Sphere life

[davewithington]

I've just bought some new spheres from a well known and trusted supplier

They have a manufacture date of 2003. Do spheres deteriorate in storage?

[Citroenmad]

I have found that spheres keep pressure if in storage. We have a number of Gen Citroen spheres which are not all that new and if I use some I pressure test them, they have always been spot on. Well, usually ever so slightly over.

[davewithington]

Fair enough Chris.I'll pop them on tonight

The spheres on the Green Goddess were changed in 2007, so as a precaution I'm changing the lot, yes all 8, so I know where I'm starting from

There has been a lot of money spent on this car, but not recently. No, no I don't mean it's rubbish!

[Mandrake]

Hmm. It depends what sort of spheres they are...

If they're grey C5 spheres, or long life multilayer Xantia spheres (three dimples around the filler cap at the top) and they're 10 years old but unused, chances are they're perfectly fine, even in use the long life Xantia spheres easily last 10 years without significant pressure loss.

However if they're standard Xantia spheres then even if they're unused it will be a lottery at 10 years! If the metal button at the bottom of the diaphragm has sealed well against the neck of the sphere there will be little pressure loss, however if it has not there could be a large loss of pressure.

If it were me I would be pressure testing them before going to the trouble of fitting them.

[davewithington]

Fitted them last night and there is a definite improvement, especially at the front which has lost its harshness. These were the 2003 spheres.

The ride wasn't bad before, just not supple

[Citroenmad]

Going on experience I imagine they will be not far off the correct pressure if they have had a shelf life.

Good result