Bouncy Front Suspension

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bx16trs
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Bouncy Front Suspension

Post by bx16trs »

Newbie here - at least to the forum but not the BX! Have had a white 1986 16TRS hatch auto since 1989 and still going strong and I use it very infrequently as emergency transport. However, and thanks to the forum, I have only just understood that the suspension spheres have high pressure inert gas in them and it leaks over a couple of years (usually), necessitating regular replacement. I last did my front spheres at least 5 years ago (!) so perhaps my problem is not surprising. Having looked through the threads I have concluded that, if the gas leaks away, then the suspension becomes hard (and bouncy?). My problem is that my front suspension has become incredibly bouncy (not sure if hard as well - difficult to tell when you are going up and down like a yo-yo!) - it really does bounce with little apparent damping. Does this sound like the spheres or something else?
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Re: Bouncy Front Suspension

Post by Kitch »

Sounds like spheres. The less gas you have, the harder the ride gets.
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Re: Bouncy Front Suspension

Post by Tinkley »

One easy test is after the car has run and is at full height, try pushing the front wing down. Bet it is very hard......
and yes that will be the spheres, as well as an MOT failure!. Try AEP, for replacements and don't forget the Accumulator one as well as this can give another set of problems.
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Re: Bouncy Front Suspension

Post by rutter123 »

At least the front ones are the easiest to change, GSF are quite reasonably priced at about £25 a corner and £30 for the accumulator sphere, will transform your ride.
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Re: Bouncy Front Suspension

Post by citronut »

Tinkley wrote:One easy test is after the car has run and is at full height, try pushing the front wing down. Bet it is very hard......
i hope so otherwise she aint reached full height!!! :twisted: :o #-o :) :lol: :wink:

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Re: Bouncy Front Suspension

Post by Kitch »

citronut wrote:
Tinkley wrote:One easy test is after the car has run and is at full height, try pushing the front wing down. Bet it is very hard......
i hope so otherwise she aint reached full height!!! :twisted: :o #-o :) :lol: :wink:

regards malcolm
I was just thinking that!
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Re: Bouncy Front Suspension

Post by Tim Leech »

Welcome, being a 1986 it could be a Mk1 or MK2, do you have a picture

As the guys say, its most probably worn spheres, 5 years can be about the time they need changing.

Had this on a Xantia I bought recently, it was if the car was underdamped and the car would wallow, new spheres fitted and she's gliding again.
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Re: Bouncy Front Suspension

Post by Tinkley »

Well the last one I bought, had only the front tyres for suspension all the way from Chesterfield to home some 200 miles even though the car was at 'normal' ride height....
I bought new spheres the next day!.
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Re: Bouncy Front Suspension

Post by bx16trs »

Thanks for the input on this; I will do the push-down suspension tip first and then go on to sphere replacement. I have a couple of new ones 'in stock' but maybe they will have 'aged' insofar as the gas content is concerned - will have to see. Will take me a couple of weeks as I am away from the BX currently - will also get a few pics then as well. Many thanks.
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Re: Bouncy Front Suspension

Post by Kaapelimies »

You can test the spheres before installing them. But basically the pressure of the spheres stays when stored on the shelf.
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Re: Bouncy Front Suspension

Post by bx16trs »

It has taken a whole lot longer to get back to this than I expected :oops: - amazing how life gets in the way! Another question ref my front sphere replacement. I was just going to change them over and discovered that my 'in-stock' spheres are 'rear' ones - are front/rear ok to interchange? Will also get some pics organised. TIA
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Re: Bouncy Front Suspension

Post by Tim Leech »

They aren't unfortunately, they will fit but wont have enough damping as the fronts are uprated to take the extra weight of the engine etc.

I would get some new ones bought, at £50 a pair they aren't that pricey.
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Re: Bouncy Front Suspension

Post by bx16trs »

I just KNEW it....Thanks Tim
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Re: Bouncy Front Suspension

Post by Tim Leech »

Apparently IFHS ones which are manufactured in Italy are very good.
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Re: Bouncy Front Suspension

Post by Tinkley »

If I remember rightly the IFHS ones I got from AEP were of Belgian manufacture. With the pavé there you can understand why they need good suspension..... :wink:
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