Activa sphere change

LeeDJC · Unread post by **LeeDJC** » 03 Apr 2007, 19:35

I have previously changed the spheres on my LX which was pretty straightforward. Obviously the Activa has a few extra such as the hydractive and ram spheres as well.

Is there anything I should look out in particular for when changing these? Is the a particular order in which it's best to do them?

Thanks!
Lee

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 03 Apr 2007, 19:55

If you are going to change all of them, carry out the usual procedure for a standard Hydractive sphere change (already detailed in previous posts), you then need to de-pressurise the Activa high pressure part of the system.

This is done by moving the roll corrector linkage (on the front suspension) from side to side several times, then attach a brake bleed tube to the nipple situated on the rear Activa sphere block, undo it until the flow of fluid stops, releasing any residual pressure. If you don't, when it comes to changing the front balancing sphere

I'm not aware of any particular order to be followed when changing them, once the system is depressurised I wouldn't have thought it makes any difference.

Before jumping to change the sphere's remember that the ride on an Activa is somewhat firmer than other Xantia's, particularly at the front. If you do need to change them, then GSF don't offer a full set anymore. Either Westroen, Pleiades or a new set from I.F.H.S are your options. You could always try a dealer @ £80 each x 10

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 03 Apr 2007, 23:12

This thread is just in time! I shall be changing all my rear spheres this weekend. I shall keep soaking my bleed nipple in Plus Gas and will try again to crack it open.

Just a quick question. I noticed this evening that the difference between hard and soft mode at the rear of mine is not that great. I'd almost say it is hardish and not quite so hard. There is not the massive difference there is at the front between hard and soft mode. I know the rear hydractive electrovale is working as I can feel a difference and can hear the valve clicking on and off. How much difference at the rear should I feel?

So I reckon I may have nearly flat spheres. They look as though they have been there a long time so they are due a change.

jeremy · Unread post by **jeremy** » 03 Apr 2007, 23:55

You shouldn't need to bleed the brakes should you? Gas shouldn't get into the limbs to the calipers, especially if the fluid isn't move by applying the brakes until the LHM has been circulated by Citroebics.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 04 Apr 2007, 06:15

Personally, I always bleed the brakes after a sphere change.

KevMayer · Unread post by **KevMayer** » 04 Apr 2007, 19:04

Here's a pic of C5 spheres on an Activa.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c242/ ... ses_ar.jpg

KP · Unread post by KP » 04 Apr 2007, 19:23

What are the benefits of fitting the C5 spheres to older generation cars?

Are they softer or just longer lasting with the triple thickness diaphragm or skins?

LeeDJC · Unread post by **LeeDJC** » 04 Apr 2007, 19:37

I'd be interested in finding out why they've put C5 spheres an an activa also.....

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 04 Apr 2007, 20:23

I'm not exactly sure of the origin of this, but I have heard it mentioned that some very late build Activa's did have these grey sphere's fitted from new. Before you rush out to buy some, I understand that they also have a different thread requiring an adaptor collar to fit.

Take a good look around the following link (related to the French Activa Car Club, masses of photo's here) http://membres.lycos.fr/ci6web/auto/ and you'll find the original photo for the link that Kev posted in either subfolder Rencontre 8 or 9, together with a few more of these grey sphere's on Activa's and the adapting collar.

For Activa owners there are quite a few useful photo's for reference (repairing the balancing ram's etc) and for Xantia owners in general, particularly now that PR.NET has closed, a large number of parts diagrams listed under the title of LASER

.

KP · Unread post by KP » 06 Aug 2014, 21:44

Just to bring a thread back from the dead....

Does anyone knwo anything more about this at all?

I have heard that adapters were made up for this as the later spheres that were fitted to xantias were in fact grey but the dimensions and spec was the same as the green and that it was just an EU thing that they started moving over to grey.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 07 Aug 2014, 13:01

Will, I had a very late Hydractie HDi once and that had a C5-style grey mushroom rear centre Hydractive sphere and that had exactly the same thread as a normal green sphere.

Late green-type spheres (i.e. not C5 mushrooms) were (and still are) painted grey.

KP · Unread post by KP » 07 Aug 2014, 13:59

Well ive put in a call to see if any local dealers have any green spheres sat on their shelves.

They will come back to me with part numbers and from that i can hopefully match them upto cars and get the right specs for them as they are happy to discount them a bit to see the back of them and being in a nice cool dark warehouse shelf they should still be at pressure as well being original Citroen ones

lets see what they find! if not then IFHS it is

Still cant see how the C5 spheres have the same thread but i do have two in the garage i can check when i get my hands on another Sphere at some point

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Activa sphere change

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