Aftermarket Sphere Life

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 19 Dec 2010, 09:49

Poor old accumulator is knackered - reg ticks at less than four second intervals and the sphere makes a sloshing noise when shaken.

It's a Lip sphere; at $120 in early 2007 compared to the $170 for a genuine Citroën one, it seemed the right choice. Regassed it twice but now it's ruptured so the time has come for genuine at a current rate of $179 (£114 plus carriage) toutes taxes comprises.

Looking back I suspect the rate of loss indicated a faulty diaphragm to begin with. I reckon the "niggles" with this car have been significantly due to prior neglect and not really due to manufacturing aspects...

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 19 Dec 2010, 09:57

That's a lot of money for a Sphere Adam

Generally the Amtex Spheres as supplied by GSF are found to be good. Would it not be cheaper to have one or two of those shipped out to you?

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 19 Dec 2010, 10:26

Yes, cost is not insubstantial - especially compared to what a Xantia is worth over your way.

I'll probably put my hand up for some of the ones Chris de Jong sells in New Zealand: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 681463.htm

Pretty sure the rules for airmailing ex-UK are rather hard on pressurised car parts... John and Malc have been a great help posting stuff out, but I don't want to get anyone in trouble for an act that might fall under anti-terrorism laws.

Unread post by **myglaren** » 19 Dec 2010, 11:50

Is it worth contacting GSF or AEP direct and getting a quote for parts + freight.

How about the Australian branch of Pleiades?

Unread post by **citroenxm** » 19 Dec 2010, 17:16

CitroJim wrote: Generally the Amtex Spheres as supplied by GSF are found to be good.

Really? Ive not found then that good in general (Sorry Vince!) But I have had quite a few bad Amtek Spheres, even "New" Flat ones!!

The best - and which are always within weeks of a Gassup are the IHFS spheres from AEP / CitroenServices....

If GSF went over to these then Id have no problems getting them from GSF.

Paul

Xaccers · Unread post by **Xaccers** » 19 Dec 2010, 17:22

Never had a problem with amtex spheres on any of my Xantias

Unread post by **citroenxm** » 19 Dec 2010, 17:25

Im sure in general they are ok, But Ive had too many that wrent so good.

Paul

Citroening · Unread post by **Citroening** » 19 Dec 2010, 17:27

...no probs with Amtec spheres here either.

Deanxm · Unread post by **Deanxm** » 19 Dec 2010, 17:39

I have to back paul here, ive had a few duff Amtex ones and one that were the wrong part which was strange, mind you always sorted out with no worries by gsf.

D

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 19 Dec 2010, 19:03

Deanxm wrote:I have to back paul here, ive had a few duff Amtex ones

Ahh

There's a connection here, both you and Paul live on islands

The trip across the sea upsets them....

Unread post by **myglaren** » 19 Dec 2010, 19:07

CitroJim wrote:
Deanxm wrote:I have to back paul here, ive had a few duff Amtex ones
Ahh There's a connection here, both you and Paul live on islands

The trip across the sea upsets them....

Yeah, that's why they're green.

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 19 Dec 2010, 19:13

I've had failed AMTEX spheres from GSF over the years going back quite
a way to the Andyspares days - one failed in a day of fitting from a pair
on the front of a Cx GTi Turbo. Wasn't best pleased.

Whilst AMTEX have been the more prevalent manufacturer supplier than
anyone else except Citroen OEM I understand there are other alternatives
available through various parts suppliers before considering Westroen and
Pleiades; does anyone have any recommendations?

It's looking a but bleak if Activa specific spheres are no longer supplied
from the one relied upon source too.

Andrew

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 19 Dec 2010, 19:54

My firs C5 had a set of spheres from AEP fitted when i got it, they had not been on the car for a very long time.

It almost failed its MOT because one had gone hard, it wasnt very noticeable when driving so i asked the MOT tester to drive it, he did and passed the car. He said i needed to change the spheres, so i did, back to Citroen ones.

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 19 Dec 2010, 21:07

I've used Amtex for years and never had a problem with them, I also pressure test them pre and post fitting and will continue to purchase them until I come across a problem.

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 19 Dec 2010, 22:11

myglaren wrote:How about the Australian branch of Pleiades?

Unfortunately, they did a great disservice to a trusted friend - I suspect as the result of unstructured cashflow. It's unlikely to ever be righted, and as a result they won't have me either.

Structure of freight prices ex-UK means that unless you use a broker like Shiply, the costs for a small parcel are very high. My Sealey caliper tool set cost nearly as much to freight by Parcelforce, as two driveshafts and a pair of hub carriers (also airfreight - and faster!)...

Looks like the number of people using IFHS is small compared to Amtex. Which one actually makes the Citroën parts? In pictures, neither has the pressed tin cap I've found on genuine spheres.

Cheers, Adam.