Newbie Sphere Change

mbunting · Unread post by **mbunting** » 21 Dec 2001, 15:27

I have a Xantia without the anti-sink sphere. I've just bought an accumulator sphere, and two rear spheres, which I plan to replace this weekend. I have done the mcdonalds straw syphon test for the LHM colour, and it's a brown/yellow colour - not good as far as I can tell !
I plan to drain the lhm and replace at the same time. Time pressures dictate that I can't really flush the system.
I'm fairly happy about the procedure, but one thing on my mind...
All the various resources I can find mention raising the car to the highest when loosening the spheres - does this apply to all spheres ( including the accumulator ) ? Presumably the engine should be running while you do the 1/4 turn, and then turned off to prevent being blasted with lhm ?
In terms of bleeding the brakes, does this really need axle stands, or is it OK if I'm in a pit under the car ?
Thanks for any replies

Mat.

Unread post by **alan s** » 21 Dec 2001, 16:21

Mat,
In apit under the car is perfect; better than axle stands any day as you can keep weight on the back end whilst doing brakes.
No you don't have to keep the car running; just pump right up to the top and switch off is OK (that way you don't gas yourself whilst removing the rear spheres.
Accumulator sphere, no problem, don't have to have suspension up high, in fact I usually collapse to do mine.
Suggest you take a look at "common problems and fixes" on this forum as sphere changing and LHM changing are covered in fairly fine detail.
Have a nice Christmas.
Alan S

Dave Burns · Unread post by **Dave Burns** » 21 Dec 2001, 20:01

Just a couple of things to add, depending on the size of your pit, make sure the car can't sink and trap you in it.
When you refill the reservoir, start the engine and let it run for a minute before tightening the pressure relief screw, that way any air that has found it's way into the intake tract of the pump will not get into the system but will be returned to the tank.
Good luck
Dave

mbunting · Unread post by **mbunting** » 23 Dec 2001, 14:59

Well, I postponed the change yesterday - the chap who has the pit in the garrage also had an ice rink on the short steep drive !
I'm doing the fronts now, then the accumulator and rears later today ( hopefully ). Just been out and found the bleed screw on the accumulator, forgot I needed a ring spanner, NOT a socket

I bought one of the oil filter removers recommended on the various sites, it's worked a treat with the front spheres, little effort needed.
Quick question - is there any harm in writing the date in permanent marker on the spheres, so that it's easy to tell when they were changed ( apart from keeping a paper record ).
Regards
Mat.

Unread post by **alan s** » 23 Dec 2001, 17:06

Good idea; often also done in "white-out" typists correction ink.
Alan S

mbunting · Unread post by **mbunting** » 26 Dec 2001, 16:16

Well, I changed the fronts outside my house, no problem except with the noise of the traffic I couldn't hear the air from the bleed valve, needless to say I took the spheres off very carefully !
I read that there would be some fluid leakage, I didn't apreciate how much

I also managed to do the accumulator using the pit, no problems..
Then the rears.....( big gasp )...
I couldn't get the buggers off, despite reading all the various tips about loading up the rear etc. Broke one steel strap wrench. I gave up on the rears, and decided to lube various bits, including the rear hight corrector.
I found this was stuck solid, so, crouching down in the pit, I hit it with a hammer, up pops the rear, so quick I couldn't believe it !
Then it wouldn't come back down again using the lever in the car, so I lubed it some more, and hit it back. It's still stuck in the original position, and the rear doesn't adjust it's hight except for the first pump up of the journey.
So, my task now ( which I'm quite happy about ), is to sort out the rear height corrector. The spheres should be relatively easy, I was surprised how easy the fronts were, and how some garrages get away with charging hundreds to change them !
Thanks for your advice over the weekend, seems I was concerned about nothing !
Happy New Year.
Mat.

mbunting · Unread post by **mbunting** » 26 Dec 2001, 16:16

Well, I changed the fronts outside my house, no problem except with the noise of the traffic I couldn't hear the air from the bleed valve, needless to say I took the spheres off very carefully !
I read that there would be some fluid leakage, I didn't apreciate how much

I also managed to do the accumulator using the pit, no problems..
Then the rears.....( big gasp )...
I couldn't get the buggers off, despite reading all the various tips about loading up the rear etc. Broke one steel strap wrench. I gave up on the rears, and decided to lube various bits, including the rear hight corrector.
I found this was stuck solid, so, crouching down in the pit, I hit it with a hammer, up pops the rear, so quick I couldn't believe it !
Then it wouldn't come back down again using the lever in the car, so I lubed it some more, and hit it back. It's still stuck in the original position, and the rear doesn't adjust it's hight except for the first pump up of the journey.
So, my task now ( which I'm quite happy about ), is to sort out the rear height corrector. The spheres should be relatively easy, I was surprised how easy the fronts were, and how some garrages get away with charging hundreds to change them !
Thanks for your advice over the weekend, seems I was concerned about nothing !
Happy New Year.
Mat.

Unread post by **alan s** » 27 Dec 2001, 02:24

[quote/]
I was surprised how easy the fronts were, and how some garrages get away with charging hundreds to change them !
--------------------------------------------
Well done Mat,
Not as hard as those who can benefit from making you believe it is would have you think; hey!
I think since the advent of these types of forums on the 'net, that the days of the rip off repairers are beginning to be numbered. Lack of communication between Citroen owners over the years has been their greatest asset. That at last seems to be coming to an end.
Now all we can hope for is Citroen being a bit more practical with their parts pricing and producing a repair manual to compare with some of the Japanese brands; costs nothing to dream <img src=icon_smile_sleepy.gif border=0 align=middle>
Alan S