Replacing Spheres on a 1997 Citroen Xantia Estate 1.9 TD

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BMBCreative
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Replacing Spheres on a 1997 Citroen Xantia Estate 1.9 TD

Post by BMBCreative »

Hi Folks,

I'm starting to get a fairly bumpy ride in my 1997 Citroen Xantia Estate 1.9 TD (Desire), mostly on the back wheels. All the spheres were re-gassed about 10 years ago but now it looks as if they need replacing. The front spheres don't seem too bad, It's mainly the back.
I have a few questions though if someone here can help me?

Is it better to replace all the spheres at this stage or just the back ones?
Is my version of the Xantia Estate Hydractive or no?
It seems there are 6 spheres in total - (2 back, 2 front, and 2 accumulator spheres?) It seems easy enough to find front and back but when i mention the accumulator ones suppliers don't seem to know what I'm talking about (Mister auto etc) ... Are the accumulator ones different/ specialist?

Any recommended suppliers? (I am in Ireland).

Thanks in advance,
Bryan
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Re: Replacing Spheres on a 1997 Citroen Xantia Estate 1.9 TD

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Bryan - the best option first is to pop up or PM your VIN. I can then get determine what type of system you have and also the correct OEM sphere part numbers with the correct pressures etc.

You can then decide where to get them from with this information. They do vary depending on shape and engine and of course hydractive or not. I would certainly NOT rely on third party non-specialist suppliers for the correct ones without first arming yourself with what you should have. It has been shown numerous times that it is a lottery out there.

I can then get you the OEM parts and prices, that you can use for sourcing replacements according to wishes / budget. They are not all the same and quality has been shown to vary - especially with regard to the membranes used in construction.
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Re: Replacing Spheres on a 1997 Citroen Xantia Estate 1.9 TD

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

May I suggest you contact AEP Direct? They know what they are on about, can supply most spheres, and (for orders over £50) they do free P&P;

http://www.aepdirect.com/

I have used them myself in the past, and was happy with the service. If you do decide to use them make sure you give them your reg number. That way they can check that the spheres you have ordered are the right ones for your car.
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Re: Replacing Spheres on a 1997 Citroen Xantia Estate 1.9 TD

Post by white exec »

Bryan, are you sure the spheres were "regassed", and not just replaced?
If they have been regassed, each sphere would be fitted with a chromed Valprex valve (with a green plastic protection cap) screwed into their tops, instead of the factory-original blanking cap (plain round thing, about 16mm diameter).
Valprex valve.jpg
If you do have the Valprex regassing widgets, regassing them again might be an option, if the spheres are still intact and haven't been run flat, although 10 years is pushing it by a factor of about two!

If any of the spheres are of the later grey flatter "saucer" type, they cannot be regassed, only replaced.
Saucer sphere.jpg
Do let us know VIN number, in any case.
Chris
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Re: Replacing Spheres on a 1997 Citroen Xantia Estate 1.9 TD

Post by BMBCreative »

GiveMeABreak wrote: 30 Jul 2018, 15:44 Bryan - the best option first is to pop up or PM your VIN. I can then get determine what type of system you have and also the correct OEM sphere part numbers with the correct pressures etc.

You can then decide where to get them from with this information. They do vary depending on shape and engine and of course hydractive or not. I would certainly NOT rely on third party non-specialist suppliers for the correct ones without first arming yourself with what you should have. It has been shown numerous times that it is a lottery out there.

I can then get you the OEM parts and prices, that you can use for sourcing replacements according to wishes / budget. They are not all the same and quality has been shown to vary - especially with regard to the membranes used in construction.


HI Marc,

Many thanks for the advice and apologies on the delay in replying, I've been out sick.

Cool, The Vin number is VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff] 17E00017E5109

I don't think my version is hydractive.
BMBCreative
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My Cars: 1997 Citroen Xantia Desire Estate 1.9 TD
2010 Citroen C5 VTR 2.0 TD Estate
x 2

Re: Replacing Spheres on a 1997 Citroen Xantia Estate 1.9 TD

Post by BMBCreative »

Hell Razor5543 wrote: 30 Jul 2018, 16:02 May I suggest you contact AEP Direct? They know what they are on about, can supply most spheres, and (for orders over £50) they do free P&P;

http://www.aepdirect.com/

I have used them myself in the past, and was happy with the service. If you do decide to use them make sure you give them your reg number. That way they can check that the spheres you have ordered are the right ones for your car.



Do AEP ship to Ireland ?
BMBCreative
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My Cars: 1997 Citroen Xantia Desire Estate 1.9 TD
2010 Citroen C5 VTR 2.0 TD Estate
x 2

Re: Replacing Spheres on a 1997 Citroen Xantia Estate 1.9 TD

Post by BMBCreative »

white exec wrote: 30 Jul 2018, 16:03 Bryan, are you sure the spheres were "regassed", and not just replaced?
If they have been regassed, each sphere would be fitted with a chromed Valprex valve (with a green plastic protection cap) screwed into their tops, instead of the factory-original blanking cap (plain round thing, about 16mm diameter).

Valprex valve.jpg

If you do have the Valprex regassing widgets, regassing them again might be an option, if the spheres are still intact and haven't been run flat, although 10 years is pushing it by a factor of about two!

If any of the spheres are of the later grey flatter "saucer" type, they cannot be regassed, only replaced.

Saucer sphere.jpg

Do let us know VIN number, in any case.

Image
Image


Hi Chris,

Apologies I've been ill.

The Vin number is VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff] 17E00017E5109

I definitely think they were regassed rather than replaced & they're all the green ones.

I want to replace them now for longevity of the membranes etc., especially the back ones as they're getting quite hard now.
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white exec
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and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
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Re: Replacing Spheres on a 1997 Citroen Xantia Estate

Post by white exec »

If regassed, they will have a valve at the top, and not a round green stopper. If there's a valve there, re-gassing is an option, but if the spheres are really old (5 years+) then probably best replaced.
Hope you feeling fit again!
Chris
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Re: Replacing Spheres on a 1997 Citroen Xantia Estate 1.9 TD

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Here you go Bryan, sphere part numbers, volume and pressures.
SpherePart NoVolume Pressure
Front95666857400 CM355 Bars
Rear527240400 CM340 Bars
Anti Sink Sphere529303400 CM350 Bars
Accumulator Sphere95666763400 CM362 Bars
Here's a video of a DIY replacement - just thought I'd add this in whilst I was at it! :-D

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Marc
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Re: Replacing Spheres on a 1997 Citroen Xantia Estate 1.9 TD

Post by BMBCreative »

Hi Marc,

Thanks a mill for all that. That’s brilliant.
So do all Xantia’s (including my estate) have 6 spheres?
2 front, 2 back, an accumulator & an anti sink sphere?

Cheers,
Bryan
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Re: Replacing Spheres on a 1997 Citroen Xantia Estate 1.9 TD

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Standard non-hydractive systems have 6 spheres Bryan - one each corner, an accumulator and anti sink (although the anti sink function is really done using non-return valves to keep the pressure in the spheres). Xantia Hydractive systems add another front centre and rear centre sphere. These switch in and out according to road conditions or when in sport mode. Sport mode uses just the 4 corner spheres giving a firmer ride, whilst using the additional centre spheres will give a softer ride.

The Activa with ARCS (Active Roll Control System) actually has 10 spheres - but not all these are used for suspension purposes.
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Re: Replacing Spheres on a 1997 Citroen Xantia Estate 1.9 TD

Post by BMBCreative »

Great, it seems only the back is giving a hard ride. Mine is non hydra Five, Would I get away with replacing or do you think it’s better to replace all? I don’t think there is anywhere that can regas them around me at this stage.
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Re: Replacing Spheres on a 1997 Citroen Xantia Estate 1.9 TD

Post by GiveMeABreak »

If the rears have gone, then I would suggest the fronts and the other 2 would also benefit from new ones unless they have already been replaced.
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Marc
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and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: Replacing Spheres on a 1997 Citroen Xantia Estate 1.9 TD

Post by white exec »

Life of the traditional round green spheres is 3 years or so (without any re-gassing), with the anti-sink and Accumulator spheres maybe twice that, as they do less arduous work.
At 10 years, I'd really recommend replacing all of them.

Can't help with pointing up anyone near Limerick who might have re-gassing kit, but someone here just might just know, or you could talk to some independent Citroen workshops, who might have some info. Main Citroen dealers/agents tended not to get involved in re-gassing (which goes back decades), but some independents did.
Chris
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