Sphere removal tool

[Willy]

Hard to tell, but does anybody know if this is the real deal?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Citroen-spher ... 19e4f7099a" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And, whilst I'm here, what are the best spheres (naturally within affordability limits) out there? I'm looking to do all five (again, are they all the same?)

Thanks.

[mat_fenwick]

It doesn't look like the real thing, but may well work equally well.

Best spheres? Define 'best'! Do you mean the best type of sphere (in which case what sort of ride/handling compromise are you after?), which make, or whether to go for new or re-con?

[RxBX]

Hard to tell, but does anybody know if this is the real deal?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Citroen-spher ... 19e4f7099a" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And, whilst I'm here, what are the best spheres (naturally within affordability limits) out there? I'm looking to do all five (again, are they all the same?)

Thanks.

Its NOT the official Citroen garage tool (As I own one), but I'd dare say that the E-bay item will not fail as it looks more robust than the official Citroen garage tool !

But just to put your mind at rest have you not checked the sellers FEED-BACK left by those folk which have bought this tool from them (As they've sold quite a few) ?



.

[Willy]

It doesn't look like the real thing, but may well work equally well.

Best spheres? Define 'best'! Do you mean the best type of sphere (in which case what sort of ride/handling compromise are you after?), which make, or whether to go for new or re-con?

Soft.

My current ones iirc are stamped "2001" so I think it's about time, although the tick time isn't too bad.

I just wondered if there was a "recommended" aftermarket supplier, ie GSF, Pleiades that members have the most luck with.

Seem a bit expensive anyway considering Westroen.com says 5 sphere replacement for £150

[Tinkley]

Generally the front ones are not hard - even a BOA rubber strap will loosen them. The rears though are a diferent kettle of fish - that tool would NOT have removed a couple of mine for sure though maybe with a 3' tube lever on it.... That's how tough they can be. Accumulator is normally OK too. BTW I had knackered spheres in less than 4 years (and 40k) so your 2001 spheres are more than well past their sell by..

Had one set do about 65-70k though before now, most reasonable. The AEP ones recommended by other forum members are good and fresh in date terms too. Reasonable price as well.

[mat_fenwick]

Good recent experiences with both Westroen and the IFS spheres from AEP. I went for comfort spheres from the latter (not listed on the website but they were able to obtain from the IFS catalogue). No problems with the Amtex from GSF either, but the last ones I bought in 2008 so maybe less relevant now.

FWIW, I had a NOS genuine Citroen rear sphere fail on me in less than a year...no idea of the fill date but they felt fine when first fitted, so presumably OK on pressure.

[Thread Bear]

What is the average price of 4 'shock absorbers' dampers on an ordinary car? £150 does not sound so expensive then. You can go to one of the places that re charge the spheres and save a bit. The point is, though, the comfort of new spheres is akin to freshly ironed sheets on a bed. You just do not want to get out and go and do boring things like work. As one of the guys said a while ago, it is a longer lived service item on these cars, you kind of have to live with it.

Tool looks interesting as it is not at silly money.

[citronut]

the tool in that link is a steel band with a nut welded to the side, and a bolt screwed into/through the nut,

so all that is clamping the sphere will be the bolt tip, which in turn pulls the other side of the band against the spphere,

the OE tool which also i belive the Pleiades tool is similar construction,
which is a split steel band with a pinch bolt to tighten the band around the sphere, and a length of square bar for the handle,

i usually attach this tool to the sphere and give the handle one sharp blow with a lump hammer,
works on most spheres,

i have this type and also a Stanley 30cm pipe chain wrench,
both of of these tools i have used a 2 foot length of scaffold tube on if and when required

regards malcolm

[themildbunch]

I have the tool listed in the eBay ad - bought it a couple of years ago - home made but fairly well done... not the strongest design....

I used it on a very tough acc. sphere which it did remove but the metal band distorted considerably when tightening up the clamping bolt.. maybe this is meant to happen and helps hold the sphere but I doubt it...

It did work though and didn't break so probably worth getting if you have no other options and don't want to resort to chisels and hammers!

[KevR]

I use this:


Works a treat, even on rears that have been on for many years.

[Willy]

Good recent experiences with both Westroen and the IFS spheres from AEP. I went for comfort spheres from the latter (not listed on the website but they were able to obtain from the IFS catalogue). No problems with the Amtex from GSF either, but the last ones I bought in 2008 so maybe less relevant now..

Well, since the price of garage spheres is roughly that of DIY, can anybody recommend anywhere other than Pleiades or Westroen?

[rutter123]

any decent motor factors should be able to obtain spheres, cafco,gsf,euro car parts etc etc, but as said above AEP are a good known source now and do seem to keep a better variety of spheres, or failing that a nice drive out to plaedies for some regassed units and they will even fit them a few pounds more so you can drive home in comfort. beware of some units supplied by gsf as i have had them go flat in 6 months but replaced foc.