Front suspension spheres

[citrus]

Hi all,
Have just acquired a 1988 Bx 19trs auto estate, one owner and garaged all its life 41,000 miles.

I am in the process of purchasing two front suspension spheres 400cm3 55bar citroen part no 96024568. Can any one tell me if these are correct for my car.

Many thanks Chris

[Tim Leech]

I would check on GSF website or call them and they will advise.

you wont need the uprated GTI/Turbo diesel type

[Defender110]

Yess 55's are right, all the info you need here, I have used and recommend them.

http://www.sphere-shop.co.uk/b-x-522-c.asp

[mat_fenwick]

Interestingly, this suggests that part number has the 1.4 mm damper orifice which was fitted to the 1988 onwards GTi. It's not an exhaustive list but looks like 95630572 is the original fitment.

[mds141]

Am I right in thinking that the higher the pressure, the softer the sphere, or is it vice versa?

[mat_fenwick]

It's the opposite way around, but (possibly counter-intuitively) the smaller the volume, the faster the spring rate rises (i.e. the amount by which it gets stuffer through the travel). So a smaller sphere can afford to be run at a lower (softer) pressure as it will firm up to a greater extent before bottoming out. So you can run softer suspension with the same travel.

This is ignoring damping however, to make life simpler! But a small damping orifice will make it stiffer by a fixed amount throughout the travel.

[mds141]

I'm running 55 bar all round on the Valver and it feels like the optimum set up for general road use, floaty - but not too wallowy.
It'd be interesting to find out what pressures the 4TC rally car was using.

[hilarystone]

On my 16V I am running:
Front
Xantia2.0i/1.9TD rear
96 178 590
400/30/1.00 regassed to 45


Rear
XM Hydractive front
96 065 505
400/50/0.6 regassed to 30

My main objective was to retain the standard spring rate but with quite a bit more damping… For me it works fine; it works best when you are driving hard. Its especially good on the Welsh back roads which are very undulating. Driving slower it feels noticeably harder than standard 16V spheres. Handling is now very neutral but I do also have a Quaife limited slip diff and how much a part this plays is difficult to judge.

[Defender110]

Interestingly, this suggests that part number has the 1.4 mm damper orifice which was fitted to the 1988 onwards GTi. It's not an exhaustive list but looks like 95630572 is the original fitment.

The estate is showing 9 & 10; 1.8 & 1.65mm?

[mat_fenwick]

Yes, number 9 what I am referring to with 95630572 although you are right in that 1988 could be number 10 too.

It was the OP's part number of 95630572 which matches up with a GTi sphere.