westreon? for changing spheres

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 18 Oct 2009, 21:57

Sl4yer wrote:Mine has had all spheres checked, and 8 of them changed, by Westroen about 18 months ago (before I owned the car). I'm sure SOMETHING isn't quite right, but I suppose that's always a risk with regassed spheres.

They offer a 3-year guarantee though, so that should offer some peace of mind. I suppose the hard bit is proving that one is faulty...

Citroenmad wrote:Our estate has had spheres fitted by Westroen this year, ive not had the time to check what they are yet but they dont feel exactly as they should. This was before we got the car though, so i dont know which ones were replaced, though it did have 5 of its 7 replaced.

Interesting quotes

my own personal experience of Westroen was buying a complete set of ten spheres for my Activa (now Jim's) and just like the two quotes above the car never felt quite right at the rear end. It was only after Jim bought the car that I got hold of a sphere tester and discovered that the rear strut spheres were well down on pressure. Jim tried to claim on Westroens three year warranty but was told it only applied if the diaphram had burst.

By comparison I've bought sphere's form Pleiades and always found them to be gassed correctly as I now always check the pressure on sphere's prior to fitting them. Amtex sphere's supplied by GSF also appear to be correct BTW.

stevetheskaterboy · Unread post by **stevetheskaterboy** » 18 Oct 2009, 22:37

Great thank you for letting me know

I may fit them myself, or get some help, depends on prices and what needs to be done. Its something im going to have to look into.

Is it best to do front, backs, accumilator, anti sink all at the same time?

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 18 Oct 2009, 22:39

Well you dont have to, but for piece of mind i probably would, then you know its going to be right for a good while.

Its interesting to hear peoples views on Westroens spheres, makes me all the more determined to check what spheres the Xm has on.

stevetheskaterboy · Unread post by **stevetheskaterboy** » 18 Oct 2009, 22:45

I dont know what speres I need to order to fit to the exclusive.....

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 18 Oct 2009, 22:48

Well if you think its riding ok i wouldnt be buying any spheres, as Citroen units are not all that cheap. You can get cheaper spheres if you wish, persoanlly i only fit citroen ones.

So since yours still appear good id be looking for somewhere to regas them, will be cheaper and you will be able to keep your current spheres, some of which might still have the correct pressure anyway.

stevetheskaterboy · Unread post by **stevetheskaterboy** » 18 Oct 2009, 22:51

I was thinking it may be worth it due to finding citroen oem spheres at AEP Direct, heres the link..........

http://www.aepdirect.com/index.php?opti ... ory_id=121

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 18 Oct 2009, 22:56

Well they are cheap, though i wasnt aware they did Citroens own brands. My C5 had spheres from there, they were not Citroen units.

If your getting them you need them for a hydractive Xantia.

If your doing them yourself, then your best to get a sphere removal tool, will make it so much easier as you might not get them off without it. Some spheres are in awkward places too.

Have you checked to see if you can spot all 8 of its spheres?

stevetheskaterboy · Unread post by **stevetheskaterboy** » 18 Oct 2009, 23:00

Ive spotted them all, just nervous about making a right balls up of the whole thing!

I take it that it is a reputable company then? I was also looking at the oils and filters, lets face it, ill need to change the oil when I get back of holiday anyways lol, I always cover mega mileage when im away

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 18 Oct 2009, 23:10

So you have looked at where each sphere is on the car?

Its a while since ive looked at a Xantias spheres so cant recall where they all are, i know one or two are quite tricky.

Well i guess you could just buy them all and fit them yourself if thats what you want to do.

If you feel confident in fitting them and want to change them all, then why not. You will need some more LHM to top it up too.

Ive not used that company myself, but have a receipt for the spheres for the C5, fitted before i got it. They do seem to have pretty good prices for oils etc too.

Usually if i want a car part i go out and buy it/order it, i like to know what im getting! So cant say i can recommend any online provider as ive not used any. I know a lot of people do use AEP though, they must have pretty good service and always have good prices.

stevetheskaterboy · Unread post by **stevetheskaterboy** » 18 Oct 2009, 23:14

The rears look a little more tricky than the front, but I think with instructions I may manage getting it, Im very comfortable doing many jobs but the suspension does get me a little edgy lmao.

Might take it to my friendly family mechanic, he may not be a citroen specialist but hes worked on xantias before, and owned a xm. May buy the spheres and get him to fit them, or get HDI to help me fit them

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 18 Oct 2009, 23:17

Yes take HDi up on his offer, thats very reasonable.

Looking around on there it does look to be a good site, very good prices.

Might just use there for some parts in the future.

stevetheskaterboy · Unread post by **stevetheskaterboy** » 18 Oct 2009, 23:25

Sounds like a plan, I will get in touch with him later.

I always use ELF oils, and their 5w40 synthetic is very reasonable, and the spheres look decent.

so im right in thinking I will need:

*sphere front right (hydractive)
*sphere front left (hydractive)
*accumulator sphere
*sphere rear left (hydractive)
*sphere rear right (hydractive)
*sphere anti sink
*regulator front sphere
*regulator rear sphere

Is that right?

Unread post by **myglaren** » 19 Oct 2009, 06:54

If you are going to change all the spheres it may be advisable to run some hydroflush through the system too.

Pleiades · Unread post by **Pleiades** » 19 Oct 2009, 08:39

Just realy to say thanks to all for the reccomendations, as you know I dont realy like to use this forum for blatent advertising, just good old fashioned advice, but all custom is appreciated and we would be only too pleased to sort out the spheres, you may well be surprised at our prices at the moment.

AEP is a good firm to deal with too, I have used them for bits over the years and fine them a friendly bunch with good service and a large stock too.

As for the flush, I normally use the glass jar test to see if it needs doing.

Get yourself 2 x jam jars (without the jam inside) Then put about 3 inches of nice new LHM in one jar, stand it over a newspaper and you will be able to read the print through the LHM.
Next, take some LHM from your cars reservoir and fill the other jar to the same level and stand it over the newspaper, you will see the difference, if it's clean but just gone a bit yellow, change it, if it's dirty, flush it.

Dont forget, if you do come to see us, chocolate biccies are the best!!!

Regards,
Martin.

vince · Unread post by **vince** » 20 Oct 2009, 00:44

Citroenmad wrote:Well they are cheap, though i wasnt aware they did Citroens own brands. My C5 had spheres from there, they were not Citroen units.

If your getting them you need them for a hydractive Xantia.

If your doing them yourself, then your best to get a sphere removal tool, will make it so much easier as you might not get them off without it. Some spheres are in awkward places too.

Have you checked to see if you can spot all 8 of its spheres?

This is their sphere supplier according to their website......OE?

I.F.H.S is one of Europes leading suppliers of spheres with a 2 year warranty and high quality specification for Citroen.