Removing Front Accumulator Sphere

wingrattg · Post by **wingrattg** » 18 Jul 2003, 02:22

[?] Anyone know the best tool to get the front middle accumulator sphere off. I used a strap wrench on the 2 front suspension units but cannot budge the middle. Have depressurised and lowerd suspension height, still cannot budget it, is their a special too for this or am i doing somethin wrong..
Any help gratefull.

Linegeist · Post by **Linegeist** » 18 Jul 2003, 02:31

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by wingrattg

[?] Anyone know the best tool to get the front middle accumulator sphere off. I used a strap wrench on the 2 front suspension units but cannot budge the middle. Have depressurised and lowerd suspension height, still cannot budget it, is their a special too for this or am i doing somethin wrong..
Any help gratefull.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I used a chain wrench on mine - a strap wrench tends to flex enough to lose any shock effect.
Using a universal joint and a 12" socket extension, I was able to get a nice hefty heave at it without endangering anything expensive.........
Regards
BC

wingrattg · Post by **wingrattg** » 18 Jul 2003, 02:39

Did you do this from underneath or above.....

CITROEN-SUCKER · Post by **CITROEN-SUCKER** » 18 Jul 2003, 03:57

hi I recently bought a Gas Pipe chain wrench from a carboot sale for £5.00 and with some simple modifications it works brilliantly on all spheres and has no chance of slipping or breaking..
thanks
j.j.
93 Xantia Td Sx & 93 Xantia Td VSX

DLM · Post by **DLM** » 18 Jul 2003, 04:21

With all Citroen spheres, try this :
(1) Start with the system pressurised but car very firmly supported with axle stands in case it should drop.
(2) Using your tool of choice (preferably metal band-wrench - as sold by Andyspares, or sold/rented by Pleiades) apply steady pressure until the sphere just starts to move. An extansion will help a lot. On no account move more than 1/4 of a turn - the idea is just to "crack" the grip between sphere and mount.
(3) Now, with engine off and height control lever at lowest position, release the 12mm bolt-headed pressure-release screw carefully until a hiss is heard and pressure releases. Don't unscrew it any further.
(4) The sphere should now be free to unscrew without undue effort.
Front spheres, as you have discovered, are normally a lot easier to shift than accumulators and rears, not least because access is easier.
David

DLM · Post by **DLM** » 18 Jul 2003, 04:24

Just a thought - I am referring to the to the accumulator sphere normally mounted in front of and below the engine. If you are referring to a centrally-mounted anti-sink sphere found in between the suspension spheres, the mounting needs to be clamped firmly, I believe - but check with Xantia owners first - my experience is with BXs without anti-sink spheres.
David

alan s · Post by **alan s** » 18 Jul 2003, 04:59

Having a BX 16V with air/con, using a chain wrench isn't an option as I doubt you could find any way of fitting it unless you took the radiator & air/con condensor out.
When I tell people what I use, it usually brings a response of hysterical laughter untill they try it & then it's a case of amazement.
I have a gadget my wife won at a "Tupperware" party years ago. It's a thing for unscrewing screw top jars & effectively is a piece of rubber about 6" square. Slip it down from the front, wrap around the accumulator sphere (with suspension dropped & 12mm bleed screw loosened) get two hands on the job & heave; works every time. It's nice if you clean the sphere before you start for a couple of reasons. One being that it then doesn't tend to slip & secondly, you don't get into strife with the missus next time she goes to open a new jar of pickles. [:D][}:)]
Alan S

penners · Post by **penners** » 18 Jul 2003, 13:45

This worked for me. Put tension on the sphere using what ever tool you are using to remove the sphere & gently (I Stress gently) tap the end on the sphere with a lump hammer. It took me about a minute of tapping and my strap (Oil filter remover) was starting to rip but it did move in the end.

Post by **Jon** » 18 Jul 2003, 13:54

"I have a gadget my wife won at a "Tupperware" party years ago. It's a thing for unscrewing screw top jars "
Alan, you never cease to amaze me. Theres me with my proper Sphere removal tool for all these years and there you are doing the same job with your Tupperware lid removal tool. I'm in awe.

alan s · Post by **alan s** » 18 Jul 2003, 15:56

Jon,
Never forget there's a difference 'tween you & I.
You work at a Citroen parts supplier & live in a country where Cits abound.
I live in a country where I go to get tyres the other day & the guy booking the car in (who had just finished telling me how much experience they'd had with Citroens) asks "now the car brand again? Is that with a "C" or an "S" and he WAS serious.
I also have to work with the nearest Cit 'specialist' 350 klms away and parts supply faster from Reading UK than some of the capital cities in Oz. In those situations, you soon learn to improvise.[B)][:D]
Alan S [:D]

DLM · Post by **DLM** » 18 Jul 2003, 19:35

Alan - this makes the BX DIY sphere removal tip for cycle inner-tube, giant jubilee clip, screwdriver and hammer sound positively high-tech! I'm all for creative improvisation though. Perhaps we need a new thread on "Citroen repairs my other half didn't get to hear about...". A pair of tights wouldn't be much good for an impromptou HP pump belt though, remembering the legendary fan-belt replacement tip of yesteryear.
David

mipster · Post by **mipster** » 18 Jul 2003, 21:19

Anyone know the best tool to get the front middle accumulator sphere off.

I had a similar problem with the accumulator sphere. People say it's the easiest but on mine it wasn by far the hardest. I finally bought the removal tool from pleiades:
http://www.pleiades.uk.com/
mipzter

wingrattg · Post by **wingrattg** » 20 Jul 2003, 03:27

[:)] THANKS GUYS - Job done...
Went to GSF and got to proper tool - £29 + vat (they will refund this minus a 20% handling charge - pretty good eh.
Its a 5 minute job once the little bugger knows you mean business....
As I say, thats again

allmond · Post by **allmond** » 20 Jul 2003, 04:19

OK Went to a neighbours at 3pm and it's now 11 pm! Been drinking Stella and good French wine since then! This means I can't be bothered to look for the thread, but I made the do it yourself tool from a length of threaded studding and a 1 inch square bar. It has worked perfectly for all of the 8 spheres on my Xantia It definitely works for the accumulator.
Have a search, because it's a design that really works!
Jamie

maxrobertson · Post by **maxrobertson** » 18 Aug 2003, 03:41

I was able to get the rear suspension spheres off using a home-made tool consisting of a length of threaded studding (10mm) bent to shape round a new sphere and fixed onto a length of old bed-frame angle iron (whose spring-holes were more-or-less in the right place). This "cracked" those joints without me breaking sweat. However, there's no room at the front around the accumulator. Fabric straps either tore or slipped. I picked up a 1/2" drive chain wrench (same idea as the fabric straps) oil-filter removing tool from a Draper stockist for about £4. Sure enough, it broke at the ALUMINIUM pin which joins the chain ends. Being a cyclist, I simply got out my chain riveter and joined it with a proper pin from a spare/old chain, gave a big HEAVE and bingo - off came the sphere!