Citroen Xantia 1.9 TD SX changing suspension spheres

[KleenezeDon]

why don't you show the complete process? too much talk and not enough action

[CORRIGEEN71]

great face for a gangster film

[MrMike657]

Hi Sir,On this video you send something about depressurizing the car but you did not tell which bolt or nut should be remove or doing it with the normal suspention lever.can you please give me a little on that side

[spidiq8]

@MrMike657 If you watch the video from 2:18 onwards you'll hear the procedure for depressurising the system, written it is: Start the engine, height adjuster to max, rear of car on ramps or over a pit, break the seal on the rear units, (both) with the wrench but only 1/2 turn max, set height adjuster to min, alow it to sink fully, let it run a little to make sure it's settled, engine off, unscrew and remove the unit, clean refit the new one with seal, tighten hand tight only.

[videoeditors]

Hi, great video, but I am not touching it myself. Could you advise what is the average cost to replace all spheres in Xantia HDI? Thank you.

[spidiq8]

@videoeditors I honestly couldn't give a precise amount, it depends on labour costs plus the garage getting the parts. bear in mind that a Citroen garage will insist on OEM, twice the price per sphere of aftermarket, they put their percentage on the part before they add labour which can be anywhere these days from 35 to 60GBP per hour.

You're probably looking at 2 to 3 hours for changing all 6 spheres with no hiccups encountered, maybe a little longer if changing LHM fluid.

[spidiq8]

@videoeditors I'd have a rethink on doing the job yourself, it's really not as complicated as you might think but i understand fully if you're wary, after all it is the hydraulic system. At the least however, i'd recommend you purchase your spheres from GSF car parts, (google) and have the garage fit them, you'll save lots and their aftermarket spheres are every bit as good as OEM. Check with your preferred garage on their hourly rate, if they'll fit provided parts and estimate. Hope this helps.

[ash7990]

Cant remeber if I have already commented or not, as I know I have seen this video before. Great video anyway.

What should I do if I cannot remove the rear spheres? Its on a newer Xantia (year 2000) but the rear spheres havnt been changed for absolutely ages - like 7 years + and they are seized!

[spidiq8]

@ash7990 You would need to break the seal by cracking them open while the system is under pressure, get the car up on ramps or over a pit, set the suspension to highest with engine running and using the proper removal tool, crack the seal on both, no more than a full turn on each though, then depressurise the system as per the manual and remove as normal. If you cannot move them with the proper tool and system under pressure then a specialist garage will need to address it. hope this is helpful.

[scottylad79]

great video for the spheres but have u got one for the 5th and sixth sphere`s.

i have a Citroen Xantia 1.9 TD LX estate 2 wheel drive and they all need replaced.

if its 4 wheel drive do u have 6 spheres and 2 wheel drive only 5 spheres. thanks in advance

[spidiq8]

@scottylad79 No video for the others. They have an Accumulator sphere, front of engine and a 6th one mid way along the axle at the rear, (I think this is for levelling / rear ride height purposes). This one requires a 9mm spanner, or flare nut wrench, if a spanner, a very good quality one!, undo the pipe going INTO the sphere FIRST like a brake line, then unscrew the sphere. Accumulator is bled with a 15mm? if memory serves, bolt then unscrewed much like the others, read the manual for procedure

[glup2glup]

It is not necessary to change spheres. Just refill them with azot.

[spidiq8]

@glup2glup It is if the diaphragm inside is ruined, also, recharging them is not straighforward as a valve needs to be fitted to the sphere, nor is the equipment required cheap, easy or straighforward and the spheres do have a finite lifespan, the rear ones on this were totally shot!

For a home mechanic completely changing the spheres is the easier, more guaranteed option.

[glup2glup]

@spidiq8 As your spheres are available, you can use them many years, like many owners of Citroen in France,like me, specialy wich are marqued by chevrons, diaphragm is made by Michelin with very good quality. The system Tecnosir C720 is considered here very reliable and cost is less 150 euros + azot. Watch it on youtube

[4x4OffroadFreak]

@glup2glup

don't breathe azot!

[ARCANOE]

Dear Gentleman:

Thank you for the video, is amazing, thanks for share you experience, i got a question for you, would youn please tell me when i must replace the espheres?.

Thank you.

[spidiq8]

@ARCANOE The spheres need to be replaced when the suspension fails to work acceptably well, push the corners (as you would to test the suspension and shock absorbers on another car), it should sag quite easily and return smoothly with no repeated bounce, if it bounces or is very hard and cannot be compressed easily you need to change the spheres. Typically they'll last 2 to 3 years depending on how the car is used

[KleenezeDon]

Essential info missing here

[spidiq8]

@KleenezeDon Could you clarify that statement please?

If I am missing anything essential i'm unaware of the fact and certainly cannot rectify if I don't know!

[spidiq8]

@thierryanna Glad to be of help

[bababooey7576]

how often do these need replacing? mileage? are these things just over complicated suspension junk or were they actually a decent invention?

[spidiq8]

@bababooey7576 Typical useage about once every three years, they're not mileage dependant, more the kind of use they get, like any suspension if used regularly with heavy loads and / or on rough terrain it wear's more quickly.

Theres nothng complicated about the Citroen hydropneumatic system, no more so than hydraulic brakes e.g.

I've NEVER driven a normally suspended car which gives as good a ride, they surpass any other type of suspension & i've driven several luxury cars as a mechanic too.

[spidiq8]

@bababooey7576 Additionally, the only reason they need replacement is that they go hard rather than conventional systems going soft, you've likely been in several cars whose suspension is well past it's best and in desperate need of replacement but been unaware as weaker springs, more sag and wallow and knackered shocks are not as evident as hard suspension units.

[bababooey7576]

@spidiq8 Thanks for the info. interesting stuff. Haven't seen a Citroen here in Canada for ages. I remember the old skool ones. saw it raise up at the gas station it was at. eons ago.

[b191191]

@spidiq8 I totally concur,

my grandad has a citroen xantia 1.8 petrol which was getitng uncomfortable to drive on the poor quality roads, my uncle told him just to get the spheres replaced as when they get older the rubber inside them becomes hard and therefore looses its bouncyness.

now they have been replaced his 1997 xantia drives nearly as good as my uncles citroen c6.

i also have never been in a car with as good suspension as citroens.

it also acts as sound insulation from the road

[spidiq8]

@thierryanna Non OEM are fine, get them from a reputable source like GSF though,

gsfcarparts(dot)com

I personally wouldn't risk something like this from ebay unless it wasa boxed sealed unused OEM part, don't forget, the hydraulic system covers everything, brakes and all.

The most essential component for making this job easy is the sphere removal wrench.

[CSSSOLIVEIRA]

Hey, very nice video, very helpful. It's very simple!

I live in Brazil and here almost all the Xantias have bad spheres. They are very expensive to change.

Before starting the change, does the car need to go to lowest position? Or did you change them during normal position?

Thanks.

[spidiq8]

@CSSSOLIVEIRA Put to highest position, (rear on stands or over a pit), slightly loosen the sphere while it's under pressure but only a thread or so, with engine running, set to lowest and once settled fully, switch off engine and remove fully, be careful on last few threads just in case the diaphragm has split as it will have a lot of fluid in.

[buckegit]

Hi you say the 12mm nut needs slackened ..... you dont actually show it .... I am fairly good with spanners but i dont know where the accumulator sphere is ??

[spidiq8]

@buckegit Accumulator sphere is dead front of the engine behind the radiator, if you delve down there you literally cannot miss it, it's the big green round thing same as the suspension units, the bit it screws into is where the 12mm bleed screw is.

[f1carl]

if you have a tutorial, how change the towers of the suspension.

[spidiq8]

@f1carl Sorry, no tutorial on that one, however, hydraulic sphere and pipes aside, it shouldn't be anymore complicated than changing something like a macpherson strut

[magialogica]

Hi, Definitely you take the mystery off in the changing of suspension spheres for the Xantia. Hope to follow your instructions next time I need to change them. This time I went to a Citroen service and it was expensive as hell!. I perfectly understood your fantastic English accent. Thanks very much. From Colombia, Carlos A.

[spidiq8]

@magialogica Glad to be of help Carlos, and all the better if it encourages you to do the job yourself and save some money in the process, garage labour fees are pricey indeed, if they're just changed you should be good for 2-3 years though. Certainly don't be put off, the only special tool you need is the wrench you can buy or make them easily enough, only thing to reiterate, be careful under the car and use ramps to raise it.

[natntaz1]

Hi can tell me if my xantia is very bouncy is it the suspension spears that need changing ?

[spidiq8]

@natntaz1 Depends exactly what you mean, the hydraulic Citroens are supposed to be bouncy and float, if the suspension doesn't move when you press on it the spheres are shot, if it travels and bounces it should be OK, maybe post a video so we can see what it's doing?

[f1carl]

hello again, sorry but i don't understand well, couse i speak spanish, when i changing suspension sphere, is whith engine on or off, and if the suspesion is the lowest normal or hightest, othe question when you make this lose LHM? is necesary buy LHM?

[spidiq8]

@f1carl Start engine, lift to highest, LOOSEN about half a turn ONLY, (rear units), set to lowest setting with engine running, switch off then unscrew them fully using a plastic bag to catch the unit and any fluid. If you lose a deal you'll need to check the level and refill after you've replaced all the spheres and cycled the suspension a few times up and down to re-pressurize the system.

This is done in the big square box under the bonnet.

Hope this helps a bit.

[f1carl]

@spidiq8 yeah very helpfull, thank you so much if you know more about xantia upload more vid, thank you so much

[spidiq8]

@f1carl Do not remove them fully with engine running and suspension at top as they are under an enourmous amount of pressure.

[negermord]

I'd recommend loosening the rear suspension spheres slightly with the suspension in the highest position (i.e. with MAX PRESSURE). This will prevent the hydraulic cylinders from turning with the spheres, which results in broken pipes and other expensive nastiness. Then lower the suspension, de-pressurise, and twist off the spheres completely.

If you don't do this, then you'd better have some(thing/one) that can hold the hydrocylinders completely fixed while you fight the spheres!

[spidiq8]

@negermord This has also been mentioned by other people and I do in fact say this in the video, this being the method I used, check 2:16, you can also utilise a hefty stilson wrench to hold the hydraulic fitting while undoing the sphere.

[doromanekia]

i use the chiesel on my bx 16 acumulator sphere no prob just wack it and remove no space to get at otherwise paul mage the lizard of citroen did that system

[TK42138]

With the spheres' just cracked off a tad' remove axle stands and depressurise using the method in manual and/or the video depending on age and type of Xantia. I also always use ramps under the rear wheels since when the car has been put to lowest setting you can still get to the spheres. Always remember use wheel chocks, (handbrake works on front wheels), and axle stands. Never work on a car with just a jack - especially ones with hydro-pneumatic suspension.

[TK42138]

Once the spheres have moved a degree or two - STOP. Very important. You only need enough movement to break the dirt/corrosion seal that forms on old or high mileage Xantias and similar. I then drip a few drops of Plusgas or WD40 along the sphere to strut boundary, then go and have a cup of tea. There shouldn't be any leaks at this point even with system pressurised since the amount of sphere movement is very slight. Remember it's only enough to allow WD40 to 'creep' in the tiny gap.

[TK42138]

With the method shown in the video, you must be certain and strong enough to prevent the strut from turning otherwise the old metal pipes can twist then fracture. I've seen quite a few Xantias and XM's condemned to a scrappy because the rear spheres were 'frozen on'

Both methods are good but my method is definately for advanced or experienced DIY'ers.

[TK42138]

Good instructional video.

There's another method where the car is put to highest position to load up the rear spheres. Then carefully unwind spheres by a couple of millimetres - no more. This is just enough to break the corrosion and road grime 'seal' that normally seizes the sphere to the strut. This method prevents damage to the strut and pipework since with the weight on the struts, they won't twist when undoing the spheres.

[karldgirly]

could you make a video on how to do the accumulator and the anti sink spheres?

[spidiq8]

I can't really do that for you just now, (we're in Scotland in November, need I say more), also I changed the anti sink at the same time as the spheres.

I can however send you a mail explaining the process, the A/S is slightly different but not too much so and the accumulator is pretty much the same procedurally.

[Rysiek80]

oryginal radio is 2 channel, not 4

[karldgirly]

If that wouldnt be too much trouble id really appreciate it

[f1carl]

Mike thank you, ihave a xantia 95 2.0 i you can help me to put the rear speakers in the rear doors, last time i try but no sound, thank you

[spidiq8]

Electrics are not my forte on vehicles but i'd say it has to be a fairly straightforward connection problem, speakers are connected by twin core wires which correspond to the rear of the stereo.

Check your wiring to the speakers and then locate the corresponding wires on the rear of the stereo, if both connected check the wires for continuity / breaks, hope this helps

[f1carl]

Thanks i`ll try today

[frenchcarforum]

Excellent video Mike!

Very informative!

[spidiq8]

Thanks.

Gathered quite a bit of helpful info from frenchcarforum, well worth a read, (why doesn't youtube allow you to add links to useful sites, infuriating)

[bokicar1]

Hi spidiq8,

I just changed front pair of spheres today and car now drives fine. I am sorry I didnt make the video of it as it would be very useful as your video is. BTW one sphere unscrewed easy but second not a budge. But after light chisel action it worked.

Many thanks for your video and email.

[bokicar1]

Hi spidiq8 and others that read this,

Wandered if you can help. I have xsantia and recently ride became bouncy, and its bouncy on all 4 wheels. I thought may be the problem with suspension sphere or two, but it wouldnt be on all 4 wheels at the same time, would it?

Hope you would have some suggestion.

Regards,

[spidiq8]

Did you get the mail I sent? Just occurred I never heard back so just curious.

Will mention too

frenchcarforumdotcodotuk a good resource

[lezbriddon]

ha ha i know what you mean, i find crawling round under them to be thereapy and the chisels are stress relief......

not been on two wheels since about 90, i may try three wheels next, i have a 2.1td motor in the shed just need a front end and maybe....

[lezbriddon]

how much rust?

you not heard of waxoyl!

apart from that 5 stars for doing this, and dont knock the chisels (no pun intended) i've managed to break a sphere tool before now removing a rear.

[spidiq8]

Hey, it's a practicalities thing, the cars 15 yrs old and it's a box on wheels which gets me from A to B and allows me to carry stuff, my passion on on the 2 wheel side of things, having been a mechanic i do as little crawling under cars as possible these days, it's worth about £600 whether waxoyled or not :)

Re the chisels, I just don't like the idea, like hitting a hand grenade with a hammer for fun.!!!!