westreon? for changing spheres

stevetheskaterboy · Post by **stevetheskaterboy** » 18 Oct 2009, 18:54

Has anyone used them before?

Im heading up to manchester in a few days and thinking of getting my spheres swapped out while im out there,

I would do it myself but thats one thing im a little nervous of doing!

stevetheskaterboy · Post by **stevetheskaterboy** » 18 Oct 2009, 19:02

If not.....

can anyone advise where to go in the midlands to get all 8 spheres changed for a reasonable cost?

Post by **CitroJim** » 18 Oct 2009, 19:05

It's not a difficult job at all Steve but you do need a good sphere tool.

In the midlands, you will do well to go and see Pleiades (see recommended garages) and enjoy a natter with Martin whilst he sees to your car. They're in Sawtry, Cambs just off the A1M near RAF Alconbury.

Pleiades is a Citroen hydraulics specialist. They also supply a very good quality and able sphere removal tool.

stevetheskaterboy · Post by **stevetheskaterboy** » 18 Oct 2009, 19:11

Sounds like a plan.

So far I have done:

Full service including lhm change, auxillary drivebelt change, air con recharge, underbody rustproofing, new key, replacement spare tire, tracking and alignment and tiny body repair, steel wheel respray and winter tyres and amazingly complex valet! see other thread.

Just thinking they may need doing soon, rides good but before I got it the car was in storage for 6 months, was taken out 2 months before I got it so I think replacing them will be worth the time/effort/price

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 18 Oct 2009, 19:44

Id recommend Pleiades too, very helpful and possibly the best place for spheres.

Have you check your sport mode is cuting in and out fine? There is a simple fix for this if not. It will make the ride a bit firmer if its not functioning correctly.

Did you do all of the above yourself? Apart from the air con regas?

A Complex Valet? Do tell?

Chris

Post by **myglaren** » 18 Oct 2009, 19:59

Also, if you go to Pleiades then Martin could test the spheres and regas them for you if they are in good condition, could save you some cash there

stevetheskaterboy · Post by **stevetheskaterboy** » 18 Oct 2009, 20:01

I have done everything apart frm the regas, the tires and the trackin and alignment.

The valet consisted of jacking the car up, underbody washing the entire car, degreasing my engine bay, do a bit of rust around bonnet latch, hoover the interior, clean and wipe down dash, leather treat the seats, clean all the windows, finally washed the outside and finished with a good wax and tyre junk! Job done lol

addo · Post by **addo** » 18 Oct 2009, 20:10

I've not heard bad about Westroen - if there is anything that's best discussed "off air" I am happy to receive PMs.

My impression about them has largely been that they're more into CX era stuff.

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 18 Oct 2009, 20:24

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.

It does feel that the back is far softer than the fronts, which seem normal, though maybe a little harder than they should be. Thats my job for next weekend, take off all the spheres and pressure test them, see if they are the correct ones and regass if need be. Also need to do an LHM change too. It rides nice but im sure it can be improved!

Ah, you cant beat a good valet. Ive sometimes spent 10 plus hours giving my car a proper clean. Wash, dry, paint cleaner polish, clay bar whole car, super polish and then finish with a wax. Meanwhile taking off the wheels, cleaning and polishing both inside and outside surfaces of the wheels. Cleaning round the arches and polishing paintwork. Sounds a little OCD actually!

Thats something which i rarely do now, the downside of having too many cars to look after, 8 in total, its hard keeping up with them all! There is always something which needs doing, isnt there!

Chris.

stevetheskaterboy · Post by **stevetheskaterboy** » 18 Oct 2009, 20:46

Well it has to be done!

Keep it clean and looked after and hopefully avoid corrosion, tommorrow I'm going to retouch the alloys cos where the pevious balancing weights were has damaged the laquer

stevetheskaterboy · Post by **stevetheskaterboy** » 18 Oct 2009, 20:52

And to answer the question from before, sport mode works fine. Its more of a case of getting them checked and done to make sure they are sorted for the long run

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 18 Oct 2009, 20:59

Yup, its a good idea to have all your 8 spheres checked to ensure they are at the right pressure. Since you have a great car (all big Citroens are!) it might as well be working its best

Had you of been closer i would have offered to test them for you, but your quite a way

HDI · Post by **HDI** » 18 Oct 2009, 21:02

stevetheskaterboy wrote:If not.....

can anyone advise where to go in the midlands to get all 8 spheres changed for a reasonable cost?

I reckon I could change all 8 in 2 or 3 hours , so say £100 max ? If thats ok just get the spheres and we'll arrange a time. Don't forget , my workshop is in Kiddy !

Sl4yer · Post by **Sl4yer** » 18 Oct 2009, 21:29

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...

James

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 18 Oct 2009, 21:48

In theory you should not have any problems with regassed spheres, providing that they have not run below the minimum required pressure. If they have then the diaphram can become damaged through contact with the top of the sphere.

There is also the question if you have the correct spheres for your car type too.

Chances are yours should be fine though.

I like to pressure test the Xms every 2 years normally. Just to be sure they are ok, and plus we have the gear to pressure test and regas them. So that makes it easy. Have got spheres from Pleiades before though.