softening the ride

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 9:52 pm

As my BX GTi auto is used as a general family transport around our increasingly pot-holed roads and my front spheres (at least) are due for a recharge/replacement, I was thinking about putting slightly softer spheres on it. I know it sounds a daft question, but as I know there are varying levels of 'softness' in the range, and I wondered what the next 'level' down would be? I believe TZD spheres are not GTi hard. Am I right?

What should I be asking for when getting these replacements? And - importantly - am I making a mistake? Should I stick with GTi spheres?

Ian_Fearn · Post by **Ian_Fearn** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 9:56 pm

TZD and GTi 8v spheres are the same.

Go for some 1.6/1.9 (non gti) spheres. I regret now putting new TZD/GTi spheres on mine. I want a more 'Citroenesque' ride quality that these spheres give.

The GTi auto will be ready for some spheres if we keep it after its MOT runs out and that will have the 1.6/1.9 spheres put on it.

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 9:12 pm

BX front 16/19/D - saloon/hatch - 500cc/55bar/1.80mm - Cit 95.630.572 - Lizarte BX55FC - GSF N45308.
A good general sphere fitting on front for a pot hole eater and very comfy ride.
I have this type fitted to both my turboEstate and BX16hatch.

Even better : ask for a BX "comfort" sphere type. They will provide even softer ride and eat more potholes - NOT giving a jerky ride.
If you want a jerky ride - then try fit BX14 standard spheres

(been there ... )

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 11:32 pm

'Comfort'. I like the sound of that.

BX Bandit · Post by **BX Bandit** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 9:07 am

'Comfort' does sound good....but where can we get these? I've even tried getting them for my even more 'in need of comfort spheres' for my Xa*tia.....IFHS swear Euro Car Parts do them but they've never heard of them in Cardiff..Anyone know?

(CZ)enda · Post by **(CZ)enda** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 10:20 am

Turning the standard non-GTi spheres to "Comfort" ones is, actually, very easy. I had this done when I had my spheres recharged.
He just drilled bigger hole, i.e. increased its diameter to that used before 1985 (I am not sure about the exact year, but it should be easy to find the data in the IFHS table - the company still makes these "softer" spheres).

Jaba · Post by **Jaba** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 10:30 am

Coincidentally I have just fitted some standard GSF N45308 to my TZD.
While they are obviously better than the flat ones they replaced they are I think a better bet than the harder standard ones for general use.

So thank you GSF for giving me the wrong ones.

tim leech · Post by **tim leech** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 10:43 am

Surely wont the comfort spheres make it handle like a hippo on skates and roll alarmingly!

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 11:38 am

I think compromise is the thing here. I reckon next level down in softness would be OK. My suspension chap says he'll fit standard 1.6/1.9 spheres for me to try out. If I don't like them we can always change back.

M · Post by M » Sat Sep 02, 2006 12:15 pm

My two penn'orth, I have BX estate spheres front & back on the BX saloon and the ride is superb, sure I cant cane it into corners like I could the ZX but its a compromise and the ride suits me. The Xantia has HDi / TD saloon fronts and TD Estste rears - again the ride is good and passenger comfort superb but handling on the twisty stuff does suffer a bit.

Its all a matter of preference, El Presedente has some 16V spheres on his and lowered his ride height a bit too, not my cup of Bovril, but makes the cars stance more sporty and Jon seems to be happy with the ride.

Kitch · Post by **Kitch** » Sun Sep 03, 2006 11:20 am

HAHA!

BX Bandit: You're entering a world of pain!

Love that film!

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » Sun Sep 03, 2006 2:29 pm

tim leech wrote:Surely wont the comfort spheres make it handle like a hippo on skates and roll alarmingly!

Nope -
The arb is responsible for anti-roll. The spheres are only to a lesser degree responsible for anti-roll - as there are no restrictions for the hydraulic fluid flowing from one side to the other.
I.e. exactly like a standard sprung car.

By drilling up the center bore - you will not change the "pothole behaviour" - only the floating of the suspension. The center bore is not responsible for the damping - only the low frequency boating or floating of the car. This means that by careful drilling you can in fact adjust the suspension much to your personal soft ride wishes.

The damper valve is the one that opens for a higher flow capacity (like a shocker) when you have one of those harsh suspension excursions from a pothole. This valve can not be altered - unless you replace the sphere for another type which will have this valve calibrated differently.

BX Bandit · Post by **BX Bandit** » Sun Sep 03, 2006 6:16 pm

Kitch this is not 'nam this is bowling there are rules....mark it zero

Kitch · Post by **Kitch** » Sun Sep 03, 2006 11:04 pm