C5 Spheres

[lexi]

Guys; These genuine NOS spheres that lie around dealers? Are they good as new? I mean, do the C5 units loose pressure like the old type with old father time? Also, the genuine units are better?

[Peter.N.]

The later type spheres seem to be better, I fitted new ones to mine about 4 years ago and there has been no noticeable deterioration and they should last longer if not being used. Mine were non genuine ones but the suspension goes up and down OK. Doesn't ride as well as the XM though, never did.

Peter

[lexi]

Thanks Peter. I don't expect new spheres to transform it, although the originals at 13yr old must have lost pressure.
The old ones are ghastly to look at!

[Peter.N.]

The easiest way to test them is to bounce each corner, if they are in good order you should get about 4-6" of movement on the back and 2-4" on the front. After I changed mine the back still wouldn't go up and down easily, the radius arm bearings had seized, once I had changed them it was OK - so I may not have needed spheres although the car had done about 180k miles so probably did.

Peter