Citroen dealer said I need to replacement.....

[fv43576]

Hi, my C5 MkI 2.0HDI 110 has been service with 72,000 miles on it by Citroen Dealer and have passed the MOT too but they said I required to have new spheres (said green ball) all need to be replace due become instability while they took out on test drive warm up before the MOT? Is the spheres something do with stability? plus the mechanic said on the front passenger side is bit low than rear need to adjust by computer to back up the right level.
I am uncertain what to do now, I never do trust what the dealer is say sound like want my money for the work being carry out that is really unnecessary.

I want to ask few question:
What is the lifetime mile of spheres due need to replace? I don't find anything wrong with my stability! should I ignore it about this replace spheres?

Has the Lexia software got suspension adjust height reset? told me the height is 6mm low than what is should but my point of view I can't see any odd level on the front and rear?

Garage is charge me £79 for just one click on the laptop to reset suspension to the normal level.

They said the total cost of replacement sphree is approximate include the labour and VAT is £550ish!

[MikeT]

This is just my opinion and it's tainted by a local Citroen Dealer that really went over the top on failing my Xantia once (which another station passed with flying colours)...

Your car passed it's MOT in this condition, so what's the problem?

Yes, it's wise to replace all spheres at the same time but if it's not an MOT fail....
Never known an MOT tester to test drive the car before an MOT though it does need to be normal running temperature for the emissions test.

[white exec]

What year is the car, and whereabouts are you based?

[Quackers]

Citroen say the spheres on the C5 should last 10 years. One of my C5's is on its original spheres at 174,000 miles and 10 years and i can tell its no where near as soft as my newer C5 but still rides better than any spring car i've been in recently. If i owned a first gen C5 i would be thinking of maybe changing them now if on original and i intended to keep the car for a few more years.

[fv43576]

What year is the car, and whereabouts are you based?

Year is 2003 I am base in Colchester

[Hell Razor5543]

You might want to check the sphere prices from AEP Direct. They are pricing the spheres at around £42 each, which would (assuming four spheres) equate to £170ish. OK, you would have to get them fitted, and have some LDS, but a good independent garage should not charge silly prices.

http://www.aepdirect.com/

[lexi]

I

want to ask few question:
What is the lifetime mile of spheres due need to replace? I don't find anything wrong with my stability! should I ignore it about this replace spheres?

Yes, I would ignore it. My spheres are 14 yrs old. Car drives fine..........so car is fine!

[myglaren]

^^Same here

[GiveMeABreak]

Hi, my C5 MkI 2.0HDI 110 has been service with 72,000 miles on it by Citroen Dealer and have passed the MOT too but they said I required to have new spheres (said green ball)

Well for a start, the spheres are not green on the C5, they are the silver saucer shaped ones. The genuine ones cost retail about £140 inc. VAT

all need to be replace due become instability while they took out on test drive warm up before the MOT? Is the spheres something do with stability? plus the mechanic said on the front passenger side is bit low than rear need to adjust by computer to back up the right level.

You cannot adjust individual spheres, so I'm presuming they are referring to adjusting the ride height of the vehicle. Now if it is a sphere that needs replacing, you would not need to adjust the heights - replacing the sphere should be enough for it to correct itself. If the height corrector (one on the front and one on the rear axle) is out, then that would affect the front or the rear of the car, not one side.

The front spheres can be replaced easily enough - although they may be a bit tight to get off initially and you may need a tool to grip the sphere carefully. You should get the new seal with the sphere, but I certainly would replace it myself first (or in pairs at least). You'll need to depressurise the system too.

These people are not main dealer in Colchester, but say they are trained to Master Technician level - might be worth giving them a call:

http://www.simplyserviced.co.uk/citroen/

[Clogzz]

My spheres are 14 yrs old. Car drives fine..........so car is fine!

Mine are also 14 years, and driving very well.

[fv43576]

Anyway enough advice thanks all of you, the garage has brainwash my brain, but now I have made up my mind to leave it for now, like above said 14 years of same spheres my ride is fine then why bother change it's nothing too serious.