C5 Question Center Suspension Sphere Removal

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cachaciero
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C5 Question Center Suspension Sphere Removal

Post by cachaciero »

Tried to change the center sphere on my C5 today and failed......:-(
The problem was that we couldn't see how to remove the old sphere and get the new one in. Citroens own documentation just says rather glibly unscrew the sphere and remove it, but how? It wont come out or go up through the hole in the subframe the hole aint big enough.

So a question, has anybody changed the front center Sphere on an H3+ C5? and if so by what route / method did they get the old sphere out and the new one in?


cachaciero
2006 Toyota Prius T Spirit
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1996 XM 2.1 TD Auto VSX
1995 XM 2.1 TD Auto SX died @ 140K
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pete@co.uk
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Post by pete@co.uk »

Hi cachaciero

I noticed this when i was doing my front lower arm on my c5 this week all you can see is the slot in the subframe with a little of the sphere showing through it, and i thought the same thing. Mine don't need replacing but i thought how would you do it if need be hope you don't mind but im watching this post for answers

Pete...........
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Post by Citroenmad »

pete@co.uk wrote:Hi cachaciero

I noticed this when i was doing my front lower arm on my c5 this week all you can see is the slot in the subframe with a little of the sphere showing through it, and i thought the same thing. Mine don't need replacing but i thought how would you do it if need be hope you don't mind but im watching this post for answers

Pete...........
Im surprised a 2.0 16v SX is hydractive+ :shock:
Chris
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Post by pete@co.uk »

Hi citroenmad

Yes mine has H3+ suspension it also has the full parking aid kit too it must have been requested and added when the car was new it also has climate control coupled with a sunroof very rare

Pete..............
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cachaciero
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Post by cachaciero »

That makes it pretty close to full Exclusive spec, bout the only thing lacking would be the Xenon Headlamps.

Interesting because when looking for another I wouldn't normally have given an SX a second look that was a good find.


cachaciero
2006 Toyota Prius T Spirit
2001 2.2 C5 Exclusive SE
1996 XM 2.1 TD Auto VSX
1995 XM 2.1 TD Auto SX died @ 140K
1987 CX 2.5 Gti Turbo II dead
1984 Ford Scorpio
1981 CX 2.4 Pallas Auto
Renault 21
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Post by Citroenmad »

I don't know much about the petrol C5s but the H3+ was never an option, only standard fit. So all 2.0 16v SX C5s must be H3+, interesting!

I knew the 2.0 HPi petrol engines are H3+ but didn't know the 2.0 16v was too. That is a lot of spec for an SX, its a fairly early one so maybe it was a press demo perhaps.
Chris
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Post by pete@co.uk »

Hi All

Here Is The Spec of the c5 Sx Range According to Parkers I think you will find this interesting

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/equipment ... 15&years=3

My car also includes the monochrome sat nav not the colour version

Pete........
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Post by Citroenmad »

Its a shame the diesel SX didn't get H3+, though I quite like it how it is.

Monochrome sat nav and not the colour one, what does that look like? :?
Chris
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Post by pete@co.uk »

Hi citroenmad

Its just like the normal size LCD screen like on all c5,s but with a different layout more information on 2 screens which you change by using the stork on the steering wheel its difficult to explain ill have to upload a picture when i can get round to doing it

Pete...............
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cachaciero
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Post by cachaciero »

Yes, but how does one get the center sphere out? :-)

cachaciero
2006 Toyota Prius T Spirit
2001 2.2 C5 Exclusive SE
1996 XM 2.1 TD Auto VSX
1995 XM 2.1 TD Auto SX died @ 140K
1987 CX 2.5 Gti Turbo II dead
1984 Ford Scorpio
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KevMayer
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Post by KevMayer »

Does this help ?

Image

Unclip the wiring harness (at " a ") .
Remove :
The nuts (1)
The heat shield (depending on engine)
The nuts (2)
The mounting bracket (3)
The sphere (4) from the stiffness adjuster , using tool [1]

Tool 1 is a sphere removal tool.
Cheers, Kev

02 plate C5 2.2 Hdi Exclusive SE (now 170k miles 03/21).

Used to have:- Xantia 1.9 TurboD SX. 1996 Blue & 1998 Silver Activa. + 1992 BX TZD Turbo.
cachaciero
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Post by cachaciero »

Hi Kev

Thanks for posting the diagram which if I don't miss my guess is the one from the official Citroen screed on removing the regulator. :-)

Now the documents says remove the sphere using tool 1.
Tool 1 is a glorified strap wrench for unscrewing the sphere, so we unscrew the sphere using tool 1 and then ? how does the sphere come out? it sure won't go through the whole in the subframe, what is the access route for the sphere is there one?
This is what I need to know how exactly to get the sphere out.

cachaciero
2006 Toyota Prius T Spirit
2001 2.2 C5 Exclusive SE
1996 XM 2.1 TD Auto VSX
1995 XM 2.1 TD Auto SX died @ 140K
1987 CX 2.5 Gti Turbo II dead
1984 Ford Scorpio
1981 CX 2.4 Pallas Auto
Renault 21
1220 GS Club
Rover P6 2000TC
cachaciero
Posts: 1407
Joined: 13 Apr 2009, 07:24
Location: West Sussex U.K
My Cars:
x 9

Post by cachaciero »

B*? ! twitchy fingers
2006 Toyota Prius T Spirit
2001 2.2 C5 Exclusive SE
1996 XM 2.1 TD Auto VSX
1995 XM 2.1 TD Auto SX died @ 140K
1987 CX 2.5 Gti Turbo II dead
1984 Ford Scorpio
1981 CX 2.4 Pallas Auto
Renault 21
1220 GS Club
Rover P6 2000TC
KevMayer
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Post by KevMayer »

From the diagram it appears to suggest that with the exhaust support bracket removed then there may be enough clearance to slide the sphere out down the side of the exhaust pipe. But, I assume you realise this and you don't think there is enough space.

Maybe the exhaust has to come off?
Cheers, Kev

02 plate C5 2.2 Hdi Exclusive SE (now 170k miles 03/21).

Used to have:- Xantia 1.9 TurboD SX. 1996 Blue & 1998 Silver Activa. + 1992 BX TZD Turbo.
woodywoodpecker
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Re: C5 Question Center Suspension Sphere Removal

Post by woodywoodpecker »

cachaciero wrote:Tried to change the center sphere on my C5 today and failed......:-(
The problem was that we couldn't see how to remove the old sphere and get the new one in. Citroëns own documentation just says rather glibly unscrew the sphere and remove it, but how? It wont come out or go up through the hole in the subframe the hole aint big enough.

So a question, has anybody changed the front center Sphere on an H3+ C5? and if so by what route / method did they get the old sphere out and the new one in?


cachaciero
cachaciero,
Hi i posted about this last year because i had the same problem and i agree with you because it looks like the sphere will not come out, I don't think the sphere will even unscrew enough to come out of the regulator without hitting the subframe. I thought of cracking the sphere then removing the 3 bolts holding the regulator to the subframe and move the regulator a little, Then it may be possible please keep us updated on this because i have a new one to put on aswell.
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