the accumulator on the 1.9TD please or where I can find it?

Here are the specs from the MH to save time:-

[mickthemaverick]

SC-MAC Sphere (Part Index 6)
NOTHING LISTED FOR NON-HYDRACTIVE!!!!

Am I going MAD?

Au contrare Roger, the third of your pictures has component 6 listed for ALL TYPES except Activa!!
Does that not mean that if you have component 6 then the car is Hydractive?

[Rhothgar]

SC-MAC Sphere (Part Index 6)
NOTHING LISTED FOR NON-HYDRACTIVE!!!!

Am I going MAD?

Au contrare Roger, the third of your pictures has component 6 listed for ALL TYPES except Activa!!
Does that not mean that if you have component 6 then the car is Hydractive?

Thereby hangs my problem!

It's cast a shadow of doubt on whether my car is hydractive! I am sure it isn't because I thought Hydractive cars have the 4.5 mm or 8mm pipes. I must admit, however, that I haven't actually measured the diameter but what's a millimetre between friends?

[xantia_v6]

Number 5 is the hydractive sphere, number 6 is the 'anti-sink' brake accumulator sphere.

[Rhothgar]

Number 5 is the hydractive sphere, number 6 is the 'anti-sink' brake accumulator sphere.

OK but is my S1 car hydractive?

[xantia_v6]

Number 5 is the hydractive sphere, number 6 is the 'anti-sink' brake accumulator sphere.

OK but is my S1 car hydractive?

Probably not. In the UK, hydractive was only fitted to VSX or Exclusive trim cars, and I don't think I saw a UK 1.9TD with those trim levels (I have seen them in France).

A Xantia with anti-sink and hydractive will have 4 spheres at the front and 4 at the rear. Without hydractive there is one less at each end.

[Rhothgar]

Thanks for the clarification Richard.

I wrongly believed it was all to do with pipe diameter.

I have 6 spheres so the search for a part number continues.

[xantia_v6]

As Mick said, All Xantias (except Activa) use the same SC-MAC sphere, regardless of hydractive. The SC-MAC sphere has no influence on ride quality or comfort.

[Rhothgar]

As Mick said, All Xantias (except Activa) use the same SC-MAC sphere, regardless of hydractive. The SC-MAC sphere has no influence on ride quality or comfort.

OK. So I am safe to use that part
number then. It’s just that reading it in black and white it doesn’t state non-HA in the Mechanics Handbook.

[Stickyfinger]

Citroen are like that with parts.....everything is ok unless they say "Except or from RPO"

Just don't fit the wrong spheres as bad things can happen.

[Rhothgar]

Citroen are like that with parts.....everything is ok unless they say "Except or from RPO"

Just don't fit the wrong spheres as bad things can happen.

Well here's a surprise.

Called Citroen dealer and they don't even list spheres any more? Nor 3.5mm pipe seals! Nor sphere seals! Who knew?

That cannot be right. The numbers I have must have been superceded but the guy on parts sounded like he couldn't be bothered.

[aerodynamica]

Number 5 is the hydractive sphere, number 6 is the 'anti-sink' brake accumulator sphere.

OK but is my S1 car hydractive?

Probably not. In the UK, hydractive was only fitted to VSX or Exclusive trim cars, and I don't think I saw a UK 1.9TD with those trim levels (I have seen them in France).

A Xantia with anti-sink and hydractive will have 4 spheres at the front and 4 at the rear. Without hydractive there is one less at each end.

1.9 TD VSX was a thing here! My previous Xantia is a 1.9 TD VSX complete with hydractive.

The sure way to know if it has Hydractive or not is simply whether it has the button on the center console for 'sort' mode. A single button with a sort of 'spring' symbol with an arrow pointing upwards. I think this button was moved to the dashboard on later Xantias

[xantia_v6]

Well here's a surprise.

Called Citroen dealer and they don't even list spheres any more? Nor 3.5mm pipe seals! Nor sphere seals! Who knew?

That cannot be right. The numbers I have must have been superceded but the guy on parts sounded like he couldn't be bothered.

Citroen have not stocked Xantia spheres in the UK for a long time.

The last remaining Xantia suspension parts available from PSA are listed here: https://www.boutique-laventure-associat ... +absorbers but it is not obvious what those specific sphere references fit.

The best quality replacement spheres are said to come from IFHS (who reportedly manufactured for Citroen).