sphere problems

XantiaDaveEire · Unread post by **XantiaDaveEire** » 21 Nov 2009, 11:05

morning guys,so yesterday i went to do the accumulator and the 2 front spheres on my newest xantia,i seriously doubt they have been changed since they were factory fitted as there is no travel in the front and the ride is as hard as the road ,back end is fine for now until i get a few more quid together

depressurised the system,attempted to turn the spheres on both sides of the car and nothing ,i pulled as hard as i could without taking the struts off the car and my hands are suffering this morning

,is there anything else i should try to get them turning as i dont fancy going to a garage after iv bought the tool and its a simple job anyway

Dave

HDI · Unread post by **HDI** » 21 Nov 2009, 11:16

U will need to get medieval !! Cold chisel used at a tangent to the neck at the point it's screwed onto the strut top

A few hard blows should move them.

Xantidote · Unread post by **Xantidote** » 21 Nov 2009, 12:17

I've only had to resort to the cold chisel method once, and that was very recently, on the accumulator. However, I applied the chisel to the overlapping metal seam at the sphere's largest diameter, where I assumed a decent metal thickness, and it worked, using a lump/club hammer. Maybe it's the shock that get's the sphere moving? Applying chisel at the seam where the diameter's largest gives you the best "leverage"

Good luck - Martin

HDI · Unread post by **HDI** » 21 Nov 2009, 12:30

It is the shock that does the job. I prefer the neck as the force of the blow does not exert a bending load on the thread , also the blow is more directly applied to breaking the joint free. Sphere's do not need to be heavily tightened as the fluid seal is an O ring.

Pleiades · Unread post by **Pleiades** » 21 Nov 2009, 13:51

Hi Dave.

Put the chisel away !!

Just get a nice medium weight hammer and give the part that carries the sphere a couple of short sharp blows, as if you are trying to hit the threads of the spheres, right up close to the sphere but on the strut top itself, this allways does the trick for me.

You can also use this method on the rears, as it will break the corrosion between the cylinder and sphere, I use a short brass drift on the rears as you cannot realy get a hammer in and the brass drift will not damage the ally cylinders.

Regards.
Martin.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 21 Nov 2009, 16:39

Touch-wood, I've not had to chisel one yet.

Another tip is to apply percussion (at least a 4 Lb club hammers-worth) to the top of the sphere removal tool in the undoing direction as you try undoing the sphere.

Having a pukka Pleiades tool helps this method to work.

As said, it's the shock that does the trick.

Unread post by **myglaren** » 21 Nov 2009, 17:03

CitroJim wrote:
As said, it's the shock that does the trick.

Creep up behind them and shout BOOOOO! then

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 21 Nov 2009, 17:38

myglaren wrote: Creep up behind them and shout BOOOOO! then

Steve, that is so funny! gave me a good giggle...

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 21 Nov 2009, 19:19

Shock? Take the car for a thorough wash and buff, then have the interior valet cleaned. Drive to the coast and sit in it watching the sun set while eating fish and chips.

Then - ever so gently - crouch down and whisper to the offside front wheelarch (being that engines "hear" through their pulleys) "Sorry, but I've found another. I can't love you any more"...

I reckon that ought to work!

Xantidote · Unread post by **Xantidote** » 21 Nov 2009, 21:22

Well Dave, you've plenty of options - let us know which worked for you!

So now we've discovered Steve's technique - does this work with your gorgeous females as well Steve (referring to your avatar)??

Unread post by **myglaren** » 21 Nov 2009, 21:28

Xantidote wrote:Well Dave, you've plenty of options - let us know which worked for you!

So now we've discovered Steve's technique - does this work with your gorgeous females as well Steve (referring to your avatar)??

No, they just laugh and walk away.
I may be doing something wrong

XantiaDaveEire · Unread post by **XantiaDaveEire** » 22 Nov 2009, 11:02

thanks guys il try get out tommorow weather permitting and hopefully il have that magic carpet ride back

XantiaDaveEire · Unread post by **XantiaDaveEire** » 24 Nov 2009, 12:35

got the fronts done but then it started to rain so i took her for a little drive...and WOW

..amazing is all i can say ,if this is how beautiful she drives with just the fronts changed i cant imagine how comfortable it would be with the other 4 spheres,ramps and speed bumps no longer noticeable ..