Grey / Multilayer Spheres ???
Moderator: RichardW
Grey / Multilayer Spheres ???
In reference to the above, what are these 'grey' spheres that I have heard of and can 'multilayer' spheres be used instead of the normal green ones which for example we use on the Xantia's?
Volkswagen Golf 59' 1.6TD S
Donno if multilayer spheres are coloured grey for identification.
The multilayer designation tells you that the membrane is more than a single rubber composite membrane - presumely lasting a lot longer and with less diffusion allowance.
Note that diffusion always takes place. There is no finite measure against that.
If the sphere otherwise fits the requirements : inflation pressure, filling volume and damping rate - its a direct swap. There are no "new inventions" to the gas constant and damping rate of the damper valve. These must do their job as always since the first sphere constructed by Citroen.
The multilayer designation tells you that the membrane is more than a single rubber composite membrane - presumely lasting a lot longer and with less diffusion allowance.
Note that diffusion always takes place. There is no finite measure against that.
If the sphere otherwise fits the requirements : inflation pressure, filling volume and damping rate - its a direct swap. There are no "new inventions" to the gas constant and damping rate of the damper valve. These must do their job as always since the first sphere constructed by Citroen.
Anders (DK) - '90 BX16Image
MEzuk, C5/C6 use the grey spheres. This coloration is different to separate LDS from LHM spheres, as they are not compatible. Mind you, i've heard (or read on this forum) once that later Xantiae had similar spheres, but it's a supposition.
Francisco
C5 2.0HDI smoothly riding on 1.8l version spheres
When the hearts beats like a pressure regulator you know it means one thing: Love
Citroën - pacemaking since 1955
C5 2.0HDI smoothly riding on 1.8l version spheres
When the hearts beats like a pressure regulator you know it means one thing: Love
Citroën - pacemaking since 1955
- Kowalski
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I'm just paraphrasing what has been posted above...
A GREEN multilayered sphere can be fitted to the front of a Xantia, the green colour indicates that they are LHM compatible
A GREY multilayered sphere can be fitted to a C5/C6, the grey colour indicates that they are non-LHM compatible and must be used in an LDS system rather than LHM.
The green multilayered spheres appeared on newer Xantias, I'm not sure when they first appeared but they are functionally identical to the non-multilayered spheres they just last longer. If you've got single layered membrane spheres on your Xantia you can replace them with GREEN mutli layered membrane spheres.
A GREEN multilayered sphere can be fitted to the front of a Xantia, the green colour indicates that they are LHM compatible
A GREY multilayered sphere can be fitted to a C5/C6, the grey colour indicates that they are non-LHM compatible and must be used in an LDS system rather than LHM.
The green multilayered spheres appeared on newer Xantias, I'm not sure when they first appeared but they are functionally identical to the non-multilayered spheres they just last longer. If you've got single layered membrane spheres on your Xantia you can replace them with GREEN mutli layered membrane spheres.
Think that the grey spheres have an ovoid shape, wider and flatter, and won’t fit for lack of room.
Also, as per Francisco, they are not meant for LHM.
As it is, the front of the Xantia has the green, round multilayered spheres.
Edit: Oops ! Sorry, Kowalski, I sent my story before I saw your post.
The 1995 Xantia already has the multilayered spheres as original fitment at the front.
Also, as per Francisco, they are not meant for LHM.
As it is, the front of the Xantia has the green, round multilayered spheres.
Edit: Oops ! Sorry, Kowalski, I sent my story before I saw your post.
The 1995 Xantia already has the multilayered spheres as original fitment at the front.
Last edited by Clogzz on 20 Jul 2006, 15:24, edited 1 time in total.
2002 C5 2.0i AL4 230,000 km 76372389
They could have chosen orange. Green LHM ->green spheres, Orange LDS-> orange spheres. But then again, it would be a "kinky" colour for a sphere
Francisco
C5 2.0HDI smoothly riding on 1.8l version spheres
When the hearts beats like a pressure regulator you know it means one thing: Love
Citroën - pacemaking since 1955
C5 2.0HDI smoothly riding on 1.8l version spheres
When the hearts beats like a pressure regulator you know it means one thing: Love
Citroën - pacemaking since 1955
The GREEN multilayered spheres with 3 dimples were available for the front on Xantia's right from the beginning in 1993, but they weren't used in all regions or on all cars.
The data books I have show both multilayer and non-multilayer spheres (for the front) were available right through the production run of the Xantia and the part codes for them.
Presumably various economic and environmental conditions dictated whether they were supplied with a given car in a given region...(one thing I've heard is that the multilayer spheres don't like really COLD sub-zero conditions due to the diaphram becoming more brittle at those temperatures so perhaps weren't available in very cold climates)
To get around that problem in the C5 spheres they made them short and fat to minimize the amount of flexing/rolling in the diaphram that might damage them in cold conditions..
Regards,
Simon
The data books I have show both multilayer and non-multilayer spheres (for the front) were available right through the production run of the Xantia and the part codes for them.
Presumably various economic and environmental conditions dictated whether they were supplied with a given car in a given region...(one thing I've heard is that the multilayer spheres don't like really COLD sub-zero conditions due to the diaphram becoming more brittle at those temperatures so perhaps weren't available in very cold climates)
To get around that problem in the C5 spheres they made them short and fat to minimize the amount of flexing/rolling in the diaphram that might damage them in cold conditions..
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
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
The green multilayer sphere was used on the Xantia and some XM models, poss as a test bench for the material.
This test was not 100% succesfull as they did fail (lots of em) If you cut open a failed one you will find a black diaphragm, this is made up of 2 x layers of "rubber" with a clear plastic sandwiched between them.
The constant flexing during use made the plastic work harden and crack, causing complete sudden failure,
Of course only fitting these to the front end would mean a quick and easy warranty job, keeping the customer happy, but telling Citroen a lot about the material used.
The same diaphragm make up is used in the grey C5 sphere, but with the sphere being flatter, the flexing is no where near as bad so the sphere works fime.
Diffusion will still take place but it will be a much slower proccess as the molecular structure of the plastic is finer than that of rubber.
BUT....... Cut open a knackered C5 sphere and you will find 3 sharp tangs, hanging down from the top..... the purpose of these?? to puncture the diaphragm and make sure that the sphere is not recharged.
Regards
Slim
This test was not 100% succesfull as they did fail (lots of em) If you cut open a failed one you will find a black diaphragm, this is made up of 2 x layers of "rubber" with a clear plastic sandwiched between them.
The constant flexing during use made the plastic work harden and crack, causing complete sudden failure,
Of course only fitting these to the front end would mean a quick and easy warranty job, keeping the customer happy, but telling Citroen a lot about the material used.
The same diaphragm make up is used in the grey C5 sphere, but with the sphere being flatter, the flexing is no where near as bad so the sphere works fime.
Diffusion will still take place but it will be a much slower proccess as the molecular structure of the plastic is finer than that of rubber.
BUT....... Cut open a knackered C5 sphere and you will find 3 sharp tangs, hanging down from the top..... the purpose of these?? to puncture the diaphragm and make sure that the sphere is not recharged.
Regards
Slim