Ride Height / Sphere Change

[bbb]

Had a good search on here...
N reg Xantia saloon, sitting high at the front, way more than the accepted three fingers more like a hand and a half.

Have already changed the accumulator sphere and the LHM. All the suspension spheres and the rear look and feel to be in need of a change as well. The car falls and rises ok but can take a while at times. Would new spheres solve the front end or is it solely down to the height correctors?

Plan:
1. Replace the five remaining spheres
2. Locate and clean / lube the front and rear height correctors

Anything else I need to do?

Which leads me onto my second question.
Looking at getting the spheres from AEP Direct:

http://www.aepdirect.com/citroen-xantia ... ry_id=121#

Some spheres listed cover the period '95 - '03 whilst some are '93 - '95 how do I know which ones are for mine? The car is an 'N' reg but I don't know about month of manufacture.

Many Thanks
bbb

[Rhothgar]

Hi bbb,

Please excuse me for jumping in on your post but would like to add a comment and make a statement at the same time.

I'm looking to do my spheres in the next couple of months and would like to know who the OEM was who manufactured the spheres.

AEP state,

"This is a new, original accumulator sphere to replace the accumulator sphere a CITROËN Xantia 1.9 Diesel (jul 1993 - apr 2002).

AEP Direct are the Number one French specialist in the Great Britain. Our I.F.H.S OEM standard spheres have a like for like part number application corresponding to the manufacturer."

They claim they are new original and then seem to clearly state they are like for like part numbers which seems to suggest that they are not genuine OEM.

Who are I.F.H.S?

Would I be being too particular?

I think GSF do Amtec spheres?

What experiences have other forum members had of differing makes of spheres?

[bbb]

I used a GSF (Amtex) sphere for the accumulator but that was closer to £30 including vat. The AEP ones end up a lot cheaper if buying five.

The GSF one seems fine, found a reference to AEP on here but don't know if people rate them or not. Some of mine have been replaced with Pleiades units.

Can the old spheres be re-used/re-gassed? who would want them as it seems a shame to just scrap them if they can keep other cars on the road.

[davygr22]

I have used the AEP supplied IFHS spheres on a couple of Xantias & found them very good.
IFHS stands for ' International Factory for Hydraulic Spheres' - they have their own web page & a catalogue detailing all Citroen Spheres from the DS/SM up to the C6.They are ISO approved & as far as I know are NEW SPHERES,not REMANUFACTURED units.
They also carry a two year warranty,which I think is similar to Citroen units.Citroen obviously manufacture spheres 'in-house' & these are now painted grey,similar to the new style 'saucer slimline' spheres on the C5 & C6 - these are however much pricier than aftermarket items!!
Existing spheres can be regassed providing the internal diaphram is sound - need checking by folk with the correct equipment.
AEP usually request your Registration & VIN to cross reference the correct spheres.
Hope this helps,
Davy.

[citronut]

i have alway used AMTEX spheres which are new not re/coned,

how long have GSF been charging £30 quid for spheres, as they were all around the 20 quid mark,

i have used these IFHS but from ECP as thats the brand they sell, they seem ok,

when the corner spheres are low or flat this affects the ride quality,

the spheres dont have much if any affect on suspension hight,

this is usualy down the the hight corrector linkage turrets being seized or binding,

regards malcolm

[SwissSPEC]

I recommend Westroen re-gasses spheres, free fitting while u wait & are £30 each & they come with a 3yr warranty, i've had a few off them & have always found them to be very good & have taken advantage of the free fitting service