Hydralic suspension

[cit-rotti]

Wolfgang.....you have to be a member to see any images on that site...........


https://bxproject.co.uk/blog/citroen-bx-sphere-tester/

Thank you - nice pictures - nice tool.
I built something similar to this more than 25 years ago. Works perfectly. However, old parts from previous lemons are needed, e.g. from a DS - my tool is made from the following parts:
- an old LHM can to which an inlet/outlet is attached
- a disused HP pump that still builds up pressure
- an old pressure regulator (the pressure is regulated by the bleed screw)
- a few old HP lines and LHM rubber lines
- a pressure gauge - preferably 200 atü - so that the cut-off pressure of pressure regulators can also be checked
a spring ball extension from the DS as an extension to the pressure regulator.
I also have the original 4135T tool at my disposal.
Greetings Wolfgang

[gustav]

Hello again!
I have one last question. The workshop is asking 200eur to diagnose and the sphere costs 150 eur. Therefore I think I will take a chance on replacing the sphere myself. BUT it would be reassuring to do what can be done to diagnose without measuring the sphere.

What can I do myself besides the following? When I drive over speed bumps with the right pair of wheels the car feels soft and completely normal but becomes hard and bumpy when I drive over speed bumps with the left pair of wheels, especially the left front wheel.

[Stickyfinger]

EDIT

To Diagnose, swap the front strut spheres with each other....IF the problem switches then that sphere is low/dead.

IF when you remove the problem side sphere, a LOT of LDS (or straw coloured "foam") comes out, then that sphere has a ruptured internal membrane.

NEVER WORK UNDER the car, ALWAYS use axle stands...STAY ALIVE

(Sorry, got mixed up with the chap who has just obtained a Xantia.....ignore my rambles about Xantia's & LHM)

[cit-rotti]

To Diagnose, swap the front strut spheres with each other....IF the problem switches then that sphere is low/dead.

IF when you remove the problem side sphere, a LOT of LHM (or green "foam") comes out, then that sphere has a ruptured internal membrane.

NOTE: when you depressurise, only unscrew the regulator valve about 1/2-1+1/2 turns. There is a small ball bearing behind the bolt, you WILL loose it if it falls out

NEVER WORK UNDER the car, ALWAYS use axle stands...STAY ALIVE...........................(Note, you should be able to do all work without going under the car.)

This set of videos are a very good guide.....I linked it to the time of the bleed screw/depressurise screw being loosened.....just leave it open and run the car for 5 mins to ready it for the sphere change.


https://youtu.be/xr4M65s3rHI?t=519

Note:
The video and description apply to LHM vehicles.
This is no longer available for LDS vehicles.
The methods for the necessary depressurisation are completely different and have already been described in detail in other articles.
Greetings Wolfgang

[gustav]

To Diagnose, swap the front strut spheres with each other....IF the problem switches then that sphere is low/dead.

IF when you remove the problem side sphere, a LOT of LHM (or green "foam") comes out, then that sphere has a ruptured internal membrane.

NOTE: when you depressurise, only unscrew the regulator valve about 1/2-1+1/2 turns. There is a small ball bearing behind the bolt, you WILL loose it if it falls out

NEVER WORK UNDER the car, ALWAYS use axle stands...STAY ALIVE...........................(Note, you should be able to do all work without going under the car.)

This set of videos are a very good guide.....I linked it to the time of the bleed screw/depressurise screw being loosened.....just leave it open and run the car for 5 mins to ready it for the sphere change.


https://youtu.be/xr4M65s3rHI?t=519

Note:
The video and description apply to LHM vehicles.
This is no longer available for LDS vehicles.
The methods for the necessary depressurisation are completely different and have already been described in detail in other articles.
Greetings Wolfgang

Thank U!
I intend to follow this guide
viewtopic.php?p=758186#p758186 (thanks Marc)

[cit-rotti]

f you do not have a diagnostic tool, there is of course an even simpler way to depressurise the vehicle.
When the Citroen is raised out of the ‘normal position’, the valves open and the pressure escapes.
This can be done both as a whole and axle by axle.
Open the lid of the LDS tank beforehand, otherwise the tank may burst. If there is too much LDS in the system, the tank will overflow - just like when depressurising.

To prevent this procedure, the vehicle must/should always be in the maximum position for lifting.

Greetings Wolfgang

[gustav]

f you do not have a diagnostic tool, there is of course an even simpler way to depressurise the vehicle.
When the Citroen is raised out of the ‘normal position’, the valves open and the pressure escapes.
This can be done both as a whole and axle by axle.
Open the lid of the LDS tank beforehand, otherwise the tank may burst. If there is too much LDS in the system, the tank will overflow - just like when depressurising.

To prevent this procedure, the vehicle must/should always be in the maximum position for lifting.

Greetings Wolfgang

I havent bought the Lexia/diagbox yet. My plan is to depressurise only the front axle manually following this guide from Marc:

"So undo the LDS cap

Raise the car up on highest suspension.

Jack the car up enough to allow supports to be inserted under the front

When the wheels are hanging freely, lower the car's suspension to the lowest setting.

Then follow the guide to release the pressure in the front circuit. viewtopic.php?p=649287#p649287

When you have completed the sphere change, tighten the pressure release screw back up.

If you have lost any LDS fluid when depressurising, top up only by the amount you have lost.

Start the engine and place the suspension into the highest setting

Allow the car to stabilise which may take a few minutes

Then gently lower the jack to lower the vehicle back to the ground then remove the jack once the vehicle is supporting itself at the front."

[gustav]

Hi!
One more question.
What is the torque for the new sphere? Just hand force?

[Stickyfinger]

A wipe of LDS on the seal & Hand force only........

[gustav]

A wipe of LDS on the seal & Hand force only........

Thank U!

[gustav]

A question that arises during ongoing work: is it enough to have freely hanging wheels on the axle that will depressurize? or do all four wheels have to be freely hanging?

[Kees]

It's oke, to just lift the car at the front, if you want the front to be depressed .

[gustav]

It worked out fine and the sphere has now been replaced. It was a big improvement as the stiffness in the left corner is now completely gone but it also made it noticeable that there are more spheres that are starting to lose pressure. Maybe it's an idea to replace them all?

When I connected the battery after the replacement, this error code appeared? However, it was possible to delete it and has not returned. but still out of curiosity I want to know what the error code is?