How often to change the spheres

DavidRutherford · Post by **DavidRutherford** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 1:24 pm

MULLEY wrote:Sorry Kiwi, i got the wrong end of the stick. They dont re-charge the one's already on the car.

Some of them they do. GS(a) rear and CX rear spheres are a mare to remove, so they tend to be re-charged in situ. Much easier than removing them.

DLM · Post by **DLM** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 1:42 pm

A regassed sphere is only ever as good as the diaphragm inside - so it logically follows that only known-good spheres with known history are candidates for a regas.

Regassing's a topic that's been covered in many Citroen forums over the years, principally at times before aftermarket manufacturers started to supply spheres well below Citroen's prices - though I'm well aware of it as a viable option if you're some distance from commercial suppliers or if carriage and logistics problems exist. I can't remember the exact score on the possibility of replacing diaphragms - except that major surgery would logically have to take place (in highly controlled circumstances). I haven't looked at Westroen's website in a while to see exactly what they do, but I understand they're well-respected.

I bought a BX with a regassed accumulator on it a couple of years back. That one came off as quickly as was humanly possible as it was a completely unknown quantity and I had no intention of risking failure of the diaphragm due to diaphragm age or condition. I'd be reluctant to fit even a newly reconditioned accumulator.

However, if it works for personal circumstances there's nothing wrong with regassed suspension spheres in my opinion (bearing in mind my first sentence).

I have a couple of suspension spheres in the junk pile with the regas valves fitted which came off previous BXs - but I've never been tempted to experiment or remove the valves due to the reasons above, a lack of proper facilities and regassing equipment, and of course the safety precautions needed to depressurise them anyway. Apologies if that's all a bit long-winded.

velosolex50 · Post by **velosolex50** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 7:12 pm

So we should park up with the suspension set to low each time? Good exercise for the rest of the system too.
Huw

DavidRutherford · Post by **DavidRutherford** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 7:22 pm

TBH I'd say quite the opposite. Park in high every time and ensure that the struts/cylinders are kept working over their entire range. Spheres are fairly cheap and easy to change. Struts and cylinders aren't.

velosolex50 · Post by **velosolex50** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 8:01 pm

Saves waiting for it to pump up too. Come to think of it, if the susp is left on low, there is less in reserve for the brakes on subsequent startup, and if there is a slow leak of pressure somewhere, you could end up setting off with no effective footbrake for a few seconds.

kiwi · Post by **kiwi** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 8:19 pm

So would you say 90,000km and 9 years is a pretty good run for a set of spheres?

Having two BXs to drive you start to notice the subtle differances between them. I m considering a frontal sphere swap just to satisfy my curiosity of if they are needing a change.

One the reasons was asking about the valve attachments is never seen that set up before.

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 8:34 pm

I'm amazed they've lasted 9 years, perhaps its the climate that you have which means the nitrogen leaks out very slowly. Or you're so used to them that when you put some new one's on you might not like the soft floaty feel

Tecar · Post by **Tecar** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 9:30 pm

kiwi wrote: One the reasons was asking about the valve attachments is never seen that set up before.

That's probably because they are ATM valves from Hamilton - Designed and manufactured in NZ. They were widely available at Citroen specialists in NZ.

The idea behind these valves was that once they were fitted to good spheres, you got the pressure topped up every couple of years. The fact that they could be re-pressurized on the car meant that this was a quick and relatively inexpensive process - costing a fraction of the price of a new sphere.

If you didn't re-pressurize every couple of years, and waited until the ride was noticeably firmer, the chances are that the sphere would be damaged and although it would probably take pressure, its life would be much reduced.

DLM · Post by **DLM** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 10:13 pm

[quoteSo would you say 90,000km and 9 years is a pretty good run for a set of spheres? [/quote]

That's VERY good life, kiwi . A set of lucky ones maybe - on the principle that everyone who runs hydro-cits over a long period eventually fits some spheres that seem to last forever. Or maybe long-term owners treat their cars with more respect?

Out of curiosity -are the long-lifers the recharged ones pictured or the spheres on another BX?

kiwi · Post by **kiwi** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 12:03 am

Tecar wrote:
kiwi wrote: One the reasons was asking about the valve attachments is never seen that set up before.
That's probably because they are ATM valves from Hamilton - Designed and manufactured in NZ. They were widely available at Citroen specialists in NZ.

The idea behind these valves was that once they were fitted to good spheres, you got the pressure topped up every couple of years. The fact that they could be re-pressurized on the car meant that this was a quick and relatively inexpensive process - costing a fraction of the price of a new sphere.

If you didn't re-pressurize every couple of years, and waited until the ride was noticeably firmer, the chances are that the sphere would be damaged and although it would probably take pressure, its life would be much reduced.

Thanks Tecar now thats cleared up the mystery for me on those spheres. Since those spheres featured in the picture were fitted 10,000km ago and nearly 2 years ago it could be safe to assume that they are in good working order and worthwhile being redone.

Would that be Skelners by any chance that does the regasing? If so you any idea of the cost to have it redone?

Mulley you cheeky blighter

DLM, Sorry no the ones in the Picture are from our latest BX addition hence the question. The ones I suspect are 9 years Old are from our first NZ BX going by a receipts found for the owner before last back in 2000. Probably why I got the impression they are 9 years old? The last owner prior to me had the car for 4 years and I ave had it just over 2 1/2 years. It is possible the previous owner changed them as well as he worked for Citroen although he only cover 20,000kms in the time he owned it.

Because the ride on this BX is getting a bit firmer and as Mulley pointed out the softer floaty feel is more apparent on the car with the valves its one the reasons for asking.

I am tempted to swap these spheres over to the original BX since the history is a bit more clearer. Does that make any sense?

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 12:09 am

Give them a try, if my bouncy suspension thread is anything to go by

Tecar · Post by **Tecar** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 7:17 pm

kiwi wrote: Would that be Skelners by any chance that does the regasing? If so you any idea of the cost to have it redone?

Not sure, ATM engineering made them, but Alan Sklenar probably does them.
Auto France (Auckland) definitely does them,
but I can't help with a costing though, as it's been a while since we were in the country.
Some one on here might give you an idea on cost, however the quickest way would be to give them ring.