C5 mk2 front one sided suspension stiff - change sphere?

[bjocan]

Hi,

I have two part question.

I have a C5 mk2 with hydractive 3 (not +) suspension. On the front drivers side the suspension is completely stiff, the other side and the back seems to be normal. The lowering and heightening of the car is working correctly. From what I gathered from googling and reading this forum it is likely a broken sphere that needs to be replaced. Is this correct or should I be checking something else first before I change the sphere?

I don't have a Lexia so I can't electronically depressurize the system. However, from reading the Haynes workshop manual I seem to be able to do it by opening the bleed screws front and back (first lower the car off course). But do I really need to open the back bleed screw if I'm only changing a front sphere? Is it not enough to just open the front bleed screw? I'm asking since the front bleed screw is much more accessible for me who does not have a car lift.

Sorry for bad spelling, english is not my native language.

Regards
Björn

[Gregor]

Front and rear are somewhat connected into the same system, so... I would depresurise bolth ends.

[GiveMeABreak]

The front and rear axles can be depressurised separately.

So the vehicle can be lowered and the front hydraulic circuit depressurised, then afterwards the sphere can be replaced.

For Hydractive H3 only (not H3+):

• Start the engine.
• Set the height control to the "LOW" position.
• Stop the engine

.

Front suspension: Undo the detensioning screw (1) by one turn.
Wait for the pressure in the hydraulic circuit to fall fully.

Rear suspension: Undo the detensioning screw (2) by one turn.
Wait for the pressure in the hydraulic circuit to fall fully.

[bjocan]

Thanks for the explanation and the pictures. I have now located the bleed screw in the engine compartment. My next problem is that I can't get the sphere to move. I've read that it is best to "crack" it first with the suspension in the top position before you set the suspension to low, depressurise the system, and remove the sphere. But I could not get the sphere to move at all, even with a big oil filter removal tool.

[GiveMeABreak]

Caution and perseverance I'm afraid....

[cit-rotti]

Hello,
Actually, the front balls are easy to loosen, but the rear balls are more difficult.
If the balls cannot be loosened easily, then the first small piece of rotation should be done at maximum pressure = highest driving position - then release all pressure and unscrew the balls.
Citroen has a special tool for this - a good chain spanner also works.
If necessary, the "Russian method" helps - maximum pressure - make a notch in the ball with a strong chisel and then hit it hard with the chisel in the "open" dira hammer drill also works.