Can't remove Xantia rear spheres...

JamesQB · Post by **JamesQB** » 24 Apr 2010, 17:29

Hi,

I know this has probably been answered before but the search isn't working for me, just hangs on waiting for page (might be the internet connection here in spain).

Got the car up on axle stands and have tried removing rear spheres with system pressurised using my homemade tool, and banging the tool's arm with a mallet. Trouble is each whack is moving the sphere and its mounting bit by bit until it's bending the bracket around the sphere mounting. Always had trouble doing rears but won in the end. Not with these! Tried with system depressurised too but it's just mangling the brackets.

Any tips?!

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 24 Apr 2010, 18:04

Don't have the wheels off the ground when you first crack the sphere's.

Put the car on high, leave engine running, support the car with a jack just incase it tries to drop.
Load as much weight into the boot as you can.
Slide underneath (not easy if you carry your own fuel tank like me

)
Use the tool to crack the spheres off just a turn or so, then get out from under the car.
Rest the back of the car on axle stands, set it on low, depressurise, screw the spheres off by hand.

Pleiades · Post by **Pleiades** » 24 Apr 2010, 18:04

James.

Yes they can be a bit stubburn, but dont give up, they will give in, (honest)

What you need to do is this....

Put the car on high as normal and get some stands is ready, (I am allways using a ramp so it's a bit easier)
Using a drift, a large diamiter punch (I use a brass one about an inch and a half round)
Put the drift up against the suspension cylinder as if you are trying to thump the sphere threads.
Give the drift a good hard thump with a heavy hammer.
This will crack the corrosion joint between sphere and cylinder.
The sphere should now come off as normall.

Regards
Martin.

JamesQB · Post by **JamesQB** » 24 Apr 2010, 20:28

Thanks for the advice. Once the wheels were on the ground with a jack and stands underneath for safety but not taking any weight, the sphere mountings no longer moved in the slightest, allowing me to crack them after a fashion.

I never realised the wheels needed to be on the ground to do this job - at least I know for next time!

Back end is now springy instead of rock solid with no movement. Seems a bit slow to spring back up, almost "treacley" in its movement, but least it moves now.

addo · Post by **addo** » 24 Apr 2010, 22:43

Xantias are never fast rising compared to earlier cars - but so long as it stabilises, you're fine.

DickieG · Post by **DickieG** » 25 Apr 2010, 12:49

JamesQB wrote:Seems a bit slow to spring back up, almost "treacley" in its movement, but least it moves now.

It will be with new spheres as there is now a cavity which need to be filled with LHM, with flat spheres they are already filled with LHM, totally normal and a good sign.

XantiaDaveEire · Post by **XantiaDaveEire** » 26 Apr 2010, 00:59

what are the chances of damaging the cylinders if they are not cracked first?

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 26 Apr 2010, 01:10

XantiaDaveEire wrote:what are the chances of damaging the cylinders if they are not cracked first?

More a chance of turning them and damaging the pipe into them.

On cassy a mate of mine got his left and right mixed up so tightened the sphere.
Had to get a spare ram and drill several holes into the socket to release the sphere then fit the new ram.
Was not a happy bunny

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 26 Apr 2010, 08:09

we just recived a catalouge from TOOL STATION,

there is a pipe chain wrench which looks a bit like my old STANLEY 30cm wrench,

go to there link below and enter in there search box 56261

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Hand+Tools/d10

i use my one with a two foot tube on the slid over the handle, and i have owned it for quite some years

regards malcolm

Post by **CitroJim** » 26 Apr 2010, 08:20

That looks good Malcolm,

Just as long as contemporary Stanley tools are not made of cheese. I've always associated Stanley with baragin basement stuff where quality is often optional...

At the price it's worth a shot....

I'll stick with my trusty Pleiades tool.

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 26 Apr 2010, 08:25

my STANLEY pipe chain is quite old now, and back in those days i belive there tools were made to a higher standerd,

besides i dont know what make the one in the link is,

i do own a genuine citroen clamp type tool which is my fisrt attac method these days,

regards malcolm

Post by **CitroJim** » 26 Apr 2010, 08:35

Old Stanley stuff was brilliant. That's going back 50 years or so though...

Now why did I assume it was a Stanley one Malcolm? I see now, it's a no-name job.

At that price though, you can hardly go wrong.

See the 900mm one there too?

For the very tightest of spheres I guess...

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 26 Apr 2010, 13:06

Jim you thought STALEY because i said it looks like my STANLEY pipe wrench,

the only trouble with the 900mm one is the chain might be have thicker links, which will sometimes be to much and foul on things, the type in the link is by fare heavyer than the average filter wrench,

regards malcolm