Xantia Suspension Spheres

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KennyW
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Xantia Suspension Spheres

Post by KennyW »

Hi Gang,

I know I read in another thread that the pressure on the rear sphere's for estates is higher than the saloon but what should it be?

I think I've bought the wrong spheres a little while ago.

Regards

Kenny W
C5 x7 2.0 HDi 160 hp Estate exclusive, the newbie
Xantia 2.0 Hdi 90hp 1999 only 189,000 and rising!!!!!!! Moved on to a new home
C3 1.4 petrol (SWMBO)
Xantia TD 1.9 Mk 2 Estate LX 1998 model over 210,000 miles now and still rising!!!!!!!!!!!!! now deceased 17/12/2010.
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KennyW
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sphers

Post by KennyW »

Hi Gang,

I've found what i was looking for Back spheres for estates 40 PSI.

Anybody out there confirm same.

Regards

Kenny W
C5 x7 2.0 HDi 160 hp Estate exclusive, the newbie
Xantia 2.0 Hdi 90hp 1999 only 189,000 and rising!!!!!!! Moved on to a new home
C3 1.4 petrol (SWMBO)
Xantia TD 1.9 Mk 2 Estate LX 1998 model over 210,000 miles now and still rising!!!!!!!!!!!!! now deceased 17/12/2010.
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AndersDK
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Post by AndersDK »

Errr...

Yes I know Simon (mandrake) once wrote in a reply that these spheres should be 40bar initial charge pressure.
But thats certainly not the only spec to meet for correct function. You will notice that if you search for spheres with 40bar pressure - there are numerous types to choose amongst.
It must be the correct type no for '98on Xantia 1.9TD Estate (in your case) - and specified for either hydractive or not - whatever is fitted on your TD Estate.

Reason is that the damper ("shocker" function valve) is build into the sphere also. And you dont go buy Fiat Punto shockers for an S class Mercedes or vice-versa ... :wink:
Anders (DK) - '90 BX16Image
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KennyW
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Post by KennyW »

Andersk,

Thanks for that,

Mine is Non - Hydroactive.

Just a bit concerned re the ride since I changed mine about 6 mths ago.
I thought I maybe got the wrong rear sus'n spheres, as I did say it was for an estate etc.

Regards

Kenny
C5 x7 2.0 HDi 160 hp Estate exclusive, the newbie
Xantia 2.0 Hdi 90hp 1999 only 189,000 and rising!!!!!!! Moved on to a new home
C3 1.4 petrol (SWMBO)
Xantia TD 1.9 Mk 2 Estate LX 1998 model over 210,000 miles now and still rising!!!!!!!!!!!!! now deceased 17/12/2010.
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Post by Mandrake »

Tell us the pressure stamped by the filler, AND the long black printed part number starting with a 9 and we can tell you if you have the right spheres...

And yes as Anders points out, there is more than just the pressure involved, but if the pressure is wrong you don't need to check the other things to know they are the wrong spheres :lol:

The estate rear spheres have a higher pressure AND larger damper bypass hole. The reason for this is because of the larger diameter hydraulic ram used in the estate.

If you put the estate spheres on the sedan the ride at the rear will be very soft and floaty with a lack of damping and rediculous amounts of squat on acceleration.

I know this because Citroen mistakenly sold my Dad estate rear spheres for his Xantia, and we noticed just this. It was thanks to this forum that I was able to find out they were the wrong spheres and get them replaced. (We were both new to Xantia's then and didn't know any better or have any information, other than what is on the internet...)

Edit: whoops, just noticed you have an estate not a hatchback. Well in that case, hatchback spheres on an estate will make the ride at the back a lot harder/harsher than normal.

Regards,
Simon
Last edited by Mandrake on 14 Apr 2006, 22:57, edited 1 time in total.
Simon

1997 Xantia S1 3.0 V6 Auto Exclusive in Silex Grey
2016 Nissan Leaf Tekna 30kWh in White

2011 Peugeot Ion Full Electric in Silver
1977 G Special 1129cc LHD
1978 CX 2400
1997 Xantia S1 2.0i Auto VSX
1998 Xantia S2 3.0 V6 Auto Exclusive
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Post by Peter.N. »

Unless you carry a lot of weight in your estate, having hatchback rear spheres (if thats what you've got), shouldn't make a great deal of difference.
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Post by Mandrake »

Peter.N. wrote:Unless you carry a lot of weight in your estate, having hatchback rear spheres (if thats what you've got), shouldn't make a great deal of difference.
Hi Peter,

Unfortunately thats not the case - the reason for the difference in sphere is not so much to allow greater loads to be carried, but rather to compensate for the increased diameter of hydraulic ram used in the estates.

Estates use 40mm rams, while hatchbacks are 35mm before 1995 and 37mm after 1995. The increased diameter ram allows heaver loads to be carried for the same oil pressure.

However, if you don't change the sphere (eg still using a sphere like the hatchback ones) you will effectively make both the springing and damping much stiffer.

Therefore estate spheres have higher gas pressure and wider damper valve holes to bring the ride quality back into line with the ride of a hatchback, except thanks to the larger ram the maximum load capacity is increased.

Regards,
Simon
Simon

1997 Xantia S1 3.0 V6 Auto Exclusive in Silex Grey
2016 Nissan Leaf Tekna 30kWh in White

2011 Peugeot Ion Full Electric in Silver
1977 G Special 1129cc LHD
1978 CX 2400
1997 Xantia S1 2.0i Auto VSX
1998 Xantia S2 3.0 V6 Auto Exclusive
Peter.N.
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In the past: 3, CX td Safaris and about 7, XM td estates. Lovely cars.
x 1199

Post by Peter.N. »

I stand corrected :oops:
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KennyW
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Previous Citroen's
Xantia 2.0 90hp estate
Xantia 1.9 TD estate
x 132

Post by KennyW »

Thanks Peter and Mandrake,

I will have a look tomorrow re pressure and number.

Tried to find receipts for buying same but will check as sugested.

This may tie in with my other posting.

I will update the sight tomorrow.

Regards

Kenny W
C5 x7 2.0 HDi 160 hp Estate exclusive, the newbie
Xantia 2.0 Hdi 90hp 1999 only 189,000 and rising!!!!!!! Moved on to a new home
C3 1.4 petrol (SWMBO)
Xantia TD 1.9 Mk 2 Estate LX 1998 model over 210,000 miles now and still rising!!!!!!!!!!!!! now deceased 17/12/2010.
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AndersDK
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Post by AndersDK »

Simon -

You are so correct going by the book - that you forget about real life and whats driving around on the roads :wink:
I can assure you - that if you get your - correct type by parts list - rear spheres re-gassed to +10bar - you wont feel any difference from spheresa on par with the pressure 8)

If your theory was correct - then after some (years of) driving the spheres have lost some 10bar in pressure (from initial) - the drive would become very detoriated. Thats not the case - reported from real life by the many BX'es (+ 1 CX) I have owned over the years.
Point is : the sphere pressure is allowed to be highly tolerant and still the sphere works as it should on the car.

BTW : I believe that VERY few UK owners of hydraulic Citroens ever get their spheres re-gassed or even checked. Here in DK I've never heard of it. We simply replace the spheres when the ride gets too harsh.
Reason ? - the car is already very expensive to maintain these days :evil:
Anders (DK) - '90 BX16Image
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