Spheres and Pads

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tonyb1
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Spheres and Pads

Post by tonyb1 »

I've just put the Xantia 1.9 TD LX in for it's service and I've been quoted over £400 [:0] for 4 x new spheres and 4 x new Pads supplied and fitted [?]. Apparently mine are on there way out but still ok for the MOT test. I've obviously told them to just get it through the MOT, I'll worry about the speres and pads later [V] .
I'm not techincally minded to do it myself and know nothing about prices. Is this quote bad [?] What is the average cost to get this done, I'd really appreciate some advice on this.
tomsheppard
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Post by tomsheppard »

Four new spheres. Just look at the online shop from Home on this site. Change from £100. Pads for both ends of the car about £20. Time: spend half an hour on this site doing research on checking and changing spheres. Choose your preferred method and you can do all four in well under 2 hours, even if it is your first time, maybe half that. Spend £30 on the tool (which you might be able to hire)and it will be all four in a teabreak. Then you'll be a Brother of the Green Orb, smug in the satisfaction of knowing that Citroens are neither expensive to run or difficult to maintain. Your garage may be having you over. At &18 a throw and 5 minutes typically to change, I'll bet they have seen you coming. If you are technically minded enough to change a fuse in a plug, you can do this yourself.
bxbodger
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Post by bxbodger »

It seems like a huge amount of money to me!!! Any more work and you are starting to get into paying more than the car is worth!! I have never paid to have this sort of work done: why not have a go yourself??As long as you have a decently large chain wrench-mine was about £14-you could do all the spheres in under an hour- there's lots of advice on here if you get stuck!!
Same with the pads; just do one side at a time, that way if you get a bit confused about re-assembly, just look at the other side.15-20 mins is about all it should take for your first one if you have never done them before.A Haynes manual is ideal for this sort of work.
Go on-give it a try-all you can do is save a fortune!!!!!"
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tonyb1
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Post by tonyb1 »

I think you're both right, I'll get myself a Haynes manual, buy the bits and give it a go, I had a strange feeling they had seen me coming. Cheers chaps!
tomsheppard
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Post by tomsheppard »

As you can see, There are plenty of us out here who will be only too happy to help!
bxbodger
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Post by bxbodger »

One further point; ignore the Haynes book advice about loosening the spheres with the system de-pressurised; do it under pressure;its a lot easier-just a quarter turn to loosen them, THEN depressurise, and unscrew them the rest of the way. Best of luck,and all the neighbours will think you are a top F1 trained mechanic because thats what they think you need to be just to open a Citroen bonnet!!
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Post by JohnCKL »

Seems that Haynes manual is not as helpful nowadays. Get the manual from Peter Russek and is called pocket mechanic vehicle manual. Read about it in a thread called 'Excellent Repair Manuals' in page 5.
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tonyb1
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Post by tonyb1 »

Hi to all again, just got the MOT passed :-) the report states that I will shortly need:
Front Brake discs, rear drums, front and rear pads. Am i right in assuming that the 'drums' are the spheres? If this is the case then I only need the two, and not four as I was told earlier on over the phone. I'm going to do it all myself (brave!!) but looking at the parts to buy on this website there are lots of diferent types of pad / disc / sphere. Could anyone take a look and let me know exactly what I should order. My car is a 1994 Xantia 1.9 TD LX. I don't want to order the wrong parts and would really appreciate the help. Cheers.
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Post by tomsheppard »

Drums are not spheres! These are brake parts. Ask at your local GSF branch. They are both knowledgeable and helpful. Rear brakes are drums and shoes. If you are very new to this, I would farm this out to your local fast fit firm but compare prices first. It is not the ideal beginners job.
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JamesQB
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Post by JamesQB »

I need new brake discs and pads for the front of my Xantia 1.8 16V but I don't know which discs to get from GSF as the 'All Xantias' set goes on to exclude the 16V on the online shop.
Got the same problem with pads. I want to get and fit them soon cos the brakes are seriously duff. Some blonde idiot took a turning near here on my side of the road, I stomped as hard as I could on the brakes and only just stopped. She didn't even slow down...
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tonyb1
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Post by tonyb1 »

Why on earth they said spheres on the phone I don't know??? When I read the report it didn't mention them. Sorry for my lack of knowledge but reading this forum has got me interested in it as opposed to handing the car to a mechanic every 6 months. I'm living and learning. Cheers Tom.
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Post by myheadhurts »

I think your garage is definitely taking the p*** as I don't think any model of xantia has drum brakes on the rear they all have disc brakes all round.I would certainly shop around for advice on wether or not the discs/pads need changing now , you may get another couple of thousand miles out of them.I know from experience ( a friend owns a fastfit/mot centre) that certain places will try and "shaft" less mechanically minded people.If you don't mind spending a few quid on tools and reading up on the jobs to be done you'll find them easy enough , there's always someone who will give advice on here plus if you do it yourself at least you know it's been done right.GOOD LUCK[:D]
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Post by Paulxmski »

In one of the threads `noz ' tells how to make a sphere wrench out of some square section , threaded bar and nuts which will save the money for the wrench!
philhoward

Post by philhoward »

If replacing the discs then it's necessary to replace the pads as well. GSF is definately the place to get them; you may be able to get them cheapre at your local factors, but I doubt you'll get OEM parts! I've had discs and pads for both my Xantia and BX; the bits have been either Brembo, Bendix or Lucas Girling; not cheap makes! This is all of course assuming you do actually need them! There are no drums fitted to a Xantia...
As for the spheres, well! As others have said, they're only £20-ish a piece. You could take the car to an independant specialist (where are you? - maybe we can recommend one..) and get them checked over, or change them knwoing you'll not have to worry for another 3-5 years (the normal supposed lifespan)
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tonyb1
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Post by tonyb1 »

Hi Phil, I live in Rochester, Kent just off the A2/M2. It states clearly Rear Drums on the report. Makes me wonder!!! I know that there's a Citroen place near me, are the actual Citroen dealers expensive? If you can recommend one I'd be obliged. Many thanks. I got my M.O.T. at the Nationwide Autocentre - (you have been warned!!!!)
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